Why Diane Sawyer Is Not A Good Replacement for Gibson

by Beth Kade

Women news anchors are becoming the norm on evening news these days. Katie Couric became the CBS Evening News anchor in September 1006.

Three years later ABC is following suit by announcing that Diane Sawyer will replace Charles Gibson who is set to retire at the end of the year.

I know women's groups are once again rejoicing. After all, it wasn't too long ago that women such as Connie Chung, who I loved, Barbara Walters and other women were always teamed up as co-anchors with men.

I think any other women would be just as good for the job. I just have issues with Sawyer. Here are the issues I see with promoting her to the position.

Her experience

I realize anchors work with scripts, but what happens when it is an emergency situation that she has to make do without a script. Sawyer does not do well in these situations.

I remember during the Sept. 11 tragedy, she actually asked one of the people at the scene if he thought if they put mattresses down that the people jumping out of the buildings would survive?

Horrible and insensitive journalism that no one called her on at the time.

Age

I am not trying to bring age discrimination into the discussion, but why do the younger journalist always get overlooked? Sawyer is 63, only three years younger than Gibson. Who is to say she won't retire soon as well? Why is it a bad thing to go a little younger to develop an anchor that will be on air for a while?

Reputation

As a woman, I just do not think she brings the same expertise and professionalism as other anchors have done or could do. I think part of that is being on a show such as Good Morning America for so long. I never really consider that a news show. Some of these white house correspondents or reporters, to me, seem more qualified and just voice with more leadership and authority.

These of course are just my views. I am curious to see how the ratings are affected in January. Still no name has been released as to who her replacement might be in the mean time.

Article submitted Tuesday, September 08, 2009 & read 18 times.

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