Making a Difference in the Community: Local Journalism at NBC Washington

By Dean’s Intern Claire Savage at NBC4 Washington

My work as a Digital Intern at NBC Washington is varied, fun and challenging. I get to cover a huge range of topics, from politics to swimming to confederate statues to weekend activities and way more. I’ve also had the opportunity to reach a wider audience through three stories I wrote that were nationalized. Most importantly, I like covering local news because it reminds me every day that local journalism can make a real difference in people’s lives.

A few broadcast videos I helped cut and edit for NBCWashington.com come to mind: In one story, NBC4 transportation reporter Adam Tuss shot a package about a dangerous intersection across the street from an elementary school in Southeast D.C.  Residents had been calling for months for a stop sign to be added, but had been unable to get an audience with DDOT. After NBC4’s reporting, the stop sign was added just in time for the start of the school year.

In another story, because had NBC4 reported on multiple burglaries in the area, neighbors in Prince George’s County compared security footage and realized they had been robbed by the same person. The neighbors then sent the footage to the police and helped them arrest a suspect.

It makes me feel proud to work for an organization that is integral in keeping the public informed and local government accountable. Reporting local news at NBC Washington makes me motivated to keep learning, growing and improving as a journalist. Every story, no matter how small, has the potential to change a life, and it’s an honor and a privilege to carry that responsibility at NBC Washington.