There are many people today at both major and smaller broadcast stations and newspapers who consider themselves good journalists, but in reality it was always very difficult for journalists to measure up to the level and integrity of Tim Russert’s professionalism. His objectivity and desire to search for the truth pared with his politeness was unique to Russert and will always be admired as well as looked up to by fellow journalists.
Modern political journalism is about providing information on issues and allowing the viewer to make up his or her own mind instead of letting the show hosts turn the focus on himself and on his own opinion. When hosting a show or interviewing a politician, the viewer never had the feeling that Russert dominated the discussion, on the contrary, he allowed his guest to explain his point of views and formed his questions to clarify, and not confuse the interviewed experts’ responses.
“Meet the Press” was a very good example of Russert’s extraordinary work ethic and lawyer-like clear logic. Soon after Russert took over “Meet the Press.” and elevated it to a political test that all politicians had to pass in order to succeed on Capital Hill. Also, watching his Sunday morning show, his wide knowledge became apparent for those who watched his interviews and listened to his questions. The degree of preparation and research made him one of the best journalists. He was always perfectly prepared about the issue discussed with his guest, and would patiently take the time to listen to the responses, ready to follow with a new question.
Tim Russert was a role model for many journalists who wanted to become a fair and knowledgeable interviewer, someone who did not have a hidden political agenda in mind when hosting a show and was not trying to shove his point of view down on the viewers’ throat. In fact, watching “Meet the Press,” the tough but fair Russert was never partisan or subjective, but rather analytical.
One thing is certain; Tim Russert’s role was and always will be imperative in shaping modern journalism. His personal example of extensive preparation and objective reasoning set the standard very high for all journalists. Those show hosts on news stations who believe that the viewers turn on the TV to listen to their self-centered opinions and subjective, uneducated and often incorrect reasoning should look back at real journalists’ works, like Tim Russert’s “Meet the Press”, and ask themselves the question: are they educating the viewers on issue by proving interviews with politicians and experts, or just taking the space at the studio, robbing potential journalists from the opportunity to be heard, and possibly become the next Tim Russert?
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