Linsey Davis—Old School, Young Soul
One of the most invisible journalists on TV that you probably have never heard of is Linsey Davis; and that is a good thing. As a matter of fact, for her profession, it is one of the highest compliments a journalist can get.
She is not to be confused with many of her colleagues in journalism who are more media whores than journalists.
Davis is a correspondent for ABC News who reports for World News, Good Morning America, Nightline, and 20/20.
She has two Emmy Awards and a regional Edward R. Murrow Award on her trophy shelf. She is also the author of the New York Times best-selling children’s book, “The World is Awake” and the just released book “One Big Heart.”
Davis was born in Pennsylvania and grew up in New Jersey. She matriculated to the University of Virginia for her undergraduate studies, receiving a degree in psychology. She received her master’s degree in communications from New York University.
She joined ABC News in 2007 and last week did something that only two other Black women have ever done. She was one of the moderators for last week’s Democrat presidential debate hosted by ABC.
She joins the likes of legendary journalists Carole Simpson and the late Gwen Ifill. Simpson moderated a debate in 1992 and Ifill did in both 2004 and 2008.
Davis, like Simpson and Ifill, are good friends of mine; and she is simply one of the nicest people you will ever meet.
These three women were all old school journalists who brought honor, dignity, and grace to the profession of journalism. These types of journalists are going the way of the dinosaurs, unfortunately!
These women didn’t seek to inject themselves into their stories or seek to constantly give us their opinions on every issue imaginable.
Davis was a great counter to the embarrassing debacle of ABC choosing radical liberal Jorge Ramos as a moderator. Ramos didn’t ask questions but rather made speeches and then asked the candidates to comment on them.
When you ask what is the definition of a journalist, you will see a picture of Linsey Davis. Her approach to journalism should be taught in every journalism school in America. Her approach should be mandatory. As a matter of fact, it already is. It’s called the Society of Professional Journalists code of ethics.
With all the embarrassing behavior going on with people who “claim” to be journalists, Davis is truly a refreshing throwback to the days of old where a news story, in large part, was dependent on the credibility of the journalist.
This was Davis’ first time participating in a presidential debate and the mere fact that there was very little conversation about her after the debate was the surest sign that she did her job professionally; unlike Ramos who was roundly criticized for his lack of journalistic integrity during the debate.
Davis is an old school journalist though she is a young soul. Maybe she can help prevent the dinosaur of real journalism from becoming extinct.
Raynard Jackson is a Pulitzer Award nominated columnist and founder and chairman of Black Americans for a Better Future (BAFBF), a federally registered 527 Super PAC established to get more Blacks involved in the Republican Party. BAFBF focuses on the Black entrepreneur. For more information about BAFBF, visit www.bafbf.org. You can follow Raynard on Twitter @Raynard1223.
