Dominic Carter is a political reporter in New York with over 30 years of experience working in both radio and television. Since entering journalism, Dominic has had first-hand experience with many prominent political news events. He has interviewed political figures, including Donald J. Trump, and covered the 2016 presidential election extensively. He was written about by the Washington Post for his moderating skills during a previous debate, including Hillary Clinton. Dominic has also moderated other debates with the former mayor of NYC, Michael Bloomberg.
Entering the journalism field has always been an aspiration for Dominic Carter. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Communication and Media Studies from the State University of New York College at Cortland. During his tenure at the college, he was an active participant in the theater and college radio station. After completing his undergraduate course of study, Dominic studied at Syracuse University, where he earned his master’s degree in Broadcast Journalism. While attending Syracuse, he worked from the college radio station, WAER. Dominic decided to follow his radio interest and landed a job as a field reporter for WBLS/WLIB in NYC. He covered political campaigns, including the Jesse Jackson political campaign. When he wasn’t covering the campaign, Dominic Carter was reporting on Howard Beach and Bernard Goetz.
Looking to further his career, Dominic transitioned to television. He became a reporter and anchor for New York. He was primarily focused on celebrity interviews, but as his popularity grew as the host of Inside City Hall, Dominic was able to interview a wider variety of people. He had the opportunity to talk with Cardinal John Joseph O’Connor, former President Bill Clinton, South African President Nelson Mandela, Mexican President Vicente Fox, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Hillary Clinton, and Congressman Charles B. Rangel.
Dominic Carter is an author. In 2007, he published a memoir – No Momma’s Boy – recounting his troubled relationship with his clinically diagnosed mother. Dominic now travels the country discussing his book and life from the NYC housing projects to a successful journalist. His story has inspired many through speaking to youth about the importance of educational achievement.
Currently, Dominic resides in New York and continues to work in journalism. He continues to have a passion for helping young people realize their full potential. Connect with Dominic on Twitter and LinkedIn.
Dominic Carter on Key Tips for Being a Great Investigative Journalist
Investigative journalism is a type of journalism in which reporters conduct an in-depth investigation on a particular topic that interests them, such as political corruption, corporate misconduct, health scandals, abuse of power, and grave crimes, just to mention a few. Investigative journalism mainly focuses on exposing matters that were accidentally or deliberately concealed from the general public and requires both confidential and open references and documents. That being said, investigating big and sensitive stories is certainly not an easy task to do and requires a lot of commitment, careful methodology, heavy reliance on rigorous checking of facts, and forming and testing hypotheses.
The following article presents some critical investigative tips that allow journalists to tell sensational stories on that premise.
Building a strong network
Building a strong and dedicated network through social media platforms and events is crucial for an investigative journalist. These connections might support in their affection the journalist for the topic he or she is investigating as well as potentially financially support the investigation.
Learning from the best
Investigative journalists should seek experienced journalists who have a well-established track record of investigative stories and ask them questions. Professional journalists can be great mentors who give the young journalist valuable advice and guidance in reaching the following step.
Discretion, fairness, and ethics
Failing to be discrete while investigating a particular matter might put the lives of the people involved in danger or, in other cases, might lead to the journalist’s competition scooping the story. In addition to discretion, the investigative reporter should also be fair and hold his or herself to a moral principle and never make accusations that are impetuous and reckless. A reporter’s subjects and sources should always be treated with respect and protected from any harm.
Being prepared for sensitive interviews
Interviewing key people is undoubtedly not an easy task. For that reason, when it comes to these types of interviews, the journalist must be fully prepared, has created a list of questions, has double-checked all the facts, and has thoroughly researched the matter to be discussed during the interview. In addition to that, the journalist should remain polite and persistent throughout the interview.
