Something Different

OXFORD, Miss- Covering hard-hitting stories about tornado-tattered Smithville, Miss and soldiers diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder from the war does not stop University of Mississippi alumna Sandra Knispel. There is something different about the two-time winner of the national Edward R. Murrow Award.

“What you gain from turning off the recorder is so much more,” said Knispel.

Knipel’s passion for covering emotional stories was obvious to the audience gathered in Farley journalism building as it would be with anyone she talks with about it. A packed room of journalism students was eager to listen to what Knispel had to say during a Meek week event at the University of Mississippi.

Her advice about experience in hard-hitting news stories is different than what textbooks say about how to act during emotional interviews.

“By crying along its okay… it shows you’re only human and take their story seriously,” said Knispel.

 Knispel turns the recorder off if the person interviewed begins to cry showing that she really cares about their story not just covering the story.

“At the beginning of the interview make sure you let them know that they can stop the interview whenever they want or feel uncomfortable,” said Knispel.

Knispel has a lengthy resume in the field of journalism making it easy for the audience to hold on to every word and respect what she had to say during her discussion. She has worked in all media platforms beginning with newspaper employed by regional German newspapers, national German-American newspaper in New York, and managing editor for weekly Oxford enterprise.

 Knispel has also explored the multimedia platform as a national television anchor for Bloomberg TV Germany and is currently freelancing for Mississippi Public Broadcasting.

Knispel holds two Edward R Murrow awards under her belt for her news stories. The first award it was for her hard news feature on public apology news story on Emmett Till’s family, a young African American boy murdered in 1955 in rural Miss.  

Knispel returned the night before from New York City as she received her second Edward R. Murrow award for Best News Series on the Smithville, Miss tornado and the effects of the people living in the small town.

She explained that keeping a job in journalism is really hard, but encourages journalism students to apply for weekend internships and step foot into a newsroom as quickly as possible.

Not just what is recorded but what is not on the record plays a part in a story. Knispel’s ability to get more from the story than just the reporting story is something different setting a high standard in the journalism world.