From Church Pulpits to Breaking News: Deborah Horne's Journey

Host Kevin sits down with veteran television reporter Deborah Horne to trace her path from Newport News, Virginia, to a distinguished career in broadcast journalism. They discuss the moment the journalism spark ignited — the assassination of John F. Kennedy and the transformative power of television — and Deborah's early influences, including the black church and mentors who nurtured her voice. The conversation covers Deborah's education and transition from print to TV, early career setbacks and breakthroughs, and practical advice for aspiring journalists: how to network, the value of internships (and how the landscape has changed), the importance of being camera-ready, and how to build a reputation through persistence and informational interviews. Deborah shares candid stories about on-the-job pressures, the realities of field reporting, and why temperament matters for different newsroom roles. They also tackle modern challenges in journalism — misinformation, AI-generated content, and the urgent need for verification under tight deadlines — and Deborah offers guidance on maintaining accuracy and trust in an increasingly fragmented media environment. Listeners can expect honest reflections, actionable career tips for young reporters, and an inside look at the demands and rewards of life on the beat. For more information about careers in journalism: https://www.sabj-online.org/. The Seattle Association of Black Journalists. This podcast also appeared at part of the Beyond the Byline podcast series.