A Candid Chat with News 4's Jacquie Walker

Matt Biddle 0

For the last 26 years, Western New Yorkers have invited Jacquie Walker into their homes as a member of the News 4 team. Throughout that time, Walker has delivered hard-hitting, award-winning reports on everything from the Oklahoma City bombing tragedy to the Bills' four attempts at Super Bowl glory. Currently, she co-anchors WIVB's top-rated 5PM, 6PM and 11PM news broadcasts with Don Postles. She also remains a firm advocate for community involvement, working with organizations like the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and emceeing various charity events, such as a recent walk for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. I decided to turn the lens onto Walker, who said she appreciates the support she's been given over the last 26 years. We sat down to talk about what led her to News 4, what were her most memorable stories and where she sees journalism progressing in the future.

Matt Biddle: Let's start from the beginning - how did you first become interested in broadcast journalism?

Jacquie Walker: Broadcast journalism was not my first choice in career. My degree is in Advertising Management from Michigan State University. Why did I choose advertising? I have no idea! As it turns out, I did great in school and was recruited by one of the top advertising agencies in the country, Leo Burnett. I worked there for two years until I woke up every morning and said, "Please Lord, don't make me go back to work today." Then I did what I advise every young person now never to do - I walked in one day, and I quit. I didn't have another job, I didn't have a game plan.

MB: How did you get into journalism then?

JW: I did what I should have done in college - I went through a real period of self-examination. In my household there was a great deal of value placed on news and current events. In my house - and this will date me - when Walter Cronkite spoke, you were quiet and everybody listened. I was a very good writer and I'd been in situations where I had to speak in front of large groups of people. All of those factors led me to a career in broadcast journalism.

MB: You've been at Channel 4 for almost 26 years. Why have you stayed here for so long?

JW: To borrow a phrase, "Life happens." I married the most wonderful man on Earth and I gave birth to two boys. This is a fabulous place to raise a family, and the station has opened a lot of doors for me.

MB: Is there a story you've done here that's particularly piqued your interest? What's your most memorable assignment?

JW: Going to Oklahoma City after the Oklahoma City bombing. That was a powerful, powerful story that lasted for many days. With my photographer Tom, I produced a series of reports that, I hope, conveyed the impact of what happened. I went there on a moment's notice once we realized that the man suspected of being the bomber was from Western New York. I talked to people from all walks of life who lost loved ones and I interviewed them knowing that the suspect was from my home area. It was difficult, to say the least, and the things I saw will stay with me forever.

I've had some great opportunities: I've flown in an F4 phantom jet, I've flown onto and off of an aircraft carrier. I interviewed, at length, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who predicted the end of apartheid when I talked to him. I'm the only television news reporter to have covered all four of the Bills' Super Bowls.

MB: You've been recognized for your charity work throughout the community. Why do you feel it's important to give back?

JW: I feel we all have an obligation to serve others. I don't care what your job is, I don't care how much you're making - I think each one of us is obligated to serve the community in some way, large or small. It can be as small as reading a book to a child in your neighborhood.

MB: Where do you see journalism going in the future?

JW: What I see happening right now is like watching sausage being made - It's horrifying, yet fascinating at the same time. We are in the middle of a revolution, which is not pretty. None of us know how it's going to end up. There will always be a need for good journalism, but the problem right now is: Where is the money going to come to support it? I don't think people realize what they're losing when newspapers close, when television stations cut their news teams, or when radio stations completely stop delivering news.

MB: News 4 had its share of layoffs as well, unfortunately. What was your reaction to them? Did you think it could happen here?

JW: Anybody who works in this business knows that layoffs and cutbacks are all possible. It is the reality of this moment. I feel terrible we lost some wonderful people because a newsroom is a family. We work in one big room and we see each other every day. We socialize; we celebrate births and mourn deaths together. We are a family. It's very difficult.

MB: What advice would you give to young people or someone hoping to get into journalism?

JW: (laughing) The first thing I'd say is turn 180 degrees and run as far as you can in the opposite direction. My next piece of advice would be: If you are curious about the world around you, interested in current events, a good writer and have a strong sense of integrity, I welcome you to this profession. We need you.

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