NEWARK‚ NJ --- “Life ain’t fair‚” three-time Pulitzer Prize-winner Walter Bogdanich told the attendees of NJSPJ’s awards luncheon held on Saturday‚ June 21 at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) in Newark‚ NJ. “The role of an investigative reporter is to make life more fair.”
Bogdanich should know. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin with a degree in political science and a master’s in journalism from Ohio State University‚ Bogdanich has been an investigative reporter most of his life. His first Pulitzer was awarded in 1988 for his articles in The Wall Street Journal on substandard medical laboratories. In 2005‚ he was recognized for national reporting with his series on dangerous rail crossings in America called "Death on the Tracks." This year‚ Bogdanich and Jake Hooker of The New York Times won for their 7-part investigative series on toxic ingredients in medicine and other everyday products imported from China‚ leading to crackdowns by American and Chinese officials.
He has also won four George Polk Awards‚ an Investigative Reporters & Editors Award‚ and an Overseas Press Club award.
In 2001‚ Bogdanich became the investigations editor for the Business and Finance Desk of The New York Times and was named an assistant editor for the paper’s newly expanded Investigative Desk two years later.
Previously‚ he’d worked for the Cleveland Press and the Cleveland Plain Dealer‚ the Wall Street Journal in New York and Washington‚ ABC News and 60 Minutes on CBS.
During his lively‚ inspirational presentation‚ Bogdanich described the high points of his long career: going undercover as a longshoreman‚ as a carnival worker‚ and as a food service manager at an airport‚ where‚ ironically‚ he earned a larger salary than he did as a reporter.
Bogdanich recalled his 4 ½-year stint at 60 Minutes with particular amusement. He said he spent half of his time following up every Mike Wallace interview by apologizing to the people that Wallace had just insulted. He also remembered being caught in the middle of a $10 billion lawsuit when 60 Minutes decided to take on the tobacco industry. That “excellent adventure” he said convinced him that good journalism can make a difference. “I will never do a story that saved more lives.”
The best ideas for investigative stories‚ Bogdanich observed‚ come from reporters who forge their own path and stay out of the pack. Addressing reporters‚ both veteran and those just starting out‚ he advised‚ “Never take no from your sources or your editors.” If your editor won’t allow you to do a story you believe in‚ he said‚ “Do your story anyway on your own time. You have to show them; you have to push and fight for it.”
Despite his long experience ferreting out lies and corruption‚ Bogdanich remains an optimist. “Don’t be afraid to lose‚” he said. “The truth in the end will always win out. And never forget: one person can make a huge difference.” |
