Todd Gillman spoke on the issues facing journalism in the Mass Media and Technology Hall Auditorium as part of the John B. Gaines Family Lecture Series. 

“Tonight, I want to talk about why I love journalism, why I hate journalism, why I love Washington and why I hate Washington,”  Gillman said. 

Gillman is chief of the Washington Bureau of the Dallas Morning News.

He discussed the privileges of being a Washington reporter during his lecture, such as riding on Air Force One with President Barack Obama.

However, not everything Gillman had to say about his own profession was positive.

“There are too many journalists, “he said. “Just like there are too many lawyers.”

Gilman also said the pressures and difficulties of being a journalist are not for everyone.

Gillman addressed the shrinking of regional media in Washington.

“Journalism is a complaint driven occupation,” he said. “If there are less of us in Washington, that means less people are requiring our services.”

Gillman also went into the dynamics of Washington.

“Washington is dysfunctional,” he said. “It is the worst I have ever seen it.”

Some students in attendance came to the lecture in hopes of gleaning some professional wisdom. One of those students was Lexington freshman Karri Blanton. 

“Because my major is broadcasting, I find the subject matter very interesting,” Blanton said.  

Gillman closed his lecture by answering questions about professional ethics, and talked about being unbiased in the media. 

“Being unbiased is critical — vitally important,” he said.