Over the past week or so, I’ve spoken with quite a number of people who, like me, have had the good fortune to have worked under the newsroom leadership of former WBIR News Director, Bill Shory. We felt like now was the right time to publicly express our appreciation both for WBIR-TV - which has been one of America’s most iconic local news operations for more than five decades, and which remains a great place to work, as well as a truly wonderful part of this community – and also for Bill himself, the guy who led WBIR to some of its greatest successes during his eight year run as News Director there.
Bill helps other WBIR volunteers distribute food and toys in Mississippi following Hurricane Katrina
WBIR’s storied reputation is well-deserved. From the people who work there and have worked there, to the “Straight From the Heart” newsroom culture that each employee truly strives to embody in his or her work, to the station’s high level of community involvement, WBIR is a resource that we who live and raise our families in East Tennessee are very lucky to have.
In his eight years as News Director, Bill led the newsroom through great ratings successes, sweeping industry changes, heartfelt community tributes and tough investigative projects. Through it all, he was a wonderful boss, always advocating for journalistic ethics, accuracy, fairness and compassion. He was an invaluable mentor and guide from whom many journalists learned a great deal, even as he was always willing to learn from others to become better at his own job.
Bill with his wife Michelle, daughter Isabella and their two dogs, Angel and Daisy
No one doubts that WBIR will continue to shine as a beacon of excellence, both in the news industry and in this community, and anyone who has ever had the chance to be part of the WBIR family in any way treasures that relationship. And for those of us whose time at WBIR came during Bill Shory’s newsroom leadership, we also feel extremely lucky to have had the chance to work for and learn from a guy who made coming to work each day something energizing and challenging for his team, and who made us proud to be part of something great.
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UPDATE: Since publishing this blog post, I’ve had multiple folks who have also worked with Bill Shory during their time at WBIR ask me to add something from them to what I’ve written. I am adding these quotes as I receive them. – Katie
“Bill is hard charger and a hell of a newsman.” - John Becker, WBIR TV
I’ve never had a conversation with Bill Shory that didn’t evolve into his pride in his newsroom and his dedication to his staff. Bill has served as both boss and mentor to scores of young journalists. I’ve spoken to many of them and have yet to encounter one who wasn’t left a better person and journalist because of his influence. - Boyd Huppert, 7-time National Murrow Award-Winning Reporter, KARE-TV, Minneapolis
“In every journalist’s life, there are a select few people who shape the course of that journalist’s career. In my life, one of those people has been Bill Shory. More than five years ago, he gave me the best job I’ve ever had – working in the newsroom at WBIR, and I will forever be grateful for that opportunity. Under his leadership, I was challenged, encouraged, educated and trained. Bill showed me what it meant to stay true to our industry’s ethical standards, even in the face of adversity. He pushed me to always dig deeper, work harder, and get better, all while guiding me as a mentor and a friend. He taught all of us in the newsroom how to be the best we can be at our craft, and those lessons will live on in his absence and in his honor.” - Brittany Bailey, weekend morning anchor, WBIR
“So many people have made — and continue to make — WBIR-TV special: talented individuals behind the cameras and in front of them as well as loyal viewers who continue to demand accuracy, the truth, and straight-forward yet compassionate stories about their community. Bill Shory valued that legacy — and added to it in significant ways — as News Director. He pushed for what was right, asked tough questions when nobody wanted to face them, and challenged the status quo without fear. Bill encouraged reporters to dig for the real story but let the public judge the facts. And thankfully, Bill and WBIR’s support remained steadfast as the stories and responses developed. It was an honor to be a part of the team, and I am thankful for the incredible friendships that began at WBIR. I consider Bill one of those friends who I treasure even more-so today.” – Kay Watson, former WBIR Reporter/Anchor
“Summing up Bill Shory’s impact on the news business and on me personally is hard to put into one paragraph. He is a man who mentors young talent, who nurtures seasoned talent, who fights for ethics in journalism even if it goes against the mainstream opinion. He is a man who is smart, strong, passionate and kind. He truly cared about his employees in a way that went beyond news headlines. I have him to thank for my job, yes, but even more I have him to thank for laughing with us, crying with us and fighting for us. WBIR is the best place I’ve ever worked and I am proud to have learned what ‘straight from the heart’ means from one of the best in the business.” – Abby Ham, morning anchor, WBIR
“Having worked with Bill for several years, I have a great deal of respect for him. He had a true feel for what was important news to East Tennessee and WBIR. The community and station hold a very special place in my heart.” – Former WBIR anchor Ted Hall
“I had the pleasure of working for Bill Shory at WBIR for six years…I love that Bill has such a zeal for local TV news; he’s truly passionate about putting the best product on the air. However he isn’t willing to compromise when it comes to ethics and journalism. He stands for what’s right, and will fight for it, even if it means standing alone. I respect his ability to stand up for pure journalism, and I believe he was a great newsroom leader.” – LaSaundra Brown Gibson, former WBIR Anchor/Reporter
“Bill Shory is one of the most ethical people I know, always standing up for the rights of the public and the media, no matter the venue. He is what every journalist should strive to be. I trusted his judgment both in and out of the newsroom, and I still go to him for advice three years after leaving WBIR. Bill Shory was more than a boss; he’s a friend.” – Robin Murdoch, former WBIR Reporter
“In a world where TV news does a lot wrong, Bill Shory did a lot right.” – Jacob Nagel, former WBIR photojournalist, and national Edward R. Murrow award winner
“I had the chance to work with Bill for three years. As a journalist, he was passionate, responsible, and committed to quality. He was open to questions and comments, living the brand that makes WBIR so special. As a person, he truly cared about the happenings in my life, and offered great perspective during challenging times.” – Dan Farkas, former WBIR Reporter and 10Sports Anchor
“Bill Shory was one of the most amazing news directors I have ever had the pleasure of working with. His passion and intensity for thejob were unsurpassed, and he was always willing to help me out when I needed it. Most importantly, he understood the value of team work; a true credential for any newsroom. I wish him nothing but happiness & success … “Straight from MY Heart!” – Cheryl Scott, former WBIR meteorologist
“If I’d been working for any other news director—any—I think I’d have gotten out of the news business after two years. I’ve not met or worked with any manager who ‘gets’ investigative work like Bill does, and why it’s one of the most important functions a news organization can possibly fulfill in the community. I couldn’t count on all my digits the number of employees I saw working harder and going that extra mile because Bill was their boss—because they knew how hard he was working at it, and saw that it must be pretty damned important. Knoxville news took a big hit with his departure. ” - Jacob Jost, former WBIR Executive Producer for Online Media, and current Editor in Chief (elect) of University of Illinois College of Law Review
I've worked with Bill on several events and found him to be gracious and helpful. I'm so glad someone is sticking up for him.
