So this is going to be my argument against anyone who thinks ChatGPT is a shortcut to building a great story
I write this as homage to reporters who get that you’re only as good as the words you put on the page. I reveal this top five of mine (stressing the “mine”) comes after learning that number one on my list recently passed away. Your lists will no doubt be different. In any case…off we go.
5. Charles Osgood
The most seasoned name on my list. Not many can tell a story…of place or time…in straight story style, or perhaps in rhyme. (See what I did there?) Osgood has that talent as a writer…and can even put those thoughts to music. I always enjoyed watching him on CBS’ Sunday Morning and hearing him daily on his radio feature The Osgood File. Health concerns forced him into retirement at the end of 2017. Fun fact: on my last day as a TV reporter in Memphis, TN — circa 2004 — to go full-time as an audio journalist, I used one of Osgood’s signature lines as a farewell saying into the camera, “I’ll see you on the radio.”
4. Bob Dotson
One of the first things you learn in journalism is that when you tell a story, make sure there’s a human being (other than yourself) at the center of it. Bob Dotson did it better in his day than anyone. To hear a Dotson story on NBC Nightly News was to learn a little about Mr. and Mrs. America — wherever they were. National awards with names you know: Emmy, Murrow, DuPont — dot his mantle. Below is a sample of his work from 1980.
3. Lisa Ling
Lisa Ling came a long way from being a co-host of ABC’s The View for four seasons early in the show’s long run. When she stepped out on her own, the reach and the power of her reporting showcased her talent. Her series on CNN, This is Life with Lisa Ling told hard-hitting stories that spanned cultures, races and social issues. She’s taken her talents to CBS as a contributor. Take a look at a sample of her work.
2. Steve Hartman
Because of Steve Hartman, I learned years ago that a map, a dart, a phonebook and a video camera could lead to TV journalism gold. Contrary to popular opinion, Hartman proves that not all news is bad…that there is a place for the warm, fuzzy feeling that a good…no…great writer can bring to life. I’ll show you what I mean in this story from ‘back in the day’.
and number one: Wade Goodwyn
Many of you are probably not all that familiar with the work of Wade Goodwyn. He spent nearly all of his on-air career as a national correspondent for National Public Radio. Sadly, Goodwyn died of cancer days before this post was written. He was a Texan with a big baritone speaking voice that drew you in armed with what i like to call ‘Goodwyn-isms’ kept you listening. He covered tragedies ranging from the Branch Davidian massacre in Waco, to the Oklahoma City bombing to the Boy Scouts scandal to when a hurricane hit Louisiana years ago and he said if you were in the path of it. “..you hug your NASCAR teddy bear when the big blow comes, even if you’re a barrel-chested National Guardsman.” Here is a link to many of Wade’s stories on NPR. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do for content and color.
WELCOME TO MY WORLD!! 