Bill Morlin Questions

1. How did you become an investigative reporter?

2. How do you maintain balance of opinion from sources when it comes to a sensative topic like polygamy?

3. Who or what first tipped you off to the polygamy story?

4. Since investigative reporting is such a time intensive form of journalism, do you find yourself following the issue long after it has been published?

5. In terms of investigative vs. daily journalism, what criteria/guidelines do you use to figure out what/who to write about?

6. Public records can lend significant credibility to a story. How does working with human interest pieces affect your articles debpth based on available records?

7. Investigative journalism takes time and knowhow. Currently, journalism is experiencing an increase in 'instant news' with the advent of the internet and the ability to instantaneously blog. Have or do you see a decline in investigative reporting as a result of that?

Records Request Story proposal(s)

1) Spokane is home to one of only a handful of waste management facilities in the nation that converts waste into energy. This facility works on a fairly simple principle; waste is collected, then burned and the exhaust gasses are used to produce steam which is used to create electricity. However, the processes used to achieve energy from waste are actually quite complex and strictly regulated. The facility itself has been around for nearly 20 years and can incinerate nearly 800,000 tons of waste at over 2,500 degrees farenhieght a day. At capacity the plant can produce 26 Megawatts of energy. enough to power anywhere from 13,000 to 20,000 homes. This article would focus the environmental impacts of such a facility in comparison to its costs. Additionally, comparisons would be drawn between waste-to-energy facilities and traditional landfills and other waste management operations.


2) Currently, the US economy is at the forefront of nearly everyone’s concerns. Perhaps the second biggest issue is the environment. Both issues have been overlooked in the past and have since continued to affect our environment more so every day. The ramifications of a lack of proactive ideas and policies have created a unique situation. Environmentally friendly policies and practices continue to emerge, but many are often expensive and complex. The economy has taken a nosedive and as a result, pennies are being pinched and programs and jobs are being cut. This article would further examine the affects of a slowed economy versus increased concern for the environment. Substantiating aspects could be found with budget cuts from Olympia on environmental programs or cuts being made here at WSU. - I feel this is an interesting topic though I don’t have a clearly defined angle to take. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Murrow College Recognizes Lifetime Achievements in Journalism

Bob Schieffer and Helen Thomas receive honors at the 35th annual Edward R. Murrow Symosium.



The 35th Edward R. Murrow Symposium held Tuesday night at Washington State University in Pullman, Wash. honored two distinguished journalists for their coverage of the nation's capitol. Bob Schieffer and Helen Thomas, honorees of the Murrow Lifetime Achievement Award, spoke about their work and current industry trends.

Both Schieffer and Thomas began their careers as Washington D.C. journalists during the Kennedy Presidency. Schieffer bares the distinction of completing the "Grand Slam" of D.C. coverage; covering the White House, Pentagon, State Department and Capitol Hill. Thomas, known as the "First Lady of the Press" has covered every president since Kennedy. Her red dresses and "Thank you Mr. President" comments have made her perhaps the most recognized White House correspondent.

"Murrow taught us not to be afraid of the powers-that-be," said Thomas, with the top of the podium and microphones standing just above her forehead.

Thomas explained that journalism has come a long way over the last half century, but the future seems uncertain at this point going on to say, "Reporters have let the world down... American journalists need to return to their mission: to follow the truth."

Schieffer also expressed concern for journalism, "Journalism is in a crisis." Newspapers in particular have seen the worst of the decline in journalism. "I cannot start my day without my coffee and my newspaper," said Shcieffer, "The future of newspapers... is in doubt."

Both speakers agreed that the speed at which technology is advancing is causing the journalism industry to change and change rapidly.

"Everyone with a laptop thinks they're a journalist...," Said Thomas.

Schieffer's and Thomas's concerns touch base on bigger idea that technology may be killing journalism, or at least in the traditional sense. News websites are growing dominant over print and subsequently caused the bankruptcy of large-scale print operations across the globe.

However, there is a much greater question of creditbility of information when dealing with online sources versus print.

Bob Schieffer compared websites lacking crediblity to that of someone standing on a corner holding a sign reading 'The end is near'. "He may be right, but we need to know what he is basing that on," said Schieffer.

What the immediate or distant impacts of this will be nobody is sure.

"We don't know where journalism is going," said Schieffer.

Both Schieffer and Thomas explained the need for journalists and their role in democracy. Journalists are the 'watch dogs' of democracy and that without them it will be much more difficult to keep those in power accountable for their actions.

"Independent sources are crucial to a democracy," Schieffer concluded.

Murrow Symposium Background

On Tuesday, students at WSU will host two renowned journalists at the Murrow Symposium.Bob Schieffer and Helen Thomas are perhaps two of the most influential American journalists of the past half century. Their experience in the field of journalism takes them back as far as the Kennedy presidency and has focused on the nation's capitol and administration since then.Schieffer joined CBS news in 1969, according to an by CBS, and served an a principle anchor for the agency for over thirty years. Schieffer has the distinction of being one of only a few journalists who has covered all four beats in Washington; The White House, the Pentagon, the State Department and Capitol Hill.Helen Thomas is another of journalism’s trailblazers. Her career as a White house press member began during the Kennedy Presidency and has since earned her the nickname of "First Lady of the Press" according to an article from American Entertainment International Speakers. Here achievements in journalism are vast; "She was the first female officer of the National Press Club, the first female member and president of the White House Correspondents Association, and, in 1975, the first female member of the Gridiron Club", according to her bio on Wikipedia.These speakers will be recognized with awards at the Murrow Symposium in recognition of their industry achievements.