Yahoo News reported that a longtime Philadelphia news anchor had some parting words for the audience as he retired toward the end of last year.
Jim Gardner’s on-air career lasted 46 years. He used his final broadcast to defend the journalism profession.
“The American free press has been under attack, not by forces from other countries, but from elements embedded in our own society, and even our own government. It worries me deeply,” Gardner said.
He also told the audience, “We are not the enemy of the people,” and he said the audience needs to let journalists know if they falter in providing responsible and unbiased reporting.
Shop Talk is a weekly panel discussion about journalism issues. This week’s program featured Will Buss, who teaches in the Department of Broadcasting and Journalism at Western Illinois University and advises the student editors at the Western Courier and the students at student radio station The Dog: Jessica Martin, who teaches in the Department of Broadcasting and Journalism at Western Illinois University and is news director of NEWS3-TV at WIU; and TSPR News Director Rich Egger.
