Andrea Mitchell on Rebuilding Faith in the News Media: ‘Trust Is the Coin of the Realm, and We Have to Be the Gold Standard'

The Peabody Awards will honor veteran NBC News' Chief Washington and Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent Andrea Mitchell with the Career Achievement Award, and the landmark sketch comedy series 'Saturday Night Live' with the Institutional Award during a June 1 ceremony in Beverly Hills.
Now in its 85th year, the Peabody Awards recognize the importance of storytelling and of narratives irrespective of genre or platform, whether the show be entertainment, news, a documentary, children's programing, radio, podcasting or a video game.
More from Variety
Kenan Thompson Suggests 'A Lot of Change' Is Coming For 'SNL' Season 51: 'You Want Everyone to Stay Forever'
Michael Che Gives Humiliating Apology to Scarlett Johansson for Lewd 'SNL' Jokes: 'I Was Just Lashing Out Because I'm Jealous ... I've Never Seen a Human Vagina'
'SNL': Kanye West Parodied, Says 'I'm in the KKK Now' in Wild Sketch With Mike Myers
Jeffrey P. Jones, executive director of the Peabody Awards, says that Mitchell's long, distinguished career as a journalist at various capacities covering the White House and international affairs — and the gravity of both of those positions — makes her an obvious choice for the award.
'It's someone like that who's had such a career in the public eye, we felt as if it was important to recognize not just that longevity, but the quality of her work and the importance of what quality journalism looks like in 2025. There's a lot of new and challenging understandings of what constitutes professional quality journalism. What better way than to demonstrate somebody who, for 30 years, has done it right?'
Mitchell isn't just flattered by the acknowledgement, she says, 'I can't tell you how thrilled I am. This is the ultimate recognition in our profession, and it's not just personally from my career, but also just how far we've come in broadcast journalism and how much television has been transformed since I first started. It means a lot to be the first woman to receive [the Career Achievement Award for journalism]. It is such a signature achievement.'
After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania in 1967, Mitchell was hired as a reporter for KYW radio in Philadelphia. When she first started as a journalist, she was told that women couldn't be in the newsroom. 'And now I look around and I have a woman bureau chief and a woman president of NBC News and women producers and colleagues and women at every level in our newsroom, throughout the company here in New York, around the world. So there is so much ratification,' she says.
And Mitchell has been at the forefront of that progress for women journalists, beginning in 1972 when she covered both the Republican and Democratic presidential conventions. She also covered all the Gorbachev-Reagan summits and the end of the Cold War, and interviewed everyone from Margaret Thatcher to Fidel Castro. 'I mean, who gets to do that?' she asks with a laugh.
'When I think about having a front row in history, it's such a responsibility because it's through our reports — through my reports, as well as my colleagues — that the American people get to experience all of these historic events. So that raises the bar in terms of how important it is to get our facts right. And to always be accurate and to share so much about how we're communicating history to people.'
The blurring of lines between 'news' and 'entertainment,' fueled by the spreading of fake news has snowballed into a major threat against the responsibility of the Fourth Estate, which has become more important than ever. Social media — and before that, talk radio and every other transformation of the way people consume news — has complicated what true journalists do. Their standards have to be in violet.
'They have to be accurate and fair and doing justice to the story, providing context analysis when it is appropriate, but not opinion,' Mitchell explains. 'You have to be true to your mission, and that is providing context and facts to your audiences, It doesn't matter what the platform is. We evolve with the technology, but the mission remains the same. … Trust is the coin of the realm, and we have to be the gold standard. We have to be absolutely right all the time. Getting something first is never as important as getting it right.'
And that is the sage advice Mitchell offers young, aspiring journalists coming up in the ranks: Do your homework. 'The best political reporters are the people who like to talk to people. If you don't like people and you don't want to ask questions and ask people about themselves and their lives, then I don't think you're going to ever rise to the level of, certainly, broadcast journalism. I mean, maybe there are other formats where you can fake it, but it's too transparent. You're too visible. People get it when you're not authentic.'
While Mitchell has covered the serious side of politics and history, 'SNL' has taken a tongue-in-cheek approach — but without pulling punches.
'Beyond being one of the longest programs on television, let's just count the ways in which 'Saturday Night Live' revolutionized so many facets of television itself,' says Jones. 'It helped define American television, for better or worse, what political humor and satire looks like. And one can't overstate the importance of Lorne Michaels as a creative and to having the vision for that 50 years ago, and then for making a show that people still tune into week after week. Given that 'SNL' is in its 50th year, we felt it was an appropriate time to tip our hat to them as a landmark television show that's 'an institution.''
Best of Variety
What's Coming to Netflix in June 2025
New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week
'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts?

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Yahoo

14 minutes ago

• Yahoo

Oregon Lottery Powerball, Pick 4 results for June 21

The Oregon Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here's a look at June 21, 2025, results for each game: 03-16-32-52-62, Powerball: 24, Power Play: 3 Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here. 1PM: 7-9-7-5 4PM: 9-9-6-5 7PM: 8-5-9-9 10PM: 2-3-7-3 Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here. 05-16-40-43 Check Win for Life payouts and previous drawings here. 08-09-16-21-43-45 Check Megabucks payouts and previous drawings here. Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results Powerball: 7:59 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. Mega Millions: 7:59 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday. Pick 4: 1 p.m., 4 p.m., 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. daily. Win for Life: 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. Megabucks: 7:29 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets. You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer. Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Oregon editor. You can send feedback using this form. This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Oregon Lottery Powerball, Pick 4 results for June 21

Yahoo

26 minutes ago

• Yahoo

Iran-Israel Conflict: How The UK Could Become A 'Target' If It Helps America Join The War

