Jim Lehrer, anchor of Public Broadcasting Service’s “The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer,” speaks to community members about his close ties to Kansas and the Emporia area Friday night at The Granada Theatre in downtown Emporia. Lehrer also took questions regarding the current state and future of journalism in the U.S./PHOTO BY KELLEN JENKINS
Jim Lehrer, anchor of Public Broadcasting Service’s “The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer,” spoke last Friday night at The Granada Theatre to a crowd of about 100 people.
Lehrer, a native Kansan, was hosted by the Center for Great Plains Studies. He discussed with audience members his memories of growing up in Kansas and how his experiences here have helped him give details in his novels, including “Eureka” and “Oh, Johnny,” which are both set in Kansas.
“All of these experiences flow naturally to me as a writer of fiction,” Lehrer said. “I wouldn’t be here tonight if Kansas didn’t mean a lot to me.”
Lehrer spoke about how he decided when he was 16 or 17 years old that he wanted to be a writer.
“I wanted to be a big-time journalist,” Lehrer said. “Except for three years in the Marine Corps, everything I’ve ever done has been to do that and I’ve never looked back.”
At the end of his speech, Lehrer accepted questions from the audience. He also gave his opinion about what American journalism has become today.
“I have a very old fashioned view of journalism,” Lehrer said. “There are three types of journalism – straight reporting, analysis and opinion. It’s all legitimate. But different people should do each of them. What has happened in the last few years is a new version of entertainment has been created. If you want entertainment, go to a circus. I don’t ever want to be confused for one of the clowns.”
Kelsey Ryan/The Bulletin
Loading ...
