My City June 2022

“Our industry is more important now than ever before. We need credible truth-seek ers who will relentlessly seek it and hold people accountable. It’s our responsibility.”

at a table guring out how to spin a story one way or another. at ’s not something we do. We tell the story as it is and people forget how pains taking it is to conrm information.” While social media is immediately spewing hearsay, Custer is busy ver ifying facts. Journalists have trouble navigating the chaos while maintain ing their integrity and to journalists like Custer, integrity is very import ant. In Toledo, he got into hot water while on the air when his director told him to report the news of Michael Jackson’s death that had been received from an online source. He refused to do so until the story could be veried.

In his relentless search for truth, Custer has interviewed political candi dates and celebrities (Cher stands out), exposed corruption, and provided hope and inspiration. (He even went skydiving. “Never again!” he laughs.) But what he is most proud of, even more than his numerous awards, are the people listed on his awards – those who trusted him to tell their stories and the truth he un covered. “I exposed a small town police chief who was selling badges for $1,000 each and allowing the owners to get away with anything,” he says. “I have also spoken to a family that, during COVID, stayed outside their grandmother’s hospi tal window every day so she wouldn’t be alone at the end of her life.”ese stories give him strength and purpose. At the end of the day, it’s what means the most. e ability to present a story in an entertaining and informative way accord ing to the facts is the essence of journal ism. Custer advises that for those who love telling stories in a visual way and are passionate about nding the truth, a career in journalism can hold a reward ing future. “Make sure to never insert yourself into the story,” he cautions. “As a journalist, it’s never about you.” It’s been a long road and since 2016, David Custer has been present ing the truth at WNEM TV5. He has no plans to do anything else. “I live day to day and walk out of the station with a sense of accomplishment,” he smiles. “I’m content with who I am.” ®

before,” he states. “We need credible truth-seekers who will relentlessly seek it and hold people accountable. It ’s our responsibility.” Social media skews the very perception of jour nalism and is a constant problem for hardworking industry professionals. "People think I spend my time sitting IN MAINE, CUSTER INTERVIEWS MID-MICHIGAN WAR HERO TRAVIS MILLS ABOUT HIS ESTABLISHED RETREAT FOR WOUNDED VETERANS.

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