On Wednesday, April 29, Cheryl W. Thompson, an award-winning journalist and investigative correspondent for National Public Radio’s, headlined this year’s Hall School of Journalism and Communication M. Stanton Evans Symposium on the Troy Campus.
Thompson spoke with HSJC students and faculty members about her career, the “power of the pen,” and the need for journalism as a pillar of democracy. Before joining NPR in 2019 Thompson spent over 20 years at The Washington Post as an investigative reporter, writing about law enforcement, political corruption, guns and served as a White House correspondent during Barack Obama’s first term.
While working at The Gainesville Sun, Thompson discovered a passion for stories that went beyond the daily news cycle to make a real impact.
“I started examining spending by public officials and holding them accountable,” Thompson said. “These stories resonated with the powers that be in city government, which sometimes led to policy changes or personnel moves. In other words, the stories had impact, and impact is one of those things you hope for with investigative reporting. It may not happen with a story, but you want impact.”
During her stint at the Los Angeles Daily News, Thompson reported on the second largest school district in the country, where she said her passion for investigative journalism grew. She covered stories and breaking news events that led to the superintendent’s resignation, an experience that reinforced for her just how much responsibility comes with the job.
“The power of the pen is such a big deal, and you have to be really mindful of that,” Thompson said. “You have to dot every ‘i’ and cross every ‘t’ when you’re doing journalism, particularly investigative journalism.”
Thompson said she is often asked whether journalism will still be needed. Her answer is always yes.
“Never forget that journalism acts as a pillar of democracy,” Thompson said. “It ensures an informed public. We give listeners, viewers and readers the tools they need to make knowledgeable decisions locally and nationally. Current journalists and future journalists are watchdogs. We hold powerful institutions and individuals to account.”
During the question-and-answer portion of the symposium, Thompson was asked what advice she would give to aspiring or new journalists.
“Be consistent, don’t give up and follow your passion in life,” she said.
Following her keynote address, Thompson signed copies of her book “Forgotten Souls: The Search for The Lost Tuskegee Airmen,” which uncovers the stories of 27 Black pilots who disappeared during World War II.
About the M. Stanton Evans Symposium
The M. Stanton Evans Journalism Symposium is held on the Troy Campus each spring, bringing industry professionals to engage with students and the surrounding community. The symposium is named for Stan Evans, founder of the National Journalism Center in Washington, D.C., and TROY’s Buchanan Chair of Journalism from 1980 until his death in 2015, whose career as a national columnist, prolific author and longtime editor of the Indianapolis News left a lasting mark on the field and on the students he influenced along the way.
Photos from the M. Stanton Evans Symposium can be found here.
