'First Lady of the Press' Shows Students True Journalism Dedication

Media Ethics course students witnessed the sharp answers of one of America's most fearless woman journalists during a video conference question-and-answer session at UT School of JEM last week.

Former White House Bureau Chief Helen Thomas fielded questions from aspiring journalists as they took turns in the hot seat, facing the monitor providing a life link to Thomas' location in Washington D.C., stating their name politely and thanking her for her time in the most respectful manner. The woman, known as "The First Lady of the Press," returned concise, witty and humble answers, seemingly turning down students' efforts to place her on a high pedestal as a hero of sorts in their field.

"I think the late night comedians are the biggest inspiration," she joked.

Thomas fielded questions about her experience having been affiliated with nine presidents. Intrigues ranged from her fight to become a woman journalist to her favorite president (John F. Kennedy) to the impact of new technologies on the field and her use of them.

"I'm the last of the Mohicans," said Thomas to a student who asked if she had a blog - her answer was no.

Most questions revolved around professionalism in the field and the covering of the War in Iraq.

Thomas emphasized her great disappointment in journalists' handling of 9/11 and their inability to pressure the Bush administration for explanations on waging war in Iraq.

"Reporters rolled over and played dead," she said about news coverage after 9/11. The ethical dilemma became "should you be a super-patriot or should we do our jobs."

Journalists "gave up their jobs after 9/11," Thomas said. "It was only after Katrina that they came out of their comas."

She urged students to "search for the truth" and "let the chips fall where they may."

"I think journalists write their reactions without asking enough questions. We are all patriotic," she told students. "But don't default on your duties... to ask questions."

Today's reporters are serving more as government lapdogs than as watchdogs for society, she said.

"I've been in the deep freeze a lot," Thomas said. "I didn't go into this profession to be loved, or even liked. ... Let the facts prevail... My opinion doesn't matter."

Despite the hardships of fighting for a place in journalism, witnessing the weakening position of the press, being pushed from her front-row position in press conferences to the back row and running up against the brick walls of secrecy in the Bush administration, Thomas is still smiling.

"I picked one of the greatest professions in the world," she told students.