By Sydney Mazur, UConn Journalism
February 28, 2019
It can be challenging to keep up with changes in the field of journalism — but Connecticut Law Tribune bureau chief Michael Marciano has found his way through a variety of reporting jobs and a commitment to keep learning.
Marciano has been worked as a journalist for more than 25 years. After earning a degree in journalism from Southern Connecticut State University, Marciano said he started in journalism as an intern with at the old New Haven Advocate.
Marciano always had an interest in music and the arts, and during his 20’s, it was his passion, he said. He remembered interviewing iconic artists such as David Bowie and KISS’s Gene Simmons. Marciano worked as a music writer at the Hartford Advocate for a handful of years, until transitioning from the music beat to government-related issues. He said he spent 12 years at the Winsted Journal, covering local news, the board of education meetings and municipal government. He also got to cover a U.S. president: Bill Clinton.
The opportunity to interview Clinton came when Marciano was working at the Winsted Journal, and Clinton was giving a speech in Connecticut. Marciano recalled photographing Clinton. The two shook hands, he said. Come to later find out, Clinton sent Marciano a personal hand-written note saying “thank you” for all his work as a journalist.
Marciano later moved into a reporting gig at the New Britain Herald and then the Bristol Press. His coverage of stories such as the high-profile Aaron Hernandez trial led him to his current position as Connecticut Law Tribune bureau chief.
Marciano described the Connecticut Law Tribune as “specialized news for attorneys.” It looks at legal news from a statewide point of view. The website is affiliated with Law.com. The target audience of the Connecticut Law Tribune is attorneys and judges, people who work in the legal field, and students who are interested in the legal circle, Marciano explained.
From attorneys and judges to coverage of the Supreme Court, Marciano said his job requires him to stay on top of the latest legal information within the state.
When asked if there is a secret to covering lawyers and the justice system, Marciano replied that it just helps to “have broad journalistic experience… readers can relate from a broad perspective.” Marciano said that it is also very important to stay attuned to what is happening around the state, always broaden your mind and to learn something new every day.
Marciano’s offered this advice to up-and-coming journalists: don’t get too close to your sources. His recommendation stems from personal experience. Once while writing a story about pyramid-scheme businesses, Marciano said he interviewed some friends for the piece. After the story was published, some of his friends were upset with the way in which the story was presented.
Other advice from Marciano: “If you know something is wrong and you feel a red flag coming up, pay attention to the red flag. Journalists always have that voice in their heads, listen to it.”