Dive into Dawna Friesen’s journalistic journey: A candid conversation with Global News’ chief anchor
Journalism has always been one of the most vital ways to keep people informed and up to date. Anchors play a significant role in delivering news that is clear, concise, and accurate. One such anchor who has garnered attention and respect in the industry is Dawna Friesen, the Chief Anchor of Global News. She has been a journalist for over three decades and has covered some of the most impactful events worldwide. In this blog, we dive into Dawna Friesen’s journey as a journalist and discuss her insights and experiences.
Introduction
Dawna Friesen started her career in journalism at Canada’s national public broadcaster, CBC. After 11 years, she joined the Canadian Global Television Network in 2001. Dawna has worked as a foreign correspondent, anchor, and executive editor throughout her career. In 2010, she became the Chief Anchor of Global National News. In a recent interview, Dawna Friesen discussed her journalistic journey, challenges, and insights, providing a unique perspective on the world of journalism.
Section 1: Dawna Friesen’s Background
Dawna Friesen was born in Winnipeg, Canada, and completed her degree in Journalism from Carleton University in Ottawa. She started working at CBC News in 1985 in Winnipeg and then relocated to Toronto. Dawna Friesen said, “I never wanted to be an anchor when I started, but sometimes life takes you places you never imagined.” Her career as a journalist spanned from covering the Gulf War to the 9/11 attacks and the Syrian refugee crisis.
Section 2: Challenges in Journalism
Journalism is not an easy job. It involves high pressure, quick decision making, and being able to report the news as it happens. Dawna Friesen spoke candidly about the challenges of being a journalist, “It’s always been a difficult job, but it’s even more challenging now in the age of social media and disinformation.” She stressed that journalists must report the facts accurately and impartially, and keep up with fake news on social media platforms.
Section 3: Dawna Friesen’s Take on the Future of Journalism
Dawna Friesen spoke about the impact of technology on journalism. She predicts that the future of journalism will be a combination of traditional broadcasting and digital media. She emphasized the importance of good journalism and its role in educating the public. Friesen believes that the evolution of journalism will be most likely to help deliver credible and reliable news to people across the globe.
Section 4: Covering Important Stories
Dawna Friesen’s journalistic journey has seen her cover various iconic events. She shared her experiences of covering the War in Iraq, the 9/11 attacks, and the Syrian refugee crisis, saying “I was on the ground, and it was heart-wrenching. Nobody wants to be there to cover these stories, but it’s important to tell people what is happening.” She emphasized that their coverage must be truthful, and journalists must hold those in power accountable for their actions.
Section 5: Learning from Mistakes
Dawna Friesen recognizes that making mistakes is a part of being human and being a journalist. She acknowledged that sometimes reporters might make errors, but it’s essential to correct them swiftly and apologize if necessary. She believes that honesty and transparency are critical for a journalist, “You don’t have much else besides your credibility in this business.” It’s crucial to take responsibility for one’s mistakes and learn from them.
Section 6: Advice to Upcoming Journalists
Dawna Friesen provided insights as to what aspiring journalists can do to have a successful career. She advised them to have an open mind and being willing to learn. She recommended taking risks and being curious about things both locally and globally. She emphasized the importance of building one’s credibility as a journalist by developing skills, learning to fact-check, and providing thoughtful coverage.
Section 7: The Evolution of Media
Dawna Friesen spoke about the changes she has seen in the media industry. She acknowledged that the rise of social media and digital media has seen a shift in traditional journalism but believes that it’s important to maintain a balance between the two. Traditional media still plays a significant role in delivering credible news, and digital platforms provide an opportunity to engage with the audience.
FAQs
1. What qualifications does Dawna Friesen have?
Dawna Friesen graduated from Carleton University in Ottawa with a degree in Journalism. She has been a journalist for over three decades and has worked with esteemed news broadcasters like CBC and Global News.
2. What advice did Dawna Friesen have for aspiring journalists?
Dawna Friesen advised aspiring journalists to have an open mind, be willing to take risks, and learn as much as possible. She emphasized maintaining credibility by fact-checking, providing thoughtful coverage, and never being complacent in their craft.
3. What challenges does journalism face in the digital age?
With an increase in fake news, social media, and disinformation, journalism faces significant challenges. It is imperative for journalists to uphold high standards of truthfulness, accuracy, and impartiality.
4. What is Dawna Friesen’s take on the future of journalism?
Dawna Friesen predicts that the future of journalism will be a combination of traditional broadcasting and digital media. She believes that technological evolution is what will help deliver credible and reliable news to people across the globe.
5. What does Dawna Friesen stress regarding reporting news?
Dawna Friesen stresses that journalists report the facts accurately, impartially, and hold those in power accountable for their actions.
6. What advice does Dawna Friesen give about building credibility as a journalist?
Dawna Friesen advises journalists to put in the work to develop skills, learn to fact-check, build relationships with sources, and provide thoughtful coverage to establish oneself as a credible journalist.
7. What should aspiring journalists learn from their mistakes?
Dawna Friesen advises aspiring journalists to take responsibility for their mistakes, correct them quickly, and apologize if needed. She stresses the importance of honesty, transparency, and learning from the experience.
Conclusion
Dawna Friesen’s journalistic journey is inspiring and enlightening, providing insights and experiences to many aspiring journalists. From providing coverage on significant events globally, her dedication to providing accurate and thoughtful information is commendable. Journalists can take lessons from her to build their credibility, learn from their mistakes and have an open mind to evolve with the changing times. “Journalism is a vital instrument in our society and delivering the truth is at the heart of that instrument,” says Dawna Friesen. This provides a reminder of the importance of ethical journalism, especially in the digital age.