While domestic politics continues to flummox Keir Starmer, he has, so far, excelled on the world stage. He has emerged as a figurehead in Europe in the fight against Vladimir Putin and made sure the UK was the first country to strike a trade deal with the US after Donald Trump unveiled his chaotic tariffs. But Starmer is now facing his greatest test as an international leader: trying not to get pulled into a febrile war in the Middle East. When Israel struck Iran last week, supposedly over fears it was building nuclear warheads, Tehran was quick to retaliate. The US, Israel's strongest ally, initially seemed to favour de-escalation but Trump soon ramped up his rhetoric. He called for Iran's 'unconditional surrender' and claimed the country's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is 'an easy target' should the US decide to kill him. Asked if he was going to join in with the strikes, Trump said: 'I may do it. I may not do it. Nobody knows what I'm going to do. I can tell you this: Iran's got a lot of trouble, and they want to negotiate.' 'I may do it, I may not do it, nobody knows what I'm going to do'Donald Trump is asked if the US will strike Iranian nuclear facilities The President adds: 'Iran has got a lot of trouble' — Sky News (@SkyNews) June 18, 2025 The US president has now announced that he will make a decision on attacking Iran within the next fortnight, giving the world some much needed breathing space. But the clock is still ticking and it's unclear exactly where the UK stands amid Trump's indecision. Starmer has repeatedly called for de-escalation, urging Trump not to 'ramp up' the situation by taking military action. But there are fears that Britain could still be pulled into the war, even if not directly. The UK will likely offer defensive, intelligence and logistical support for Israel's self-defence than military engagement against Iranian targets. Britain also shares a military base with the US in the Chagos Islands. The States would have to get the UK's permissions to deploy jets from the shared facility in order to strike Iran. Either way, joining Israel's fight could have grave consequences, according to experts. A senior research fellow at RUSI on the Middle East and North Africa Security told HuffPost UK that an escalation would 'undoubtedly' endanger international security. Dr Burcu Ozcelik explained that any western state that 'actively engages' in operations against Iran 'could become a target by Iran-linked violent extremist groups'. Iran has set up militant proxies around the Middle East, including the Gaza-based Hamas, the Houthis in Yemen and Hezbollah in Lebanon, although most of these groups have been suppressed by Israel and the US. Still, Ozcelik warned: 'There are open-ended, potentially protracted, high-severity risks on the horizon as terrorist or violent organisations may seek to retaliate against what they perceive as western complicity in Israel's Operation Rising Lion. 'This is part of the worst case scenario planning that will weigh heavily on US, UK, and European governments.' Attacking Iran could result in 'kidnappings, targeted sabotage, or attacks against national assets and diplomatic missions abroad,' according to the academic. She added: 'The risk of attacks against western diplomatic, military and commercial interests located in the Middle East, scattered across the Gulf, for example, is a risk, as is Iranian threats to shut the Stait of Hormuz. 'Even disruption of the Strait, short of full shutdown, which counters Iran's own interests, will impact oil prices.' The Strait of Hormuz is the only sea passage from the Persian Gulf to open water and a quarter of the world's oil trade goes through it. Wael Sawan, the boss of the oil film Shell, warned on Thursday further escalation will cause 'a huge impact on global trade'. According to Sky News, the repercussions from supporting the US are not the only concerns the UK government might have right now. The attorney general Richard Hermer 'has questions' over the very legality of Israel's strikes on Iran, according to reports. As Lord Robertson, former secretary general of NATO, told Chatham House this week: 'All of these bits are on the chessboard and nobody knows really what is going to happen.' Pointing to the confusion around Trump's decision, he continued: 'It would appear at the moment that he's involved in a deadly game of brinkmanship, using the same skills that he had as a property developer. 'But this is not a plan for a condominium in New York, this is the future stability of the world.' And according to Ozelik, Starmer does not even control any major parts on the chessboard. She warned that while the prime minister may continue to call for de-escalation, 'it is highly doubtful that the EU or the UK has the leverage to influence Trump's decision making on Iran.' So Downing Street will be hoping that Trump will somehow be able to remove himself, and therefore the UK, from the chaos – otherwise the president risks getting the whole of the west into what he would describe as 'a lot of trouble'. As Trump Weighs Up Joining Israel's War Against Iran, Here's A Reminder How We Got Here Putin's Ability To Attack Ukraine Damaged By Iran's War With Israel, UK Says Keir Starmer Urges Donald Trump Not To Bomb Iran

Yahoo

an hour ago

• Yahoo

☕️🥐 FC Breakfast: bizarre Club World Cup moment 🥵, Wirtz's dad 😂

Heat in the USA 🥵 Borussia Dortmund's substitutes watched the match against Mamelodi... from the locker room! With temperatures over 30°, the players preferred to stay cool and watch the game. Liverpool, the family club 🫂 Florian Wirtz is the new star of the Reds. His father is already proudly showing off his nice jersey. Advertisement A family affair. Urawa's supporters 🤯 When Urawa scored against Inter, the supporters were ecstatic in the stands. Even though Inter won 2-1, the stands didn't let up. Yesterday's highlights 🍿 - Club World Cup: Jobe Bellingham scores his first goal with Dortmund 🔥 - 📸 This week's jersey news 👕 - Club World Cup: the huge reason why matches are frequently interrupted TV schedule 📺 6:00 PM: Juventus - Wydad (DAZN) 9:00 PM: Real Madrid - Pachuca (DAZN) 12:00 AM: Salzburg - Al Hilal (DAZN) 3:00 AM: Manchester City - Al Ain (DAZN) This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here. 📸 FEDERICO PARRA - AFP or licensors