Lesley Stahl | 07/12/2009 11:00 pm

Lesley Stahl Names Her Favorite Female Newsers

In response to: What woman or women do you consider to be the media's rising stars, and why?

It’s more and more difficult for anyone in the TV news business to make a name for herself (or himself) because audiences are shriveling, and there are so many choices of outlets (cable and otherwise). When I started at CBS News, there were only three. Still, there seem to be as many impressive young women on the air as men … which warms the heart! I’m a big fan of Mika Brzezinski on "Morning Joe." She’s become one of the "guys" on hard news subjects. I’m impressed with Maria Bartiromo and Erin Burnett at CNBC, and Kimberly Dozier at CBS. ‘Course, I still love the been-around-for-a-while types – like Diane Sawyer!

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I am not familiar with all of them, but I have seen Maria Bartiromo & Kimberly Dozier, & have been impressed. Aside from the intelligent & gorgeous Diane Sawyer who has mastered light & heavy news, I have to mention Martha Raddatz, who always brings me to attention when she appears. She’s trustworthy, honest & straightforward, as some senior men have been described. I also think we need her out in the field, rather than stuck behind a news desk.

By Carole Del Monte on 07/13/2009 9:34 am

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I have so much respect for Martha Raddatz’ reporting.

By Alice Alice on 07/13/2009 10:34 pm

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even her fem-macho GI Journo behavior? give us a break.

By Jawaralal Bernstein on 07/14/2009 11:52 am

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I agree with Leslie, though I also like Soledad O’Brien.

By Norma Grooms on 07/13/2009 12:32 pm

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Soledad went to Harvard. You can always tell a Harvard woman, but you cannot tell her much.

By Jawaralal Bernstein on 07/14/2009 8:57 pm

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I’ve just lost all respect for Lesley Stahl.

Mika simply acts like a pet monkey next to Joe. Subservient and parroting other panelists’ points.

By Lee Hazer on 07/13/2009 3:03 pm

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There is nothing impressive about Mika. She’s a female. She has a national, public outlet. But if there were something impressive about her, Joe would get rid of her for being a threat. Please oh please stop trying to find somebody to fill the gap for whatever it is you’re looking for. It truly diminishes the capabilities and achievements of truly worthwhile female voices.

By Rantn Raven on 07/13/2009 3:24 pm

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Lesley you have to be kidding, Mika is the most dumbest female jornalist on TV. Lesley, I lost respect for you, I did not realize that you were just as dumb as her.

By Yolanda LOpez on 07/13/2009 3:24 pm

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Lesley can’t be all that dumb. Her grammar is better than yours.

By Alice Alice on 07/13/2009 10:17 pm

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Mika keeps the show together. Joe Scarborough is out of his league with her. He talks just to hear himself, interrupts too much and drones on too long.

There are many "newsbabes" but the ones at Fox are rather cold. Gretchen Carlson ? Please! and Greta uh no thanks. Megan Kelly ? Verdicts out still….

By Eddie Bishop on 07/13/2009 4:22 pm

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My goodness gracious, as Rummy would say, what are you reviewing JB? I thought this article was about journalism not about one’s size. So you think she’s scrawny. If so, why does she need "pruning"? And whatever is "bifurcing"? "Digitalis" would make her "more presentable"? Methinks it might kill her.

By Alice Alice on 07/13/2009 10:31 pm

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I have to say I am shocked by the female "journalists" Stahl selected in this piece. What Mika does is not journalism. She sold out long ago. Maria Bartiromo and Erin Burnett at CNBC are shills, plain and simple, for the corporations they "report" on. Bartiromo’s "interviews" are advertorials for the corporations she "investigates." Burnett is doing the typcial "I am not part of the liberal media" schtick and is great at the serious stares, as she goes along to get along. Real journalists might include Christiane Amanpour or Gwen Ifill.

By Miz B on 07/14/2009 12:53 am

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If Mika’s the future of women in journalism— we’re in serious trouble. She’s a bobblehead at best, Joes’s parrot… "Oh! Ahhh! Really? I’m so excited. Mmmm. Yeahhhh. Yep. Mmmmm. Oh Joe, be nice!"

By Mint Vagoo on 07/14/2009 4:55 am

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Sorry Leslie, I have to strongly disagree with you about Mika. That she allows herself to be constantly demeaned by Joe S. makes me cringe. She becomes more and more his "adoring" sidekick. I guess the job is more important to her than her ability to function as a respected journalist or commentator….. of course she is on the wrong show to do that!

I strongly agree with the people who mentioned Radditz. Solidad O’Brian has done a very impressive as a journalist, reporting on important issues when previously she was restricted in her morning CNN anchor role.

But what about Ifill, Lesley? How could you not name her. She is clearly a fine journalist of substance with a great sense of humor. The fact that she has been a mainstay on PBS New Hour and Washington Week in review speaks to that substance.

Lastly, Amanpour. I cannot think of a journalist who has done more for integrity in journalism than she has. Her name alone, entices millions to tune in for her reports. She has every quality required to be a respected and effective journalist and she is courageous beyond words.

I hope we will hear from you again when you have read your feedback.

By Carole Lange Esley on 07/14/2009 6:03 am