Seen and Heard: The Women of Television News

Front Cover
Lexington Books, 2008 - 225 pages
As a messenger of television news, an anchorperson must hook the audience and make them pay attention. In America, there has been a strong tradition of male news anchors--Edward R. Murrow, Walter Cronkite, Dan Rather, Peter Jennings. These men, perched at their 'electronic hearths', recounted the details of America's most significant history to its citizens. Today, women are visible in every area of television news, even in the hallowed anchor chair, but their presence has been hard-fought and continues to present unique challenges. When Oprah Winfrey edorsed the presidential candidacy of Barack Obama, it reinforced the tremendous power a broadcaster can wield. Seen and Heard examines the lives, careers, and communication styles of twelve of the most compelling and recognizable women of television news, including Christiane Amanpour, Elizabeth Vargas, Diane Sawyer, Paula Zahn, Judy Woodruff, and Candy Crowley. From Barbara Walters's vast career that spans more than half a century to Katie Couric's historic appointment as the sole anchor of the CBS Evening News, this book explores the obstacles and opportunities for women in broadcasting.
 

Contents

INTRODUCTION Anchors in America
1
FROM PERSISTENT TO POWERFUL
31
ANCHORS AWAY
63
THE WORLDLY WONDER
91
POLITICALLY SPEAKING
113
VETERAN AND VARIED
145
FROM MORNING TO EVENING
167
TURNING UP THE VOLUME The Future of Women in Television Broadcasting
195
BIBLIOGRAPHY
205
INDEX
219
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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About the author (2008)

Nichola D. Gutgold is associate professor of communication arts and sciences at Pennsylvania State University at Lehigh Valley.

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