UB's distinguished guest speaker draws thousands
by JUSTIN VERNOLD Correspondent

Award-winning newscaster Anderson Cooper warned against the destructive nature of the nation's polarized political climate on Saturday during an appearance as a guest of the Distinguished Speakers Series at the University at Buffalo.

The host of CNN's "Anderson Cooper 360" and a three-time Emmy Award winner, Cooper seized the opportunity to speak openly and candidly about the state of broadcast journalism. He criticized political newsmakers and reporters, as he expressed concern over the antagonistic positions taken by America's two major political parties.

"What concerns me most as an American is that more and more we're being encouraged to take polarized stances on issues," Cooper said. "A genuine swapping of ideas is not something most of us are interested in. There shouldn't be a Republican truth and a Democratic truth, there should only be truth and accuracy."

While Cooper avoided calling out any specific public officials, he said many are more comfortable dodging questions than answering them. He said that this was a recurring problem he encountered in New Orleans during CNN's coverage of Hurricane Katrina.

"Politicians practice giving reporters responses, not answers," Cooper said. "A response is different than an answer. And until we're all willing to answer for what we've done wrong, change can't take place."

Although Cooper frequently used humor to lighten the mood, he expressed alarm over the increasingly divisive stances taken on both sides of the aisle. Several times he reiterated his call for a more conciliatory, diplomatic tone in political discourse, saying that intolerance and ideological stubbornness are no laughing matters.

"I would encourage you all to not close yourself off to the viewpoints of others," Cooper said. "It's more important than ever that we understand the points of not only our friends, but also our enemies."

Cooper delivered his message in a casual, off-the-cuff fashion, adhering loosely to prepared remarks but often straying off-topic and away from the lectern, and frequently interjecting his subtle, wry sense of humor.

He described how he got his feet wet as a broadcast journalist while living in Burma during the 1990s. After graduating from college, Cooper traveled to the war-torn nation on a whim, armed only with a counterfeit press pass and a camera. He now says his time in Burma was "admittedly a ridiculous idea" devised simply as a means of gaining needed experience.

"I had a liberal arts degree, which is to say I didn't actually have any skill," Cooper joked. "I was terrible at math, science, and business. But to me, reporting from the razor's edge, to be able to peer over and not get cut was exhilarating."

Several audience members praised what they consider the bold, forthright nature of Cooper's newscast. Justin Donahoe, a senior majoring in history at UB, regarded him as "a hard-hitting journalist."

"I'm a fan of Anderson Cooper," said Donahoe, 22. "He's clearly not afraid to say what he thinks, especially to people in power."

The lecture was open to the public and held at the Alumni Arena on UB's North Campus. It was sponsored by the UB Student Association, the UB Graduate Student Association, and WBFO. Approximately 3,400 people attended the event, according to Bill Regan, the university's director of special events.