Schieffer and Thomas are in a League of their Own
By Cassidy Gardner

At the annual Edward R. Murrow Symposium, held on Tuesday evening, Helen Thomas and Bob Schieffer both emphasized the pertinent role newspapers and professional journalists play in maintaining a healthy democracy.
“American democracy as we know it cannot exist without access to an independent press,” Schieffer said.
Thomas was awarded the Lifetime Achievement in Journalism Edward R. Murrow Award and Schieffer received the Lifetime Achievement in Broadcast Journalism Edward R. Murrow Award.
Thomas, who is commonly referred to as “The First Lady of the Press,” has covered every president since John F. Kennedy. She served as the White House correspondent for United Press International for 57 years.
Schieffer has covered all four major beats in the nation’s capital-the White House, Pentagon, State Department and Capitol Hill. He has been a reporter for 57 years and is in his fortieth year at CBS news. He currently hosts Face the Nation.
“It was great to hear all their anecdotes and get to know these two people on a more personal note. I watch Schieffer every week so to see more of his personality was amazing,” Marge Aftner of Lewiston, Idaho said.
The Murrow Symposium was held in Beasley Performing Arts Coliseum. Approximately 200 people attended the event.
“I am so surprised there are so few students here. These two people really interested me,” Kelsey Einig, a WSU senior majoring in communication, said.
Thomas said journalism is going through a period of adjustment and it is unclear how everything will pan out.
“Everyone with a laptop thinks they’re a journalist,” Thomas said.
She then emphasized the importance of ethical standards in the field of journalism.
“American journalists should return to the real mission- to follow the truth wherever it leads us,” Thomas said.
Schieffer said trained reporters with ethics and standards are needed now more than ever.
“The American press, for all its faults, the American people are the most informed people in the world,” Schieffer said.
Both expressed worry about the current economic problems newspapers are facing.
“I hope and pray newspapers are gonna’ survive…. The most important thing is getting the story and getting it right,” Schieffer said.
In the ending question and answer segment of the evening, Schieffer and Thomas, both agreed that curiosity is the key characteristic all great journalists possess.
“This [journalism] is a mission in life, to seek the truth wherever you can find it. Remember you cannot have a democracy, without an informed people,” Thomas said.

Questions for Schieffer and Thomas:
1. For Thomas: What were some of you most challenging moments as a journalist? Was it more difficult to earn respect in the Whitehouse as a woman?
2. Schieffer: What was your favorite Washington beat to cover? Why?
3. Thomas: Do you have a mentor or someone who really inspired you throughout your life?

Sources:
Kelsey Einig: 425-356-9543