John F. Burns

John F. Burns is the chief foreign correspondent for The New York Times. He has been awarded two Pulitzers and was in Baghdad during the 200 Iraqi conflict.
Mr. Burns has many important lessons for a young reporter, like getting quotes right is the most important part of being a journalist. He also advises you to not let the excitement of a moment to turn into stress about getting the story.
Two very reliable sources should always be the rule in a story according to Burns. There is not usually a difference in sources that present themselves, rather than you approaching them, unless they are pushing an agenda.
When reporting on an entire country look for individuals or groups that
influence a bigger picture. Find angles that matter to the world.


“I often say that reporters are rarely experts in anything, or at least not as expert as the real expertsm.” John F. Burns.