Accidental journalism

Apr 24, 2007

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist David Halberstam died yesterday in a car accident, and when I read that the driver of the car in which Halberstam was a passenger was a grad student shuttling him away from a j-school speaking engagement, I recalled the brief wave of trepidation just before I drove a famous speaker to or from UNC’s campus, worried that an accident would mar the visit. I drove Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Mark Schoofs one time, Dan Gillmor another time. Both made it to campus safely and gave great talks.

I saw Halberstam speak at the 2003 Nieman Conference on Narrative Journalism. He was a giant of the profession, one of the best and the brightest (written as a compliment). We’ll miss you, David.

Anton Zuiker ☄