MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Aug. 19, 2025) – The week before fall classes began Auburn University at Montgomery’s student-run newspaper staff gathered for a fall workshop on campus to hear from two seasoned journalists AL.com’s Wes Sinor and Alabama Political Reporter’s Jacob Holmes about navigating the modern news world.
“I had to become versatile in my work,” said Sinor, who has spent more than a decade at AL.com and was nominated for six Southeast Emmy Awards.
The now sports journalist shared how he got his start in reporting and eventually became a sports producer. “I always did okay in English back in high school,” Sinor said. He explained that he began volunteering weekly for the Auburn Plainsman and “just kept showing up once a week, and soon I got to see my name in print, which was kind of cool.”
Eventually, he was recruited to write for Auburn University’s campus newspaper where he learned to be versatile in his work. Though by 2012, he recognized the increasing demand for online journalism, thus he shifted to a more digital-focused role.
When job searching, a colleague told him about an open position at AL.com, which he landed. His first job there, though, was not what he originally wanted. Instead of reporting, he spent his time entering numbers into a system and updating the website with new information as it came in.
After some time at AL.com, Sinor was promoted to sports reviews. In that, he learned what audiences wanted and used that insight to become a sports recruiting reporter. This led to a position as an Auburn beat writer for AL.com; and during the 2015-16 football season he attended press conferences where he learned what it was like to meet the demands of a packed sports-coverage schedule.
As he gained more experience, he transitioned into more of a videography role and now serves as managing producer of sports video and social media at AL.com.
Following Sinor’s insights on sports journalism, Jacob Holmes, a writer for the Alabama Political Reporter, known for his investigative coverage of state government and local politics in Alabama, shared his experiences about navigating the current field of journalism.
Holmes emphasized the importance of ethical journalism in a time where misinformation can easily spread. He encouraged student journalists to approach their work with integrity and a dedication to uncovering the truth, regardless of the challenges they may face.
However, both speakers pointed out a growing challenge that is plaguing journalists in regards to maintaining accuracy and credibility: inaccurate reporting.
With misinformation on the rise, quality journalism is more important than ever. As Mark Deuze, a media scholar, points out in his book Media Work: Digital media and society series, “media have come to be part of every aspect of people’s daily lives, facilitated by the worldwide proliferation of the internet”.
Guidance from experienced journalists like Sinor and Holmes was priceless for preparing the staff to meet the demands and responsibilities of accurate reporting in the digital age.
In fact, research shows that professional guidance and mentoring are key to developing strong journalistic skills and ethical standards. In their book, The American Journalist in the 1990s: U.S. News People at the End of an Era, Weaver and Wilhoit explain that professional socialization, like mentoring, is essential for upcoming journalists in the changing landscape.
For the student news staff, hearing from experienced journalists like Sinor and Holmes gave them exactly this kind of mentorship. Their insights didn’t just meet a quota; they peeled back the curtain on what really goes on and what routes to take.
Now with a clearer structure and expertise on our side, the AUMnibus staff is ready to dive into the semester by telling true, honest stories with focus and determination.
