Gary Walker
Vice President, News & Public Affairs
WXXI-TV, Rochester, NY
It was the 1993 mayoral election in Rochester that changed the way I approach journalism and has, frankly, kept me in this business. That election showed me that the news media can be essential to our civic lives and, if I may sound so bold, essential to our democracy.
That year, the five-term mayor of Rochester decided to retire. There were five candidates to replace him. I approached the local newspaper about collaborating on a series of live, two-hour, prime-time debates. I suggested a format in which citizens would get to ask the candidates some of the questions.
The citizens’ questions were direct and intelligent and far different from reporters’ questions. They didn’t talk about how much development money would go downtown. They asked about graffiti and noise ordinances and what could be done about stray dogs. And the candidate who was trailing the pack, with no money for TV ads, went from last place to first and eventually won the race. Rochester elected its first African-American mayor. He credited the debates with his election.
It was the first time in my career that I saw my work have impact. I discovered what was, for me, a new formula for journalism: meaningful coverage on issues meaningful to people and involving the citizens in your community. It is a way to better journalism. It is the kind of journalism I want to practice.
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