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A
Conversation with Helen Thomas By
Tekla Szymanski
She dismisses being a trailblazer, even though she is the tenacious award-winning grande dame of U.S. journalism, the dean of the White House Press corps. With wit, timeless candor and a razor-sharp voice and pen she has held an unprecedented nine presidential administrations accountable since beginning her career as a United Press International reporter in 1943. Thomas was the first woman officer of the National Press Club after it opened its doors to women members, and for many women she has become a role model and then some. In 2002, she won the New York Women in Communication's (NYWICI) MATRIX Award for her achievements in the field of newspaper journalism. "I am not a woman. I'm a reporter," Thomas remarked to NYWICI members during the organization's 75th anniversary celebration in 2004. "You don't delineate someone in the profession as to whether they're a man or a woman, but what they do." But when she embarked on her career, female reporters were the exception, and a woman reporter covering the White House was unheard of. Is there a stronger competition among women who have had and still have to compete over the smaller share of the pie? Thomas doesn't think so. "Not anymore." Were women more reluctant to help each other when you started your career? "No, no, no," she says with emphasis. And if you could start all over again, would you chose the same profession? "Absolutely. Without a doubt." The answer comes without delay, and I can hear her smile. And yet, isn't journalism still a 'Boys' Club'? "No, I think it has become more and more a women's club! Women have come a long way. They still have a way to go in terms of equal pay and recognition. And they should not give up the fight for equality." Do you believe there will be a woman president soon? "Yes." Maybe already in 2008? "Why not? It is highly possible. It's about time for a woman!" Times
have changed for female journalists. Or have they? "Mostly beautiful, blond
women make it in broadcast journalism," Thomas once remarked wryly. Does
she think that still holds true today? "I'll give you the answer: Watch television!
You have to be very attractive. That's all I am saying. Women are picked usually
— often — not only for their talent but for their good looks."
She continues criticizing many of her fellow reporters, who in the aftermath of 9/11 "have fallen asleep on the job" and are only now "beginning to come out of their coma." As she wrote in her latest book, "The media do not — and should not — expect to win popularity contests. But they will be respected only if they remain true to the ideals of the profession. They must be detached. But they must also care." She is, however, slightly irritated by the statement that the public may not hold today's media in high esteem. "I don't give a damn! I don't care. I know how I try to do my job. I do have a high regard for the media. They try very hard to get to the truth, and its always being suppressed, whether it's in a dictatorship or in a democracy. There're some good newspaper people and some not so great. We should always find newspapers and listen to broadcasts that have some truth and believability. And integrity and credibility." What is the impact of new media and blogging on journalism and the public discourse? "It is very effective. But I wish that newspapers would be read more. You get a much better air view of what's going on from a newspaper than from blogging. Now everybody with a laptop thinks they're a journalist. I don't call them media. I call them individuals who are getting their point of view across." Will new media affect the presidential race? "I wouldn't be surprised." What will be the next trend in media? What will fade, what will stay? "I hope we'll still have newspapers." Will we? "Absolutely!" A recent report by the International Federation of Journalists claims that "insecurity in employment and a lower rate of pay appears to be having a negative impact on the quality of editorial content and may be jeopardizing the media's role as a watchdog for society." Media realities are changing. "I think it's terrible if that's the trend," Thomas declares. "Nothing can replace experience and real dedication to truth! Young people often don't react enough to what's going on in the world. "You got to have a conscience. I'd rather have my nose against the window pane than be part of the crowd. "Thank
God for leakers and whistleblowers. Whatever goes on in the world affects us all."
Home Page > Articles in English > Helen Thomas |
"I
was just part of a cabal, fighting the injustice of it all, of how women were
treated in every field." Helen Thomas reacts almost hesitantly to the notion
that without her, women journalists might not be where we are today. 
