|
In October of 2006, Dr. Wigand was able to turn the tables on Mike Wallace as the interviewee became the interviewer
for "50 Years of Ethics at CBS" - part of the Dr. Jeffrey Wigand Ethics Lecture Series
at Central Michigan University.
This content requires the Macromedia Flash Player. Get Flash
|
Award-winning journalist Mike Wallace appeared in a relaxed interview at the
Plachta Auditorium of CMU during this special event where Dr. Wigand
interviewed Wallace about 50 years of ethics at CBS, and about Mr. Wallace's
book,"Between You and Me" (Hyperion, 2005).
During the conversation, Wallace discussed some of his more memorable interviews
such as the one with Margaret Sanger, who is credited with coining the term
"birth control." Said Wallace, "that is the kind of interview that you just do not
get anymore." Wallace also discussed the legacy of Edward R. Morrow and bemoaned
the current culture of journalism as one of "infotainment." "It's the suits," he said.
"They are more interested in money. They want more infotainment in the news than there
used to be."
The discussion also turned to an interview Wallace was still hoping to arrange: that of a follow-up
with Dr. Jack Kevorkian on the date he is to be released from a Michigan prison.
Previously Wallace had interviewed Kevorkian about a videotape aired on 60 Minutes that
showed Kevorkian assisting in the death of a man with Lou Gherig's disease (ALS). "What I want
is the opportunity to talk to Jack Kevorkian -- who is in shackles today -- about assisted suicide,"
he said, adding that he has received no responses to his requests from Gov. Jennifer
Granholm's office. "Let him tell his story to the American people." [Update: Kevorkian
was released on June 1st, 2007, and Wallace was the first to interview him. That
interview aired on 60 Minutes on Sunday June 3rd, 2007].
Mike Wallace shows off his great-grandson. (Photo credit: Ryan Evon)
|
On a more positive note, a particularly poignant part of the interview was when Dr. Wigand presented Mr. Wallace with
a photo of his just-born great-grandson William, whom Wallace had not yet seen. Mr. Wallace's secretary had sent the photo to Dr. Wigand
as a surprise for Mr. Wallace, and he was delighted to receive the news.
|
|
