Tom Plate’s Confessions of an American Media Man: What They Don't Tell You At Journalism School is an appealing conspectus of his life in journalism. Writing in an endearing and conversational style, he frankly discusses his ambitions and his foibles, hoping that some of his choices will help others interested in a journalism career to detect both pitfalls and opportunities.
He chronicles his work at Newsday, Time, New York Newsday, the Los Angeles Times, and other magazines and papers, listing a number of people in the editing, publishing and writing world whom he has worked with: David Laventhol, Jim Bellows, Sir David English and many others. He mentions his many interviews with the likes of Ronald Reagan, Tony Blair, and Bill Clinton, and even includes a photo spread of himself with a number of famous people.
As he peruses his memories he philosophizes about journalism. He believes newspapers should present definite opinions and guidance for the public on important matters, especially regarding the communities they serve. Magazines should publish informed articles, even if writing about small beer.
Plate's viewpoints are thought-provoking. He believes the First Amendment protections that newspapers enjoy incur great responsibility on the part of those papers and their journalists. He feels that journalists should be well-educated so they can report accurately on the happenings of our increasingly complicated world. However, he only discusses print media; he doesn’t delve into the world of citizen journalism, blogging, etc. It would be interesting to hear his thoughts on those media outlets as well.
The book is also entertaining. In fact, at times it reads like a movie. For example, Plate recalls his endorsement interview with New York City Mayor Ed Koch. Plate and Newsday had already decided to endorse Koch’s rival, but he went ahead and talked with Koch. He writes of Koch being escorted to the elevator, turning, and asking if he still had a chance with Newsday; Plate lies and says they haven’t decided. “When the doors closed behind the mayor,” he writes, “honestly, I felt like a total jerk.”
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