Helen Thomas will be remembered as the epitome of a great journalist. For almost six decades, the always irrepressible and often opinionated Thomas challenged US presidents on everything from domestic policy to US military involvement overseas. Her work ethic and tenaciousness were legendary.
It would normally be cliche after the death of someone famous to say there will never be another like her, but Thomas’ retirement two years ago at the age of 90 also came at a time when there was a noticeable shift in journalistic standards. There hasn’t been anyone like her since, and no one has come close to filling her shoes. US presidents are no longer challenged by hardline reporters. Instead, it is a world dominated by public relations-spun news stories and celebrity journalism.
The world, at least as far as news is concerned, was a better place when she was in it. Maybe her death will cause journalists — both current and future — to rethink their approach of how to handle the news of the day. The profession of journalism may never return to the ideals exemplified by Thomas, but at least journalists now have a standard to measure themselves by.
