How long have you been working within your current profession? Have you switched careers? Once? Twice? Never? Former Wichita Eagle President and Publisher Lou Heldman reflects on his journey from high school newspaper editor to communications instructor. He’s changed jobs, but at the core of his passion, it’s been about journalism.

During your career, what is one memorable news story that in some way challenged you the most?

I am tremendously proud of the way Wichita Eagle journalists handled the BTK serial killer story, from his reemergence in 2004, in response to an Eagle article, to his capture in 2005. Our news staff, led by editor Sherry Chisenhall, produced detailed and credible reporting throughout the process, and then a riveting book, produced with the full cooperation of the homicide detectives who brought the killer to justice. That coverage required resources that local newspapers no longer have.

As you consider the integrity of news reporting over the years, and the serious challenges to that integrity many in the public display today, what do you believe can be done to improve trust in traditional print or digital media?

Sadly, in today’s us-against-them environment, I don’t see even the best-intentioned news outlets gaining trust from those whose beliefs are challenged by honest reporting. I no longer differentiate between print and digital media since virtually everything appearing in print is also in digital.

Describe a story, or series of articles, that provided the most satisfaction in your craft.

Early in my career, I was managing editor of a newspaper in Fort Wayne, IN, that was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for our coverage of a devastating flood. We had a small staff, so we all had to work to the limits of our talent and energy to produce the journalism that led to the award.

Which newspapers do you scour on a regular basis to satiate your craving for information and opinions?

In order of time spent weekly: Wall Street Journal, NY Times, Washington Post, Wichita Eagle and Wichita Business Journal. I also get news from Axios, Politico and helpful links from Facebook and Twitter. 

When you were still educating students at Wichita State University's Elliott School for Communication, which elements of the communication process did you emphasize as most fragile, or most difficult to achieve?

My courses in the Elliott School and Cohen Honors College focused on innovation and the business of media, to help students develop knowledge and critical thinking skills about the future of communications. I wanted them to be educated consumers of media and be employable.

What do you say to prospective reporters to persuade them that journalism is an important profession? 

In my experience, most of those who seriously pursue journalism have a hard time picturing themselves doing anything else. They don’t need to be persuaded. Journalism clicks with their sense of self, which often includes deep curiosity and the desire to make the world a better place.