My Favorite Mistake — 232: Mistakes in TV Journalism and ‘The Medill F’: Annie Krall

Episode page with video, transcript, and more

My guest for Episode #232 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Annie Krall, an adjunct faculty member at Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications. She is also a radio news anchor for WLS-Radio (890AM) in Chicago and comes home to the Windy City after being an on-air TV reporter for ABC in Green Bay, WI (WBAY-TV). 

After earning her bachelor's and master’s degrees from Northwestern, Annie covered breaking news in Green Bay, the Ryder Cup international golf tournament, as well as the Green Bay Packers. Host of her own weekly medical investigative series “Your Health Matters” Annie was accepted to medical school before pursuing journalism. Prior to WBAY-TV, Annie wrote and produced for ABC NEWS in New York City on the medical and business units for shows like Good Morning America, World News Tonight with David Muir, and 20/20.

Sharpening her golf skills as a competitive golfer starting at the age of six, Annie is now the entertainment golf correspondent for the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA). She helps spotlight celebrity women who either play or have had their lives changed by the sport.

In today's episode, Annie shares her favorite mistake about a time when she didn't hit “send” when needing to send video back to the newsroom. What perspective did she gain from this mistake?

While unpacking her story, Annie shares her unique perspective on journalism education, especially regarding the famous ‘Medill F.' This single grading policy has sparked debates amongst students and educators alike, highlighting the ever-present tension between tradition and change in academia. Tune in to this fascinating episode for an in-depth look at one woman’s journey through the fast-paced world of journalism.

Questions and Topics:

  • Northwestern people don't want to admit mistakes?
  • Did it ever feel like a mistake not to pursue med school? Did you worry that it would be?
  • What are your thoughts about dealing with mistakes live on air? Or the risk of that?
  • Why do the Chicago traffic reports insist on using the names, not the freeway numbers?
  • The Medill F — the debate about whether that’s helpful or not??
  • So giving a Medill F *is* a choice not a requirement from the Dean
  • J.A. Adande – Episode 138
  • Does it really work?? Do Medill graduates make fewer mistakes than Mizzou and Syracuse grads?

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