Brian Ross

How many people can say they have been slapped by the pope, put at gun point, and been on a hijacked plan? 

For Brian Ross, father of YDN’s Colin Ross, this is just another day in the office—getting his hands on the best and most respected investigative reporting material.  Today at SJP Ross talked about his career path and where broadcast journalism has led him. 

Originally, Ross started off at his high school sports desk, later studying at Northwestern and the University of Iowa.  He said that his choice for broadcast journalism was twofold—he liked being in front of the camera and broadcasting seem like a more creative part of journalism news.

After college Ross had several jobs at local networks in Iowa, Miami, and Cleveland, but it was his individuality and motivation that brought him up the ladder of success.  He didn’t always do what he was told and at his first job was fired for investigating and running a story his boss said was not news worthy.  This unemployment did not stop Ross he kept moving, and later went on to working on stories about Watergate and Mobsters in Ohio.  His story of these Mobsters eventually made it to national news.  It just goes to show you as Ross said, there is a story with potential everywhere, treat each story as essential as possible and you might surprise yourself. 

As far as the actually writing goes, Ross off- camera, writes all of his own material just like Diane Sawyer and George Stephanopoulos.  Ross also said that writing for television is difficult because all material must be condensed into two minutes, while in a newspaper it might be eight paragraphs long.  Broadcasting also requires visuals, time, and a means of displaying the information as clearly and concisely as possible.

Ross said he loves his job because it feels good getting justice for others and letting others to confide in him for help.