He is a fine person and a great journalist.
Aww! Thanks, Katie. He's the best!!
Please tell Bill I am thinking of him and cheering him on. Certainly enjoyed working with him on TennCOG — are super advocate and committed person.
Proud to call him a friend. Great guy…always ran a good shop.
I'm very lucky to have worked under Bill Shory. Not only is he an extremely talented journalist but he's someone I consider a close friend. Both he & his family have helped me through some major struggles including my own battle with cancer & I'm honored to call him my friend.
Bill is what we all aspire to be. First and foremost, he is a loving and devoted husband and father. He radiates the love he has for his family. As a journalist, Bill is the perfect mix. He is smart, tough, dedicated, compassionate and never afraid to stand up for what he feels is right. WBIR was so lucky to have him. He changed the way I and so many others viewed the station. Under his direction it has displayed journalistic excellence. Wherever Bill decides to go next, they will be damn lucky to have him.
What happened to him? Is the guy dead?
Ah, not dead … just gone:
http://www.knoxviews.com/node/18087
Here is hoping his family is ok
You didn't have to work for Bill to recognize his passion for journalism and outstanding leadership in the newsroom. The timing never worked out for me to join Bill's team at WBIR, but that didn't lessen Bill's willingness to teach me. My reporting career has since ended– for a number of personal and professional reasons– but I'm certain one of those reasons is that I never had the privilege of working for a news director who cared as much about responsible storytelling and the good of his team as Bill.
I feel like there is a vital piece of information missing from this story: like, why you wrote it, now. Did he get fired? Abducted? What?
Bill and the station recently parted ways, and since then, there has been some exceptionally nasty and false gossip posted about it one or two places online. Those of us who know and have worked with him want to set the record straight -Katie
When my husband moved to Knoxville from Atlanta, I followed. When Bill hired me, I had almost two decades of experience. And guess what? He taught me to be a better writer, a better journalist, and a better person. Bill Shory is a man of integrity and a great journalist. He will overcome this temporary set back. I can't wait to see what wonderful things await him as he continues on his journey.
Bill is a professional with a great ethical compass. His commitment and passion to get it right will serve his next employer well.
I'm grateful that Bill asked me to come out of retirement and return to news in 2011. This past year has been one of the most rewarding and enjoyable of my almost 30 year career. Bill's high standards challenged me to strive for excellence.
Bill Shory is the epitome of a tough journalist. He's been standing up for what local news should be, relevant and accurate throughout his career. I worked with Bill for several years in Huntsville when I was the anchor and he was my 10pm producer. I like to think I can speak for everyone in that shop when I say we trusted Bill's judgement and decisions. Bill makes every news team better and I wish him all the luck and opportunities he has earned.
I have never worked FOR Bill but in Huntsville I competed against his reporters on a daily basis. They ALL sang his praises. My next job was in at a station where Bill had previously been the Assistant News Director. Again, everyone who had worked for him sang his praises.
I remember the hoopla a couple of years ago when Bill – the WBIR News Director, himself, attended a news conference. He embarrassed every reporter and photojournalist there by demanding the speaker at the news conference speak ON THE RECORD. He did everyone else's job for them and if he chooses to continue to work in news management, I would encourage any young reporter to learn from the best.
Go get 'em, Bill.
It's very admirable that everybody is coming to Shory's defense, but at the end of the day, he abruptly left WBIR for a reason. There is a reason why he did not get a going-away party when he left. There is a reason why he did not leave to take a much more prestigious position in another market. There is a reason why the comments when he left, were rather terse and full of TV-speak.
The bottom line is, a "talented, hard-working, dedicated, professional" is sitting at home right now, NOT doing what he is talented, hard-working and professional at.
What's happening to Knoxville TV?
I grew to admire Bill Shory as a person and a professional in Huntsville, Alabama. Bill produced the 10 pm newscast that I co-anchored. Bill was spot-on as a leader in our newsroom: respected, talented, always professional, and the kind of loyal friend anyone could hope to have. Bill deserves to rise above this, and I'm certain he will !
Anyone who has worked for Bill Shory knows that he is a journalist’s journalist. He is the reason I fell in love with the craft. I was his first hire ever when he became a News Director in Huntsville, Alabama. It was my first reporter job. And, boy, was I green! When others would’ve given up on me, he didn’t. I’ll never forget that. He saw something in me and encouraged me. Bill went out of his way to mentor and guide me. He instilled in me the philosophy that every story is so much more than just a story. It’s a responsibility to seek out and do justice to those untold stories. Less than 6 years after he took me on as his “project”, his patience and work paid off. I had 2 local stations in NYC offer me jobs. Besides my family, it’s thanks to Bill. I will forever be grateful and hope others get that chance to learn, grow and thrive under his leadership.
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