Journalism Senior Revels in Growth from Covering the RNC
In July 2024, Matthew Cupelli was one of four Innovation News Center student journalists who travelled to Milwaukee, Wisonsin, to cover the Republican Nation Convention for WUFT.
By Matthew Cupelli, Journalism Senior
On the first morning of the 2024 Republican National Convention covering the event for the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications’ Innovation New Center, I waited in line to speak with Congressman Byron Donalds of Southwest Florida. He bantered jovially with fans, taking pictures and signing shirts. Wanting to be respectful, I stood and waited my turn.
After 10 minutes, I felt awkward. I didn’t yet have the courage to push my way to the front. I realized my mistake when another journalist strode toward Congressman Donalds, confidently introducing herself. She asked a litany of questions as I continued to stand there, watching.
“Oh,” I thought, “that’s how this works.”
I had wanted to be a respectful ambassador of the press, but I realized needed to be assertive. Without that skill, I wouldn’t interview anyone. Even if I did manage to catch a legislator — as I quickly found out — I needed to be ready to navigate their evasions and insist on answers.
If I didn’t adapt, the public would miss crucial stories. So, I grew into a more effective journalist, capable of balancing assertiveness and respect.
By the fourth day of the RNC, I had the courage to approach politicians without warning. The culmination of this was my impromptu interview with Florida Senator Marco Rubio.
|Click here to read Cupelli’s article on Florida Republican’s perspectives on abortion policies.|
He appeared outside of a conference room. Any minute, the session would begin, and he would leave. Without thinking, I took out my microphone and dashed to the front of the quickly growing group of his supporters.
I asked about abortion. He dodged and began reiterating talking points. I surprised myself as I retracted my microphone, reclaiming control of the interview. He stopped speaking as I asked a more focused version of my question. Then I asked another. And another.
Despite the growing press bubble, I stayed in control. I managed to ask all the questions I’d prepared.
I walked away from the interview with ample material for my stories and a newfound confidence.
“If I can do that,” I wondered, “what else can I do?”
Posted: August 6, 2024
Category: 2024 Convention Experiences, College News
Tagged as: Matthew Cupelli, Republican National Convention, RNC
