Breaking the News: A Journalist's Perspective
In 2022, Allison Sandza (Jour’09) became the executive producer for the ’s coverage for Washington, D.C. She has also served as a senior producer for Meet the Press, the longest-running show in television history, after stints at PBS and CNN. Born and raised in the capital city, Sandza is committed to reaching an audience that increasingly turns to digital devices for their news.
What led you to journalism?
I grew up in a news household: My parents met in a newsroom before my mom became a lawyer. I grew up with framed newspapers on the walls. So, to say politics and news is in my blood is probably an understatement. It is what I was meant to do.
How do you see streaming platforms evolving for political news coverage, especially in this election cycle?
We are the live and breaking news arm of CBS News. We rush toward the stories, and in this news cycle — especially this political news cycle — it’s just faster than ever.
How did your time at Ƶ and in Boulder affect what you’re doing now and what’s happened in your career?
In my last semester at Ƶ, I took what ended up being my all-time favorite class: . I still think about that class. Every day, every single day, I think, “Is this fair? Is this sourced enough?”
We try to make sure that we are explaining the context and analysis of the whole picture, all while it’s happening in real time. I learned those nuts and bolts in journalism school at Ƶ.
How do you balance breaking timely political coverage with the desire for, as you said, more nuanced, in-depth reporting on complex issues?
Every day, it’s a conversation and an internal struggle. I do think CBS News is unique in that it’s a place that’s known for taking a beat, for taking context into account with every story. It’s the home of 60 Minutes. It’s the home of in-depth reporting and analysis. So I think we’re very careful — we admit in real time when we still don’t know something. That is really the only way to operate. And I think it’s authentic, which audiences now crave.
Any final thoughts?
It’s a privilege to be able to cover this election, to be able to really write this first draft of history. That’s such a journalism cliché, but I think it’s a cliché for a reason.
Editor’s note: This interview was conducted prior to the November 5 election.
Photo by Hugo Ross/ CBS