IWMF Live

Judy Woodruff, CNN

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Welcome to IWMF Live. Today's host is Judy Woodruff. Judy is CNN's prime anchor and senior correspondent. She anchors Inside Politics with Judy Woodruff, the first daily program in the U.S. devoted exclusively to politics.

Sept. 25, 2002

Suzanne M., Texas: I'm not necessarily interested in having a management job in my newsroom, but I would like to take on more leadership responsibilities as a reporter. Can you suggest ways I can do this without having an "official" management title and role?

Judy Woodruff: The best way to demonstrate that you are able to take on more of a leadership role, is to be proactive: suggest stories that your newspaper or tv/radio outlet should cover; suggest approaches to covering a "trend" or a developing story that you believe isn't getting adequate coverage. Don't always wait for an assignment! And it always helps to offer your advice and counsel to younger women (and men) reporters, to let them know you are there to support them. And you can let management know you are doing this.

Azadeh Ensha: How much of one's success in this field, particularly being a woman,is dependent on being assertive and upspoken, meaning if you simply do a good job on assignments but remain in the background will you still be successful or do you have to be seen and heard? Thanks.

Judy Woodruff: The most important thing is to do a good job on covering stories, in reporting, because you will be noticed for the quality of your work. But all of us who report, know that you don't get a good story -- you don't get people to talk, unless you are assertive and even aggressive, at times. This doesn't mean you have to be obnoxious....but being laid back won't typically get the job done. In addition to that, it always helps to toot your own horn. In an appropriate way of course! I think women tend to be more reluctant than men to tout their own accomplishments -- I know this doesn't come naturally to me -- but women have to do more of this, if they are to survive in a highly competitive environment.

Jacqueline Mulanga: Judy,I am working in a public media in Kinshasa.I have already 18 years in this job as reporter,journalist,newswriter and what we call in French realisatrice but as we are in a african and poor country men don't like to promote women .They don't want to be lead by what they call "weak sex".I am struggling .What can you tell me as a senior media woman?

Judy Woodruff: I don't pretend to be able to have a good understanding of your situation, as I have only worked in the United States, and not in your country. And women in the U.S. have clearly been given many professional opportunities over the years, advantages that women around the rest of the globe do not enjoy. Having said that, I think some of the same advice I give to women in the U.S. may apply to you: it's important first and foremost to do the "basics" -- to get the story right, to do the best, most compelling writing -- to cover the news in a superior way; beyond that, it is important to press your case with your bosses. Speak to them as often as you can about what you are doing, and what more you want to do. Let them know directly what your goals and ambitions are. If they still choose to deny you opportunities, there will be other routes to pursue....perhaps there is another "boss" in the company you can speak with; perhaps you can go to someone on the outside for advice...an attorney or a senior journalist with another news organization. The point is to keep pushing. You won't likely get what you want right away, but don't give up!

Claudia Cunningham: In your interview with the IWMF, you talk about having some stumbling blocks or obstacles in your career. Have you ever been so discouraged that you wanted to leave journalism?

Judy Woodruff: Over a career that has spanned more than 30 years, of course there have been obstacles! There have been times when I've been so discouraged that I thought I should leave journalism...but so far, I've always come to my senses and realized that I can accomplish more as a journalist than I can doing anything else I can imagine. For all the changes that journalism has been through -- the technological advances, the 24 hour cable news cycle, creating constant deadlines, and enormous competitive pressure -- and for all the pressure I have felt, both personally and professionally -- I've always believed that journalism offers a unique way to reach viewers, readers, voters, and all citizens. It's probably egotistitcal, but I think I do a good job of explaining complex stories that matter to people, and I don't want to give up that chance just because of a momentary frustration over some aspect of the daily pressures that exist!

Rosemary Zummak: I am a high school librarian in Iowa. Ms. Woodruff, My colleagues and I are interested in advice for motivating young women to reach for the 'stars!' What can you tell me about your own motivation? What kind of support did you have as a teenager from your school system and from family? How much of this early support (or lack of ) influences you today? Thanks in advance for your comments! Rosemary

Judy Woodruff: What a good question, and what a complex one. Without painting a psychological profile of myself, I can tell you that much of my motivation came from inside me......and much from my mother. She never finished high school, and she always wanted me to get a good education and have a career. She also never learned to drive a car, so she was very dependent on my father, and others, and she wanted me to have more independence. I took those lessons, and my observation of her life, to heart, and I determined that I wanted to carve out a life of my own. But within reason! I did marry, at the age of 33, and my husband and I have three children, something I always wanted -- so I don't have the 100% independence that some people crave. And I work for a large media company. I am not an entrepreneur; I answer to bosses at CNN and ultimately, at AOL/TW. But I have achieved the level of independence that I want, given the fact that I want children, and I want the responsibilities that come with having them. It's a balancing act!

Prathibha Nandakumar: Dear Judy woodruff What exactely did you meant by saying 'don't burn your bridges'? Can you elobarate? Regards prathibha

Judy Woodruff: I don't recall the exact context, but I believe I meant that, in journalism, people have a way of popping up more than once in your life. If you have a bad experience with one individual, or with one boss, I don't think it pays to tell them they are a "no good _____" just because they disagree with you or they have done something that hurts you professionally. Why? because you never know when you'll have to deal with them again...and the next time, they might be your boss....or your employee.

