Newscaster to speak on 9-11 memorials
by by Brian Shults, se news editor

    September 11 and the Media is the focus of a presentation by Gloria Campos, local newscaster, next week on SE Campus.

   “Presently, I’m terribly concerned how the national media plans to memorialize 9/11. We will never forget and we should not, but we all need to go on with our lives. I question how useful it is to constantly remind Americans of the tragedy,” she said.

   Campos will speak Tuesday, Sept. 17, at 1 p.m. in the North Ballroom.

   Her perspective on the media and 9/11 includes her observations of journalists as a whole, who Campos believes are more sensitive and more aware of their audience and the international world.

   “As a reporter, the event is always in the back of my mind, doing any story. Because of the terrorist attacks, I am reminded of how happy I am to be alive,” she said.

   Campos has worked for WFAA-TV/Channel 8 in Dallas for over 15 years and is now a co-anchor there, producing such news items as Wednesday’s Child.

   Campos will also share her insight on the memorial from her conversations with New York business owners and employers.

   New York City itself appears split. Half the city conveys a desire to let life continue without large events or memorials, but the remainder wants an instituted solemn memorial, Campos said.

   In response, many of the business owners are allowing their employees to go to any memorial service they choose, provided they inform their supervisors ahead of time.

   Many businesses will also open their stores late that day in reverence, Campos said.

   While Campos will not be visiting the sight of the terrorist attacks, she will be reporting at her regular times in Dallas.

   “It’s another work day for me. I’ll say my prayers just like everyday when I get up and when I go to bed and pray it will be a good day,” she said.

   In addition to her anchor position at Channel 8, Campos has received such notable awards as the Texas Department of Human Services Award for media coverage in support of children’s’ protective issues and the Citizen’s Certificate of Merit awarded by the Dallas Sheriff’s office, regarding her work on the problem of hot checks in the Metroplex.

   Campos also is a member of community organizations, including the Advisory Board of the Department of Mass Communication at Southwest Texas State University and the DFW Network of Hispanic Communicators. In addition, she serves on the Board of Directors of the Family Place.