Fourth Estate winner Zirinsky: Media must ‘eliminate the noise and distinguish fact from fiction’
Susan Zirinsky began her career in the CBS News Washington bureau while still in college as a researcher on the Watergate scandal. More than 40 years later, she’s running the organization during an equally tumultuous time for the country.
As president and senior executive producer of CBS News, Zirinsky has led its coverage of a presidential election with historically high turnout in a deeply divided the nation. The tension has been exacerbated by a volatile President Donald Trump and his attacks on the media.
Instead of being drawn into daily combat with the White House, Zirinsky said she has concentrated on giving CBS viewers objective coverage based on facts.
She followed that game plan even when Trump walked out of a recent “60 Minutes” interview, and the White House broke an agreement with the network by posting raw footage of the session.
“Our goal was not to take the bait,” Zirinsky said as she accepted the National Press Club’s Fourth Estate Award at a Nov. 18 virtual gala. “We remained focused on our next question: What do the American people need to know? It’s our job to eliminate the noise and distinguish fact from fiction. We have editorial responsibilities to put context to all voices.”
The Fourth Estate Award, the Club's highest honor, recognizes lifetime contributions to American journalism. Sponsored by the Club and the National Press Club Journalism Institute, the gala was held online due to the coronavirus pandemic.
A studio segment hosted by Club President Michael Freedman and NPCJI board President Angela Greiling Keane featured the original microphone Edward R. Murrow used for his CBS Radio reports from London during World War II -- coverage that marked the advent of broadcast journalism.
‘Z’ becomes CBS News icon
Zirinsky became president of CBS News in March 2019. She is the first woman to hold the top position. Over the course of four decades at the network, she has orchestrated coverage of many historic events, won awards for a variety of documentaries and programs and served as White House producer for 10 years. Prior to ascending to her current position, she was the senior executive producer of “48 Hours.”
Known as “Z” to her colleagues, Zirinsky combines boundless energy and relentless drive with humor and kindness, according to tributes to her in a video shown during the awards program. She cut such a distinctive profile in the newsroom that she was the model for the protagonist of the movie “Broadcast News,” a role made indelible by actress Holly Hunter.
Since taking the helm of CBS News, Zirinsky has moved its nightly news program to Washington, expanded the network’s multi-media presence and implemented an initiative to make the CBS workforce and its coverage more equitable and inclusive.
Real democracy requires free press
The media must forge ahead “in a world where journalism has been denounced as fake news” by adhering to its basic principle of objectivity, Zirinsky said.
“We all know real democracy cannot exist without a free press – a true press, objective, unbiased, not a press with a point of view,” Zirinsky said. “We witness and record history as it unfolds every day. This isn’t a vocation. It’s a calling.”
Challenges lie ahead following an election that will leave a political chasm in its wake, as more people voted for the losing candidate than had previously voted for a White House winner.
“In order to heal that divide, we as journalists have to report on that divide fairly,” Zirinsky said. “In order to understand what separates us as people, we have to understand what they’re going through – their beliefs, their guiding principles. We have to have empathy.”
She added: “To serve the American people, you have to ask the questions that get answers for all Americans. The most important thing we can do right now is get it right.”
Honoring Tirado, Ressa, Yong
The gala also celebrated several other journalists who have made distinguished contributions to the field.
Linda Tirado, a freelance author and photojournalist, won the domestic John Aubuchon Press Freedom Award. She was covering racial justice protests in Minneapolis in May when a policeman’s foam bullet hit her in the left-eye, causing her to lose her sight in that eye.
Maria Ressa, chief executive of the social news network Rappler, won the international John Aubuchon Press Freedom Award for her efforts to promote independent journalism in the Philippines. President Rodrigo Duterte has tried to silence Ressa, and she has been convicted on false charges of cyber libel.
Ed Yong, a science journalist and staff writer for the Atlantic, won the Neil and Susan Sheehan Award for Investigative Reporting for his in-depth and analytical coverage of the effect of the coronavirus pandemic on society.
The NPCJI raised more than $100,000 at the gala to support its press freedom and professional development missions.