Words from a Reporting Legend

Guest Speaker-  Investigative Reporter, Wayne Barrett

      The Woody Tanger Auditorium was filled with people eagerly waiting to hear from the legend, Wayne Barrett, who can not type a positive word, and admits it’s “his weakness.” Barrett, is an investigative reporter in New York City, who believes, “we investigate the powerful.”  For close to 40 years Barrett was well known at the Village Voice, writing more than 2,000 stories there. He was also the author of five books, two included, Rudy Giuliani, and one Donald Trump.

      Wayne Barrett started his speech with the rising question, “what do we have to fear, adjectives?” He then explains the paradox of Journalism. Editors want us to be the touch guy but also get along with everyone in the newsroom. “Deal with the people you may not want to if they will fill the computer with good stories,” Barrett says.  When Barrett explained his life as an investigative reporter, he states that, “some people lost their way,” to be an investigative reporter is to be powerful all around. When a question was asked, “what is some advice you can give for future investigative reporting, he replies, “doctors, and lawyers tell the truth, but there is something unique about the profession of  Journalism, telling the truth is the point to reporting, “we get paid to tell the truth”. Barrett admitts that some of the best investigative reporting comes from the New York Times.

      When Barrett, wrote his books on Rudy Giuliani, and Donald Trump, he had a point which was that “all should matter.” He wanted to bring out the past. He felt as if “we have no respect for the past.” We can only think of present tense, but the past has shaped everything that is going on today. He asks the question, “what happened in history class?” He seems to think that our generation has cared less about the history of the United States, then his generation did. Journalist’s should always know about the history of the press because it is very important for new journalism.

      Barrett explains that he didn’t always want to be Journalist, he wanted to be a lawyer, but never finished with that commitment, nor attended law school. He was into debates, and winning arguments.  He decided he was going to get into Journalism, but a certain kind of journalism, investigative reporting, “because that was the closet to his original plan.” He loved his occupation for it’s “irresponsible nature,” and “thrill of defaming.” He is not only an investigative reporter, and an author for his five books, he is also a professor at Columbia University.

      Lastly Barrett spoke about internships, and encouraged all young Journalists to take up that opportunity. He says, “Interns learned more about Journalism then they would in a college class. It gives you a certain drive a class can not.” He offered advice, such as if taking an internship, make sure you get a reference if you are doing well, or to be in touch with that organization for future job opportunity.” Barrett is in touch with 75% of interns. A student at Brooklyn College, Barry Shifrim, is currently interning with him. As Barrett was pressed for time, he ends the speech, by saying he will always be a “New York Guy.”