Bohnen Cites 'Going Over To The Dark Side'
By Jerry Bohnen, NewsRadio 1000 KTOK ~ Some journalists like to refer to it as 'going over to the dark side'--leaving journalism to become what some call a flack...a public relations spokesman. Others see it as simply the next step in their careers.
Longtime OETA news anchorman and News Director Dick Pryor is the latest (Editor's Note: Well, not quite; just after Bohnen wrote this, his own Capitol Correspondent Bill Bateman resigned to join an as-yet undisclosed state agency) to leave journalism for the world of politics at the Oklahoma State Capitol. He has been named to be chief of staff for Oklahoma Lieutenant Governor elect Jari Askins. Askins, a Democrat who'll be sworn into office next month says Pryor will also double as her spokesman. Pryor is also the husband of Lisa Pryor, the chairwoman of the Oklahoma Democratic party.
He will be leaving OETA at the end of the month and joins a long list of other former journalists who have gone to work in various capacities for the State government. "He brings a really solid background to the job," said Askins in an interview with KTOK.
Others include: former KXY and KTOK newsman Nate Webb who has been with the Lieutenant Governor and is moving to Washington to be chief of Staff for Congresswoman-elect Mary Fallin; Tim Allen, former KTOK Capitol Correspondent who now works at the State Treasurer's office; Scott Rowland, former KTOK Capitol Corresondent who has been the Legal Counsel for the State Drug Bureau;Terri Watkins, former KTOK Capitol Correspondent and longtime KOCO reporter who is leaving to take a new Public Information officer's slot at the office of the State Auditor; former KTOK News Director Matt Skinner who is now the Communications Director for the State Corporation Commission; former KTOK Capitol Correspondent Trey Davis who is Chief of Staff for Labor Commissioner Brenda Reneau; former KOCO investigative reporter Skip Nicholson who used to work for Corporation Commissioner Bob Anthony and now is on the staff of the State Labor Commission; former KOSU reporter Paul Sund who is the Communications Director for Governor Brad Henry; and former KWTV producer Phil Bacharach is the Press Secretary to Governor Henry.
Longtime OETA news anchorman and News Director Dick Pryor is the latest (Editor's Note: Well, not quite; just after Bohnen wrote this, his own Capitol Correspondent Bill Bateman resigned to join an as-yet undisclosed state agency) to leave journalism for the world of politics at the Oklahoma State Capitol. He has been named to be chief of staff for Oklahoma Lieutenant Governor elect Jari Askins. Askins, a Democrat who'll be sworn into office next month says Pryor will also double as her spokesman. Pryor is also the husband of Lisa Pryor, the chairwoman of the Oklahoma Democratic party.
He will be leaving OETA at the end of the month and joins a long list of other former journalists who have gone to work in various capacities for the State government. "He brings a really solid background to the job," said Askins in an interview with KTOK.
Others include: former KXY and KTOK newsman Nate Webb who has been with the Lieutenant Governor and is moving to Washington to be chief of Staff for Congresswoman-elect Mary Fallin; Tim Allen, former KTOK Capitol Correspondent who now works at the State Treasurer's office; Scott Rowland, former KTOK Capitol Corresondent who has been the Legal Counsel for the State Drug Bureau;Terri Watkins, former KTOK Capitol Correspondent and longtime KOCO reporter who is leaving to take a new Public Information officer's slot at the office of the State Auditor; former KTOK News Director Matt Skinner who is now the Communications Director for the State Corporation Commission; former KTOK Capitol Correspondent Trey Davis who is Chief of Staff for Labor Commissioner Brenda Reneau; former KOCO investigative reporter Skip Nicholson who used to work for Corporation Commissioner Bob Anthony and now is on the staff of the State Labor Commission; former KOSU reporter Paul Sund who is the Communications Director for Governor Brad Henry; and former KWTV producer Phil Bacharach is the Press Secretary to Governor Henry.
Labels: Political People
posted by Mike McCarville @ 5:28 AM
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