Sandra Knispel: Dear Ms. Woodruff, Congratulations on a fabulous career! Women have made huge strides in television. Still, the young female faces outweigh the older. Do you see a gradual shift towards "allowing" older women to continue reporting in front of the camera, is sexism becoming less of an issue – or has the pressure for plastic surgery simply increased? Sincerely, Sandra Knispel

Judy Woodruff: As in the rest of American society, women who work in television journalism face pressures to keep up appearances. There is a double standard: men can age, show wrinkles and get gray hair....but women can't. It's not fair, but that's the way it is. Look at every magazine cover on any rack you walk by. Having said that, there's no question that women are being allowed to "age" on television, in ways we never dreamed of years ago. Part of that is because women don't look as "old" at age 50 or even 60, as they used to. A little of that may be due to cosmetic surgery....which has become more acceptable in society at large.....but most is due to women staying healthy, staying in good physical shape, eating well....and better lighting in the TV studio! So....yes, there is some easing, but the pressure is still there...and will always be there.

Lettie G in Botswana: That thing "How could I not hire someone with legs like yours?" how did you handle it because I find it offensive. Forgive me I haven't seen the interview with IWMF

Judy Woodruff: I was a senior in college, and had just been told by a television station news director in Atlanta, that he would hire me to be the newsroom secretary. His comment came at the end of our interview, as I was walking away. I was taken aback, of course...but decided rather than make an issue of it, and risk losing the job I had just been offered, I would ignore it. I felt then, and feel now, that women have to pick their battles: he meant it to be a harmless comment, and after I came to work for him, I tried to "educate" him about how to treat women. But he was much older than I, and I doubt that I changed his views a great deal. On the other hand, society has come a long way since 1968, when he said what he did: I don't think anyone could get away with that today. And I can assure you that I have spoken up over the years, when far more egregious comments were made in my presence. It all depends on the circumstances.

Heather Cheng: I really want to have a family and a successful career in journalism. Is this something that can be a reality? I'm very concerned about not being able to have both.

Judy Woodruff: I touched on this in an earlier question about what motivates me. Yes, you can most certainly combine family and a career in journalism, but you cannot give 100% to both. You will have to trim on your commitment to one or the other. I have tried not to trim any more than absolutely necessary in my commitment to my children, and my husband, but obviously, journalism is not a 9 to 5 job, and it requires a dedication and a commitment that can swallow up time and attention. I was travelling in California, covering a Senate race, when our first child took his first steps. I've missed some important moments with my children, but I've tried hard to keep those to a minimum. Conversely, I've told CNN that I don't prefer to travel constantly (be a correspondent overseas) or work weekends or evenings: I've tried to keep those times sacred for my family. There have been exceptions, as after 9/11, but by and large, I've drawn a fence around what I can do, and that has limited my opportunities. But it's a tradeoff I have been prepared to make.

Lisa floyd: In your experience as a journalist, what are the biggest necessary traits of an entrepreneurial journalist?

Judy Woodruff: Being a self starter. Having lots of good ideas. Persistence. Ability to work alone or at least not in a large group. Determination. Passion for the story: a burning desire to report the story and share it with the world.

Nadia Zarkov: I am a recent journalism graduate and I've sent out more than 200 resumes and I can't get a job. I've interned for the AP and for a small newspaper, but I can't get a REAL job. Do you have any suggestions about how I can get my first real job in journalism?

Judy Woodruff: You're doing all the right things. Keep it up! And look for an "in" -- a contact at a specific newspaper where you want to work...someone who likes you and will go to bat for you. That inside help will help. Have you tried the journalism organizations? Also, at least get a meeting with the editor...to seek his or her advice....that should help, even if they can't hire you right then. But mainly, keep trying...don't give up!

Eliza Sanchez: Do you believe the caliber of the news media is on the decline in the United States? It seems that the public does not have the same level of respect for journalists or the media that it once had. HOw do you believe the U.S. media stacks up aganist journalism around the world?

Judy Woodruff: I think respect for the news media waxes and wanes with the news and events in the world. After 9/11, the news media were held in high regard. Since then, that has slipped. The truth is that some people are not comfortable with the role a free press plays in society..that its job is to challenge and provoke and raise questions. But that's what we have to do, whether the public likes it or not. That doesn't mean we should be cynical or unnecessarily negative. And I do believe we should pay attention to what the public asks of us: if they want more coverage of health care, we should consider giving it to them. If they think the press is too critical of a politician, we should at least explain what we are doing, and why. But we have to be prepared to ask the tough questions. I wouldn't presume to compare the U.S. media with the media in other countries. We all operate under different circumstances. I willl say that we enjoy freedoms in the U.S. that we should cherish, and never take for granted.

Charlene Johnson: I am working for a small radio station in Kansas and I find that I am having a hard time balancing my work responsibilities and my family responsibilities. Frankly, this isn't a problem the men here have. They all have wives who support them in working 12-hour days. I'm a divorced mother of two, and I'm having a really hard time getting my boss to see that I have to have some flexibility to do my job. I am exhausted all the time and I also feel that the men around be don't see what the big deal is. I can only drink so much coffee. What can I do?

Judy Woodruff: I sympathize with you. Just hang in there; try to sit down with your boss and go over your situation. Is there someone outside the station who could help you persuade your boss? someone whose views he respects? Are there other visible women in the community who are juggling? Look for allies. And good luck!

Amy in Alaska: What changes have you noticed in men's and women's leadership styles in the news industry over the course of your career, particularly as women have begun rising to higher levels in greater numbers?

Judy Woodruff: women tend to be more collaborative...less in need of getting credit for what is accomplished. women make great bosses! I have one now...Teya Ryan is President of CNN America.

Thanks to Judy Woodruff for joining us today on IWMF Live.

Join us tomorrow at 1 p.m. EST (17:00 GMT) when we will be chatting with Liza Gross of Puerto Rico’s El Nuevo Dia. You can submit questions to Liza ahead of time.