Rosita Boland
Written by Zachary Boslett
Photographed and Filmed by Frankie Donlon

For descriptions, open the slideshow in fullscreen and click "show info," or view the set.

   When Rostia Boland started her career in journalism 14 years ago, fresh from different jobs as an actress, lecturer, publisher, barmaid, researcher, and author, there was no twitter, no email, and very little internet access.
   Today, Rostia Boland has a twitter account with over 800 followers and over 1,400 tweets to go along with five different email addresses. However even with this rapid switch and adoption of technology, Boland says her job has not changed much since she started her current job as a feature writer.
   “Journalism changes a lot,” said Boland. “About every 10 years or so there is a change due to technology. But my job has not changed very much because there are many different ways to tell a story but it is always about the story.”
   Rosita Boland is a prominent feature writer for the paper of record in Ireland, The Irish Times, and has been there for 14 years. However, Rosita Boland also studied at Harvard University in the United States so she has seen how the journalism industries of both countries operate. She spoke to Point Park University students about this in a cafe for breakfast on May 12.
   Boland says there are several differences but the biggest in her opinion is the difference in libel laws in the two countries.
   “You can’t use a name in a story unless you are 100% sure the information is accurate,” said Boland. “It is very much like a courtroom where you have to have evidence to support your story. You could never get away with tabloids like the National Enquirer in Ireland.”
   Boland was also surprised by the widespread use of statistics in the United States. She said journalists in the U.S. are almost statisticians and the use of statistics in the stories strengthens them and makes the message much more powerful.
   “My year in the United States made me more analytical in my writing,” said Boland.
   With over a decade of writing experience and several books, Rosita Boland is a very knowledgeable and influential person in her field. She is excited to see where journalism goes in the future and she even offered some advice to aspiring journalists.
   “Never be put off writing for a small paper. Just go out and find stories and tell them the best way you know how,” said Boland. “That is how you move forward and become a better writer.”
   Although Boland says it is acceptable to start small, she warns against working as an intern or for free once a student leaves college.
   “I do not believe that it is ever good to work for nothing,” said Boland. “It is not a good value of your work to work for nothing. However, an internship is fine if it is done while still in school or for a credit in a class.”
   Businesses in Ireland rely on the press to advertise their products or services. One way in which the Irish Times does this is through a reviews section for books and theatre performances that act as free advertisement. Boland is one of the review writers for the Irish Times and her time and writing skills are in high demand.
   “Every day I get calls from public relations people wanting me to promote their book or art festival,” said Boland. “They all want you to write something.”
   While Boland did not plan on becoming a journalist, her background in theatre allows her to be able to read people’s emotions and body language during interviews. Boland’s knack for reading people coupled with her natural writing ability make her an excellent writer adept at conveying the human emotion in her stories. She even offered a few interviewing tips that allow her to get such great stories.
   “I highly suggest interviewing someone in their environment, like their home or office. Their surroundings will give you even more information,” said Boland. “Always accept the hospitality and always use the toilet during an interview. It will allow a break to regroup as well as let you see more of their environment.”
   The Irish Times is a very large paper that allows its journalists and editors one luxury over American papers – space. According to Boland, a story in the Times averages 1,400 words during the week and up to 2,500 words on Saturday.
   “More space allows writers more flexibility to tell their stories the best they can,” said Boland. “In the U.S., a story does not usually exceed 800 words which can affect a story.”
   The Irish economy in worse shape than the American economy but their journalism industry has not been affected too severely. Advertising is down in both countries but the main thing that has allowed the Irish journalism industry to remain strong is the lack of interest in the internet by the Irish as a whole.
   “The Irish Times is now online but not all the content is there,” said Boland. “The website is not that popular however. There is not much audio or video on the website but that will be the next big step here in Ireland. They will be used to enhance the written stories, not to replace them.”

---

Photo 1: Rosita Boland answers questions from the Point Park students.

Photo 2: Breakfast with Rosita Boland gives Point Park students and insight in the world of Irish Media.

Photo 4: Rosita Boland explains easy ways to make someone comfortable during an interview.

Photo 5: Rosita Boland has been working for the Irish Times for 13 years.

---