Media Makers - Show #3, Lillian Donahue

Ladue alumni Lillian Donahue discusses her current position as a reporter for Live 5 in Charleston, SC. Lillian also discusses how her local stories have been picked up by national news, her national spots on Full Court Press with Greta Van Susteran, her time at Arizona State University and of course, her lessons and memories from Ladue's Broadcast Technology program. 
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Show notes (quotes from Lillian)
CORONAVIRUS Drive through collection site 
*This breaking story led me to doing 13 live shots on air between 4 pm to 7 pm across Charleston, Myrtle Beach, Columbia and Savannah. With this, we can talk about how it works to broadcast across different station's airwaves in cases of breaking news. I have been doing coronavirus stories for a month now and I have been able to look into virtually every way it has impacted our daily life: Homeless shelters, meal deliveries, air travel, beaches, parks and schools closing, homemade masks, even churches reactions."

National political correspondent, localizing the news
*This is the second national spot I have with Greta Van Susteren. RESEARCH IS KEY. I was broadcasted across the country in more than 100 TV markets. I had to know the latest polling trends, plus, I had to provide local insight the national news didn't know. How does a national story impact local issues and vice versa. Plus, I can touch on the importance of networking."

Want a guaranteed seat at the Democratic debate? It'll cost a lot of cash
"Nationally picked up story about debate ticket pricing, hold politicians, and political parties accountable. An example of investigative political reporting."

"I have interviewed the former president of Mexico, many US cabinet members, senators when I worked in D.C., EVERY 2020 democratic presidential candidate, they can ask about how to be prepared for high-stakes conversations. "

Hurricane coverage, 24/7 breaking news
*When a hurricane hits, it's live hits every 10  minutes for 12 hours straight in the middle of the storm. Keeping composure and allowing the story to lead your reporting."

Teaching examples

• Lillian Donahue Full Circle
• Example of using NAT sound, Drive in Church during the Coronavirus
• How to report BEYOND the breaking disaster, Coast Guard follow up
• Reporting from the bottom of the Grand Canyon, example of investigative reporting that led to national legislation being introduced to stop uranium mining
• Reporting from the US / Mexico border

*Exposing humanitarian aid and border patrol practices along the border is not easy...but finding a central character will help connect large and complex issues with people at home. National Hearst Award first place and Southwest Emmy award winner."

High School stories

• ​The Flying Dentist
• Ferguson, MO investigative report
• iPads for All - NSPA Broadcast Story of the Year winner 2014