Local Reporter Selected for Prestigious Fellowship

Veteran SAG-AFTRA Twin Cities broadcaster Jon Collins typically covers the busy public safety and policing beat at Minnesota Public Radio News. But Collins is taking a break from that work to spend an academic year at Harvard University as part of the prestigious Nieman Fellowship he was awarded.

MPR News colleague Gretchen Brown spoke with Collins about the opportunity.

What interested you in the fellowship?

I’m about halfway through my journalism career and have sometimes felt frustrated with the lack of opportunities to learn and improve as a journalist when we are occupied with the day-to-day crises. The Nieman fellowship is one of a handful in the world that allows us to step back and remember why we really were drawn to this job, which is to serve the public’s interest and do work that makes the world better.  

You’ve been there half a year now. What's the most surprising thing you've learned so far?

We go to classes, Harvard events and Nieman events. But I think the most important aspect of the fellowship is the relationship between the 24 journalists from across the world. We learn from one another and, more importantly, build what we hope are lifelong relationships that will support us in our future endeavors.

You have extensive experience reporting on public safety for MPR News. How has this fellowship changed the way you view the beat?

I've always believed that people should be at the center of our stories. This experience has just reinforced that we need to double down on that. Policies matter not because of political gamesmanship, but because of the impact they have on actual people’s lives.

I also believe that in order to convince the public to trust journalists, we need to do deep and impactful work that has the potential to change their lives instead of wasting our time on press conferences and packaged spin from officials. People want real stories about real people, and it doesn't matter if it’s on TikTok or in print. It’s about the content, not the medium.

Journalists need to do work that is unique and that distinguishes us from the millions of people able to promote nonsense and misinformation online. And we need to tell the public why they should trust us, and why powerful interests want them to feel pessimistic and distrustful of journalism.

What are you looking forward to in the second half of the fellowship?

I'm taking some classes in Harvard Law School that I think will make me a better reporter on criminal justice issues. I’m also working on different forms of writing, including fiction, to try to improve how I do my work. Then, again, I look forward to getting to know my fellows even more deeply.

Best thing about Boston?

Harvard is located in the city of Cambridge, across the river from Boston. It’s incredibly expensive but also incredibly safe. My favorite thing is not owning a car. It’s a pleasure to walk or bike or take the subway everywhere. Everyone deserves that and it shouldn’t be a luxury.

Anything in particular you miss about Minnesota?

I miss my gardens, my community, the good music and art scenes, and the access to green space. But I’ve introduced the East Coast to hotdish and the expression “Ope,” so I’ll be leaving a legacy here even when I’m back home. 

Photo: Minnesota Public Radio Reporter Jon Collins