I have lived in in southeastern Wisconsin my whole life. So when Professor Herbert Lowe announced that former Milwaukee news anchor Mike Gousha was coming to our class, I was instantly excited. I would be meeting someone that I had watched on television almost my entire existence.
Fast forward to Thursday, March 22, the day of Gousha's visit. I walk into the classroom and move toward the guest speaker. "You stole me spot," I joked. We laughed as Gousha slid his chair to the right. At this moment, I knew I would love that day's class.
Gousha began class by talking about his past experience as a journalist. When he told us he left WTMJ-TV after 25 years because it became disjointed with his journalistic beliefs, I almost broke into applause. Here I was sitting next to a man who was once living many people's dream job of being a prime time news anchor, but he gave it all up. Why? Because it was getting away from unbiased, strictly factual reporting. Despite watching this man report the news for years, I had never had more respect for him.
During his visit, Gousha continuously returned to his journalism mantra: "I'm a big believer in being able to ask tough questions in a civil way." In a time where brash, bullheaded pundits such as Rush Limbaugh gain national attention, I again found myself cheering for Gousha.
It is always strange meeting someone in person that you are used to seeing on television. From my personal experience, it typically results in a letdown. I wouldn't say that Gousha was ever a personal hero of mine who I waited my whole life to meet. However, after his visit and hearing his understanding of what it means to be a serious journalist...let's just say I have become a pretty huge fan.
Fast forward to Thursday, March 22, the day of Gousha's visit. I walk into the classroom and move toward the guest speaker. "You stole me spot," I joked. We laughed as Gousha slid his chair to the right. At this moment, I knew I would love that day's class.
Gousha began class by talking about his past experience as a journalist. When he told us he left WTMJ-TV after 25 years because it became disjointed with his journalistic beliefs, I almost broke into applause. Here I was sitting next to a man who was once living many people's dream job of being a prime time news anchor, but he gave it all up. Why? Because it was getting away from unbiased, strictly factual reporting. Despite watching this man report the news for years, I had never had more respect for him.
During his visit, Gousha continuously returned to his journalism mantra: "I'm a big believer in being able to ask tough questions in a civil way." In a time where brash, bullheaded pundits such as Rush Limbaugh gain national attention, I again found myself cheering for Gousha.
It is always strange meeting someone in person that you are used to seeing on television. From my personal experience, it typically results in a letdown. I wouldn't say that Gousha was ever a personal hero of mine who I waited my whole life to meet. However, after his visit and hearing his understanding of what it means to be a serious journalist...let's just say I have become a pretty huge fan.