Tryfon Boukouvidis
Hometown: Greece
Major: Journalism
Year: second semester, graduate student
Why did you want to participate in the Manship School News Service, or MSNS, Statehouse Bureau?
I wanted to participate in the Statehouse Bureau because I plan to become a political reporter and I need experience in the field.
When reporting at the Capitol, what is a typical day like?
A typical day at the Capitol depends on the assignment. Usually, I cover a morning hearing and depending on its urgency and newsworthiness I finish the story during or after the meeting.
What news outlets have published your stories?
So far, I have been published by NOLA.com | Times-Picayune.
What has the experience taught you?
The experience has taught me indispensable lessons, such as communicating with Louisiana senators and representatives, covering legislative hearings and examining bills. The best part of the program so far is the aforementioned lessons. Overall, the experience is quite valuable, challenging and rewarding. This is why I would strongly encourage any aspiring political journalist at LSU to participate in the Statehouse Bureau.
What are your goals/hopes for life after LSU?
In the future, I aim to become an investigative political reporter for the New York Times. Before I get there, I am thinking of going for a Ph.D.
Would you rather be a journalist or a politician, and why?
I would rather be a journalist than a politician because I believe that I can offer more in society from this position. In the era of fake news, the world needs good journalists who prioritize transparency and objectivity. In the distant future, I will probably think about becoming a politician, but I would most probably run for office in my native country, Greece. The need for honest politicians is urgent there as the country has been in a spiraling economic crisis since 2008.