Diane Sawyer's big promotion

Diane Sawyer is moving up the ABC News latter. The current co-host of "Good Morning America" will take over for Charles Gibson on ABC's "World News" in January.

I was more than excited when I heard this news. Though I don't love Katie Couric on CBS, I love the fact that two women will be anchoring two of the three network nightly news programs! As a journalist, I respect both Couric and Sawyer. As a woman, I say—it's about time!

I currently prefer watching Brian Williams on NBC, but I will definitely watch Sawyer when she starts.

(photo via NYTimes)

A toast to Damon Weaver

This made my day when I woke up this morning. Damon Weaver, the 11-year-old student reporter from Florida, whose dream was to interview President Obama got his interview yesterday!

I first caught wind of this kid—his talent for interviewing and his charm—shortly after the election in November 2008, when he made a video message to persuade Obama to let him interview him. In it, he interviewed Dwayne Wade and another Miami Heat basketball player, asking them if they thought Obama should allow the interview and why.

After a quick search of his name, I found that he's interviewed lots of celebrities including Oprah Winfrey, Paula Abdul and then-Sen. Joe Biden.

With Biden's interview, the vice president became Weaver's "homeboy". In his interview with the president Thursday, Weaver asked Obama if he would now like to become Weaver's "homeboy" too, which elicited both a smile, a handshake and an "of course" from the president.

This kid has so much spirit and potential. I hope he keeps his journalistic aspirations alive, because his resume is already better than mine!

I also think something should be said about Obama for letting the interview take place. It's really inspiring to know that he believes in this kid as much as the rest of us do. Very cool move, Mr. President. I especially love how the president actually announced something during the interview—an education speech for Sept. 8—so Weaver was able to break news while he was there. The White House even posted the interview online and called it "Damon Weaver breaks news from the White House."

I wonder if Weaver met the Obama daughters?!

Jeanine plans to major in journalism at UCLA!

I didn't think I could love her more, but I do! On Monday's "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon", Jeanine performed with Phillip and said she was starting UCLA classes a semester late because of the SYTYCD tour. The host then asked if she would be majoring in dance, to which she replied that she wasn't and was actually majoring in broadcast journalism—telling Fallon that she was going to take over his job! You can see the clip here: The section with Jeanine is Chapter 4.

And how did I miss her on Live with Regis and Kelly?! Jeanine teaches Ashton how to do a lift, but getting down was another issue ... watch below and watch some behind the scene footage here.

Another interview with Good Day LA.

RIP Walter Cronkite

Following the death Friday of Walter Cronkite, perhaps the most famous anchorman of the 20th century, the Daily Beast posted seven of his most memorable broadcasts. Included were the announcements of JFK's and Martin Luther King Jr.'s deaths, the 1969 moon landing and this somewhat haunting clip immediately after 9/11:

 

It's amazing to watch now, as Cronkite said there may be other alternatives to military action in getting retribution for the 9/11 terrorist attacks.  

Cronkite revolutionized television news and at one time was considered the most trusted man in America for his news delivery. RIP Mr. Cronkite. You were one of journalism's greats.

Memories of Michael Jackson differ between Gen X and Y

The article I co-wrote about how Michael Jackson will be remembered by younger generations is now online. You can read it here. How will you remember him? As the entertainer or the eccentric? Some of my friends and I were talking about how he was the true definition of a celebrity. That's what he lived day in and day out—being a celebrity. I think that's an accurate description. 

I also found some interesting articles by Maureen Orth, a writer for Vanity Fair. Orth covered MJ's court appearances over the past 15 years. You can read her chronicled articles here.

(photo via VF)

Federal shield law re-introduced in House

A federal shield law that would allow journalists the right to protect confidential sources was re-introduced in the House today. The bill is called the Free Flow of Information Act of 2009.

The bill was introduced by U.S. Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Va., Rep Mike Pence, R-Ind., Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., and Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Va.

"The absence of federal legislation protecting reporters' sources limits the public's access to information which is vital to the functioning of a democratic society," Boucher said in a statement. "The press allows citizens to serve as watchdogs, speaking out about and exposing what are often illegal, corrupt, or dangerous activities by both private and government actors."

This bill would grant a reporters' privilege—which in my opinion is essential.

Carl Bernstein's reaction

Carl Bernstein, Pulitzer Prize winning journalist most famous for exposing Nixon's involvement in Watergate with Bob Woodward, on Rachel Maddow's show talking about the alleged wiretapping of journalists during former President George W. Bush's term.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Spying on journalists? I hope not.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

MSP's 'Meet the New Press'

I don't typically like things University of Minnesota (given that I attend UW-Madison), however, this article in this month's issue of Mpls.St.Paul Magazine speaks volumes to how I feel about the current state of the journalism world.

I agree with a lot of what the interviewees say about the future of newspapers and digital media.

S.Trib files bankrupcy

It's a sad day for MN journalism as the Star Tribune filed a Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition Thursday night. 

The Star Tribune is MN's largest newspaper.

"We intend to use the Chapter 11 process to make this great Twin Cities institution stronger, leaner and more efficient so that it is well positioned to benefit when economic conditions begin to improve," Chris Harte, the paper's publisher, said in a statement.

The paper is owned by Avista Capital Partners, who bought the paper less than two years ago for $530 million. Through mergers of various Twin Cities publications, the paper has been in operation for more than 140 years.

In an open letter to Star Tribune readers, Harte wrote the filing was "necessary to reduce [the paper's] operating costs, restructure [its] debt and create a financially viable business for the future."

Harte wrote that the filing will allow "business as usual," including print and online editions.

This filing comes about a month after the Tribune Company filed for bankrupcy—another sign that print journalism is a dying breed.