NBC News Producer and Trinity Alum Gives Keynote at Communication Day

John Bentley gives the keynote speech at the Communication Day
(Photo by Josie Liu)

By Lauren Bagg

John Bentley (‘95), NBC News producer and a Trinity graduate with a degree in communication, gave the keynote speech that kicked off the fifth annual Communication Day on Friday.

Bentley is an award-winning television journalist and has covered stories around the world, from the war in Afghanistan to the 2008 presidential election. He has worked at CBS, ABC and is currently a producer for NBC News.

In his talk, titled “Speaking Truth to Power: Covering Conflicts and Campaigns Around the World," Bentley said that the duty of a journalist “is to speak the truth for others, and to make the story not about the reporters but of the person that is being observed.”

He also said that “the truth is a bit more complicated.” Someone may experience an event completely different than someone else, and truth is relative. That is why in journalism it is important to include more than one side of the story.

Bentley said his years at Trinity made him "much more curious, much more interested in the world." He also attributed his interests in journalism to a first year seminar about "new journalism" he took at Trinity.

The Fiesta room was full of students, faculty, and trustees of the university, who attended the luncheon. During the Q&A, a student asked Bentley in the age of social media, how can one find out the truth. He said the news consumers need to improve their news literacy and be more critical, rather than believing whatever they saw on social media.

The Communication Day program on the luncheon table
(Photo by Lauren Bagg)

In offering career advice to the students in the audience, Bentley said, "Start with the worst job,"  referring to his own experience of starting his journalism career as an overnight tape editor at KSAT.

“What really stood out to me was how important it is to be willing to do the little things right. He started in a job that no one else wanted, but he was willing to do the things that other people wouldn't and it helped him to stand out,” said Chris Fanick, a junior double majoring in communication and political science, about Bentley’s story. “I think I can use that same mentality in my own career.” 

Grace Frye, a senior communication major, found Bentley’s journalism experience very interesting. “And at the end of the day he wasn't concerned with getting a byline or any kind of brand building. When he tells a story it's about the subject and their truth and that was really inspiring to hear.” 

Bentley also said he “was honored to be back at Trinity.”

Correction: an earlier version of the story mistakenly stated that Mr. Bentley worked at CBC. He worked at CBS.