Peabody Award Winner and WREG-TV Assistant News Director, Bob Noonan, spoke at the Overby Center Tuesday as part of “Journalism Week.” Noonan spoke to students about what is needed and expected in the ever changing world of broadcast journalism as well as share some of his award winning documentary, “Did They Die in Vain?” The piece focused on the 1964 murder of three civil rights workers in the town of Philadelphia, Mississippi. Noonan decided to make the piece after the release of the movie, “Mississippi Burning” which depicts the same event. Noonan talked about the strugglers of interviewing people involved with an incident most in the area would like to forget and rarely bring up. The crew of the documentary at one point had their car broken into as well as the tape from that day’s work stolen. The piece was awarded a Peabody in 1989. The piece Noonan said, was a testament to what a small market tv station can accomplish with journalists that are willing.
Eagerness was something Noonan said is necessary to survive. Noonan also stressed the importance of acquiring internships while attending college. While journalism school is useful, Noonan asserted that one will gain invaluable experience that school simply cannot provide. Noonan closed by reminding students that this profession while rewarding, is not for the faint of heart; you must be willing to work hard while initially not making much money but for those who love it, the benefits will come.
Below is a segment from Noonan’s Peabody winning documentary, “Did They Die in Vain?”
