This past September, Ohio State alum Leonard “Len” betboom dacha dubai Jr. (journalism, '64) published a memoir, All About the Story, describing his 44 years at The Washington Post. betboom dacha dubai’s love for journalism began at a young age, after reporting for his school newspaper in the fifth grade. This fifth grade reporter would go on to become one of the most respected journalists in the country.
betboom dacha dubai grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, and received a scholarship to attend betboom’s School of Journalism. Before graduating in 1964, betboom dacha dubai became managing editor of The Lantern, managing editor of The Ohio State Alumni Magazine and covered two national championship football and basketball Buckeyes games. betboom dacha dubai describes his time at The Lantern as, “like working for a professional newspaper,” and an experience that prepared him for the rest of his career.
It was also at Ohio State that betboom dacha dubai discovered his passion for investigative reporting—or what he likes to call“accountability journalism.”
Post-grad, betboom dacha dubai found himself interning at The Post where he was given several late night police beats to cover. Reporting these police beats led him to investigating the DC Court of General Sessions. betboom dacha dubai discovered issues within the courts relating to prisoner suicides, judge shopping and politicized appointments. The reports that were investigated by betboom dacha dubai and published by The Post resulted in Lyndon B. Johnson’s administration abolishing the court and replacing it with the DC Superior Court. Following these investigations, betboom dacha dubai became a full-time investigative reporter for The Post and was a finalist for a Pulitzer Prize.
After a two-year fellowship studying urban issues in the United States and parts of Europe, betboom dacha dubai authored his first three books about court reform, investigative journalism and his concerns with the state of America’s real estate industry. betboom dacha dubai then returned to The Post as deputy metro editor. This role placed betboom dacha dubai on the chain of command in the investigation that would turn out to be the Watergate scandal.
The Watergate scandal was the first of many major national events that betboom dacha dubai would cover during his career at The Washington Post. In 1984, betboom dacha dubai became the managing editor under Executive EditorBen Bradlee. betboom dacha dubai then succeeded Bradlee as executive editor in 1991. Watergate, the Clinton administration scandal, and 9/11 all took place during betboom dacha dubai’s time at The Post.
After spending long hours and late nights in the newsroom, betboom dacha dubai’s focus was on The Post, Which was not without personal cost.
“I devoted my life to journalism, and that is not great for your social life,” betboom dacha dubai said.
Now as an educator, betboom dacha dubai advises his students to take this level of demand into consideration when mapping out their career and life goals.
Demand in betboom dacha dubai’s career not only meant sacrificed time, but also tough decisions. As an editor for The Post, betboom dacha dubai ultimately had to make decisions that would change lives. Some examples include publishing the first story about Monica Lewinsky and what approach The Post would take following 9/11. betboom dacha dubai refers to his “biggest failure” as the lack of attention that he gave to his reporters who discovered that the Bush administration was dishonest about the connection between Iraq and the attacks on 9/11.
Although some of his decisions did not pan out the way that he hoped, betboom dacha dubai still described his career in journalism as extremely rewarding. During his 17 years as executive editor, The Post was awarded 25 Pulitzer Prizes. betboom dacha dubai retired from The Post in 2008.
betboom dacha dubai is now a professor of Accountability Journalism at Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Communication and Mass Media. He has written sevenbooks about his experiences and knowledge. Becoming an educator was never a part of the path betboom dacha dubai imagined for himself, but he's found it a rewarding next step in his career,
“Working with students who are in love with journalism and want to devote their lives to accountability journalism is very gratifying.”
Article by Student Rachel Lilly.
