In journalism, the message itself is more important than how it is communicated, honoree Bob Schieffer told audiences at the 35th annual Edward R. Murrow Symposium Tuesday night.
“The most important thing is getting the story, and getting it right,” he said. “Journalism is not about technology, it is about technology of the individual reporter, it is about the courage of the individual reporter to go, find out the story and tell it to their listeners.”
Schieffer and fellow honoree Helen Thomas both spoke about the decline of newspapers and the importance to journalism to a functioning democracy.
“You cannot have a democracy without an informed people,” Schieffer said.
Both presenters talked about the move of journalism online and the emergence of new media and what it is doing to the industry.
“Unfortunately everyone with a laptop thinks they are a journalist,” Thomas said.
There are ethical standards that journalists must follow, and these new journalists do not necessarily follow them, she said.
“That is what sets professionals apart,” Thomas said.
Schieffer said that it was not the move online of journalism, but the lack of an editor to control the content.
Anything could be printed on the internet, he said.
“Some of them have no more credibility than the guy on the street corner with the sign that says ‘The End is Near,’” Scheiffer said. “He may be right, but you sure want to know where his information is coming from.”
Thomas, 88, worked as the White House correspondent for the United Press International for over 50 years. She started covering John F. Kennedy before he was elected and has covered every president since. She has traveled around the world, on multiple occasions, with presidents Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush and Clinton.
After watching a tribute to herself and hearing her accomplishments listed, Thomas was assisted to the microphone, where she could barely be seen.
“It is really hard to see your obituary,” she joked.
Thomas left UPI in 2000 to become a syndicated columnist for Hearst papers.
About this new role she said “I have to wake up each morning and say ‘who do I hate today?’”
Schieffer has spent the last 52 years as a reporter, 40 of those with CBS. He has covered every presidential campaign in that time, and been on the floor of every democratic and republican convention.
WSU president Elson Floyd said that Thomas and Schieffer exemplified the standards of journalism as they have uncompromised integrity, honesty, love for their nation and they get the information right.
“I am honored to be in your presence,” he told the honorees. Your intellect and commitment has made us better as a country. I stand in awe of what you have done for the spirit of journalism.”
In addition to the full candle lit tables filling the floor of Beasley Coliseum, there were a couple hundred people peppering the stands, consisting of students, faculty and staff, but also Pullman residents.
“We came for Helen Thomas,” said Pullman resident Helen Stiller. “I can remember watching her jumping up and challenging the presidents, forever. She is so courageous.”
Among the students there was a mixed level of anticipation before the event started.
“I am just here for extra credit,” sophomore architecture major Candace Missouri said, with a laugh.
Another student, who helped plan the event, was looking forward to it completely.
“Bob is awesome and Helen Thomas is such an interesting person,” public relations student Sarah Ramppanen said.
For up and coming journalists in the audience, both speakers had a few messages.
When one man asked about being an online journalist, Schieffer told him to be careful.
“You must adhere to the standards that are traditional,” he said.
He warned the man that true reporters cannot assume they are right, but must check out everything.
“Credibility is everything,” Thomas said.
Their message reached out to a lot of people.
“Helen Thomas is so inspiring,” Stiller said. “She is proud of her job, and justifiably so.
Her husband, David Stiller, was also amazed by Thomas. “She embodies the elements that make up journalism,” he said. “She is dedicated and pragmatic. She gets the difficult truth and does a remarkable job.”
They said that they enjoyed both speakers, however.
“They both we extremely good,” Helen Stiller said. “He had a better sense of humor but it made a nice contrast.”
When giving his final advice to the people seated in the room, Schieffer told the audience the number one tool that every journalist needs is curiosity. Every good, and certainly great, journalist has this curiosity built into them he said.
Journalists also cannot be afraid to ask questions that may make them sound ‘dumb’ he said.
“Journalists need to have an inquiring mind and not mind asking the obvious questions.”
