By Alex Burke

The University of Maryland’s Philip Merrill College of Journalism assembled three of the nation’s top Sunday morning news moderators on Wednesday for a discussion on the state of broadcast journalism and the role of the press at the dawn of the Trump administration. 

CNN’s Dana Bash, FOX News’ Shannon Bream and NBC’s Kristen Welker explored the challenges of covering politics, the relevance of Sunday shows and the evolving media landscape. Christi Parsons, director of Merrill College’s Capital News Service Annapolis Bureau, moderated the discussion in the Jones-Hill House.

“I love Sunday morning talk shows,” Parsons said. “We get together and we process what’s just happened in the week that’s passed. We educate ourselves a bit more and try to understand it better, and then we kind of look around the corner and try to figure out what’s coming up and how we might plan for it.”

Bash, CNN’s chief political correspondent and anchor of “Inside Politics with Dana Bash,” tackled the topic of whether political journalists prefer extreme guests over moderates. She emphasized that while controversy often drives viewership, it is crucial for Sunday shows to feature high-ranked political figures who can discuss a broad range of issues. 

Bash also co-anchors “State of the Union with Jake Tapper and Dana Bash,” where she frequently interviews key political figures and reports on pressing global and domestic issues.

“There is a perception of cable news in particular… screaming from the right and the left and everybody yelling at each other,” Bash said. “Maybe that’s what makes the most noise, but it’s not what makes the most news, and that’s what we want to do on Sundays.”

The conversation also focused on the contentious relationship between the White House and the press, and the importance of upholding journalistic principles despite political pressure. Parsons asked the panelists how they felt their journalistic roles have been affected by the current news environment.

“I think sometimes people will think, ‘Oh, you work at Fox. President Trump doesn’t ever come after you.’ Not True,” Bream said. “He will go after anyone that he feels is slighting him… he will unleash on anyone at any network at any time.”

Bream, FOX’s Chief Legal Correspondent and anchor of “FOX News Sunday,” noted the importance of maintaining professionalism despite political attacks.

“You have to realize as journalists…that’s part of his MO,” Bream said. “Anybody could be a target… you take it in stride.”

Welker, moderator of NBC’s “Meet the Press,” agreed with Bream, saying that political scrutiny is an inevitable part of being a political journalist. She emphasized that journalists must remain steadfast in their duty to report the truth, regardless of political pressure or public criticism.

“It’s so important that our job and our principles do not change for whoever’s in the Oval Office,” Welker said. “We have the same role, which is to get answers on behalf of the American public and to hold elected officials accountable.”

The panelists also examined the White House’s recent decision to bar the Associated Press from several high-profile spaces, including Air Force One and the Oval Office. The move was linked to a dispute over the AP’s refusal to comply with an executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, according to the AP.

The panelists emphasized how such exclusions raise serious ethical questions about transparency and the role of the press in holding government officials accountable.

“That’s what the president wants,” Bash said. “On the one hand, you have to stand up for what’s right and the basics of the First Amendment, and the other hand, you also know that the person and the administration that has made this decision to shut you out wants the fight … it’s a balance.”

The sold-out event was a part of Merrill College’s ongoing efforts to connect students with industry leaders.

In a statement, Merrill College Dean Rafael Lorente emphasized the value of these opportunities for students.

“We believe it’s important to provide our students with opportunities they can’t get anywhere else,” Lorente said. “Wednesday’s panel was a perfect example of that. We were proud we could put together an intimate forum to learn from three of the highest-profile journalists in the industry.”

Students had the opportunity to ask questions and gain insight from the panelists, engaging directly with some influential voices in journalism.

Featured Image: Christi Parsons (pictured far left), director of the University of Maryland’s Philip Merrill College of Journalism’s Capital News Service Annapolis Bureau, moderates a discussion panel on Wednesday with FOX News’ Shannon Bream (pictured left), NBC’s Kristen Welker (pictured center) and CNN’s Dana Bash (pictured right). Photo by Anika Stikeleather.