FORMER FOX29 ANCHOR Dawn Stensland is reportedly considering a run for Congress in Delaware County. Former Inquirer reporter and editorial board member Douglas Pike is running for Congress in Montgomery County. Diane Allen, a former KYW reporter/ anchor, is currently on the New Jersey Senate. Former Action News reporter Karen Friedman campaigned to become a Pennsylvania State Representative but lost.
And of course, there is Sarah Palin, the former sports anchor turned governor of Alaska and vice presidential candidate.
Is journalism just a stepping stone to political fame?
9 comments:
"Just" a stepping stone seems a bit harsh. It's not a coincidence though- the fields attract similar types of people: inquisitive, civil oriented and service minded.
No, not any more than business or medicine are stepping stones to politics.
I think that through journalism you learn about a lot of things that most people don't. You report on injustices, interview the impoverished, and are basically surrounded by 'bad news' everyday. I think its honerable for someone to want to bring about change themselves, and not just report on it. I mean that is important too, but taking action yourself is important. Politics is the natural first step.
I'm Karen Friedman and saw my name in this article so I thought I'd respond. I don't think journalism is a stepping stone to politics. I think that journalists, especially on air broadcasters have the ability to communicate clearly and succinctly, think on their feet, entertain while educating and really know how to connect and engage with audiences which makes them good campaigners who are perceived as warm and friendly. Additionally, at least in my case, after 12 years at Action News, I had name recognition and people saw me as someone familiar who had been in their homes night after night which I'm sure was part of the reason I was asked to run. I think reporters are also typically up to date on news and events and have a knack for being able to condense complicated information into bite sized nuggets that others can relate to and understand.
When journalists see things around them that they know they want to change for the better I feel as though it's just another step in their lives. And this step could've never happened without journalism to begin with.
I have noticed the recent trend of journalists turned Politicians. However, I don't think this is necessarily indicative of a greater talent for politics on the part of the journalist but rather greater public notoriety. The public tends to form relationships with their news personalities. Also, journalists are more up to date, aware and involved in politics while on the job. Therefore, journalists usually have the connections, current knowledge of events and public support to enable them to run for office. After a long career in journalism I myself would consider running for public office. I think it’s a natural fit.
Shara Dae Howard
It's seeming like more and more of a stepping stone. However, Dawn is burning many bridges when it comes to the possibility of running for a seat in congress. I know in a perfect world, news is about objectivity. Just the possibility of her running for a seat has tarnished her reputation as an objective journalist. She had better hope this political career of hers breaks through, or else she faces a divided audience back in her journalism career.
I think it definitely is a stepping stone to political fame. The journalists who choose to run are already famous, so they probably believe people will vote for them. Journalists already know so much information about politics and history since it is required and a lifestyle. I think journalism sets the stage for a life filled with politics. Plus, politicians make more money than journalists.
Il semble que vous soyez un expert dans ce domaine, vos remarques sont tres interessantes, merci.
- Daniel
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