Fake news has taken the world by storm. Specifically, in the U.S., the 2016 election established the term. However, over the past two years, the issue has spanned heavily across the globe. People have difficulty trusting what they read or hear; every point has a different fact or allegation. Statista conducted a survey asking participants about phony information from media outlets: Approximately 15 percent said fake news had led to them reducing the amount of news they consume overall.
As media companies become proactive and mitigate the reporting of falsified data, veteran correspondents like CBS’ 60 Minutes Sharyn Alfonsi continue providing their viewers with truth and awareness.
This upcoming season marks its 50th consecutive season as America’s number-one news program. Alfonsi has been honored with numerous accolades over her career, including an Emmy for Outstanding Recorded News Program with 60 Minutes. Her award-winning reporting from the U.S.-Mexico border on the migrant crisis earned her the Alfred I. duPont-Columbia Silver Baton in 2020. Additionally, she’s been honored with a Society of Professional Journalists’ Sigma Delta Chi Award for Public Service in Television Journalism and a Gracie Award for National On-Air Talent in News or News Magazine.
“With local news, you are a little bit like a firefighter just thrown in and have to figure it out,” Alfonsi shares over a Zoom interview. “We know the shoe size of a person we’re about to interview before we interview them; we’re so prepared. And even so, there’s always surprises. The ability to pivot at that moment and go, ‘Ok, wait, I really listened to what you said. And that’s not everything that I’ve read. So, let’s figure that out. Let’s go there.’ And really being an active listener. Despite everything that you know or that you’ve read, to really hear what somebody is saying at the moment, you forget that the cameras are around or that you’re on television and really be in that moment with that person and actively listen.”
Alfonsi’s fascination for journalism developed as a child staying up to watch the Johnny Carson Show and the eleven o’clock news. She started working in local news as a news reporter, photographer and editor at Arkansas’ KHBS-KHOG-TV. Her first professional story highlighted interviews with veterans who were part of D-Day. The then aspiring correspondent worked her way to general assignment reporter for WVEC–TV in Virginia, where she traveled extensively with the military.
Eventually, she landed the reporter and anchor role for a CBS-owned station in Boston before moving to CBS News. During this time, she relied on her experience from working in local news to angle stories, camera shots and editing skills as she brought a new perspective to stories such as the school shootings at Virginia Tech, the Israel-Lebanon border on the war with Hezbollah, and later, the violence in Gaza and the war in Iraq.
While at CBS Evening News, Alfonsi met Bill Owens, now the executive producer of 60 Minutes, and Ashley Velie, now one of her producers at the show. Her attention to detail and style of reporting caught the attention of Owens.
“It was her work ethic,” Owens comments during a phone interview. “She was on the phone at the crack of dawn, talking about the things they could do for the broadcast that day. She would stay in touch and keep us up to date on the elements. At the end of the day, you have to turn in the script, which was always well written. Never overwritten but telling a story that is engaging and filled with facts; really first-class journalism.”
As Alfonsi navigated her career, she had an opportunity to join the ABC team under Good Morning America, World News Tonight and Nightline. After a short stint, she returned to CBS as a correspondent for 60 Minutes Sports before being offered a permanent role at 60 Minutes.
“She’s always been so kind to me,” shares Velie over a phone interview. “I know she’s such an advocate for women as well. And we’ve covered a lot of women-related stories for 60 together; that’s one of our focal points as a team that we’ve really been excited about.”
Eight years ago, Alfonsi accepted an opportunity that would forever shape her journalism career. She led the first and only television interview with a Mormon whistleblower; she reported on a continuing investigation of harassment and stalking by eBay employees and has conducted a range of profiles for 60 Minutes, including interviews with Sir Paul McCartney, Adam Sandler and Ina Garten. Her reporting on the students who survived the Parkland, Florida, school shooting won two Emmys.
As the show enters its 56th season this weekend, Alfonsi is excited for her upcoming pieces. “The thing I’ve been banging my head against the keyboard for is a story about a neurosurgeon who is using unusual methods to rewire the brain to treat Alzheimer’s and addictions,” she shares. “We’ve done a story shot that’s an investigation into immigration, and we’ve interviewed the president of Georgia. We’ve also interviewed Monks that make wine.”
As Alfonsi continues to evolve in her career, she focuses on the following essential steps:
- Remember, pivoting can be challenging at times. Sometimes, you have to step away and then make the next decision.
- Trust your gut. Life changes moment by moment, and the things you count on to help with pivoting might alter; that’s why you have to make a decision and go for it.
- Let go of the idea that everything has to be an upgrade. The opportunity might just be different; not be better, not be worse—just different.
“When you’re going to make one of those big changes,” Alfonsi concludes. “talk to the right person, not every person but the right person. Sometimes you get advice from people completely well-meaning who have no idea about this one thing that you’re talking about.”
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