Re: Lewis Lazare interviews Anna Davlantes

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: Check this out, my Greek media friends: : http://www.greekmediaclub.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=13&Itemid=28 : : Davlantes opens up, as much as she can : : August 6, 2009 : : LEWIS LAZARE | Chicago Sun-Times Media & Marketing columnist : : Perhaps more than any other Chicago television news journalist, former NBC-owned WMAQ-Channel 5 weekend news anchor and general assignment reporter Anna Davlantes has gotten gossipy tongues wagging about what might be next for her. : : In recent days, she has worked hard to dispel the notion she's a diva who only covets a starring anchor role on the 10 p.m. local news or something even bigger at the network level. Soon enough, all will be revealed, but in the meantime, Davlantes has answered for us five questions about her life, her career and the TV news business. : : : : 1. Many of your fans remain confused about the exact circumstances of your departure last week from WMAQ. What were they, and what is your situation right now? : : It's tough because I'm a journalist and want to tell everything I know. It's been overwhelming. Some 7,000 people reached out on Facebook the day my departure from WMAQ was announced. Many wanted to know why I'm leaving. I wish I could say more. I can share that I didn't accept an offer from NBC, and believe I'll have an announcement soon. WMAQ General Manager Larry Wert and Vice President of News Frank Whittaker brought me home to Chicago. I'll always be grateful to them for that and for the chance to be part of an incredible WMAQ team for nine great years. What's been written about my situation in regard to salaries, money or position is simply not true. Anyone close to this deal will tell you that. : : : : 2. What were the high and low moments in your tenure at WMAQ? : : The low was definitely losing a colleague. When Darrian Chapman died suddenly in 2002, he was a bright light in that newsroom, and it was a painful time for everyone. The high may have been the Ethics Award in Journalism, after exposing alleged corruption in a suburban government. Our series at WMAQ helped prompt a federal investigation, and I'm proud of that. On a lighter note, it was pretty cool to attend every Chicago Bears home game for three seasons, interviewing the "Tailgators of The Game" on the JumboTron. I got to sample a lot of wild recipes. : : : : 3. What would be your dream job in television news and why? : : I'm lucky to get to do what I love. Right now, most people would say they are fortunate to have a job anywhere. As I said, I believe I'll have an announcement soon. There's this interim period, during which I'm restricted in what I can discuss. But at times like this, I think back to my dad. He worked for a division of the Department of Streets and Sanitation for years and also ran a Chicago tavern on the North Side to put us through college. That's hard work. I get to do what I enjoy doing. I'm beyond blessed. : : : : 4. From your vantage point, what are the best and worst aspects of the television news business in Chicago? : : I believe the mainstream Chicago media is tops right now, when it comes to telling compelling stories objectively. It sure beats most of the blogs out there, where one person can post anything and call it fact. Newsrooms are consolidating and being held to stricter budgets. I fear stories that take time and resources will have less chance. Journalism done right is an important public service. : : : : 5. Why have you decided to launch a Web-based charity project, and what do you hope to accomplish? : : It's an exciting new venture. I've partnered with some people in the business and tech communities. We believe we're building an amazing place for people to give directly to those in need. If you're reading this, we hope you'll consider being part of it when it launches.

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