Mary Junck talks industry in Women in Media series

One of the country’s leaders in print media said the newspaper industry isn’t dead — yet.

“There is a lot of life left in print,” said Mary Junck in a speech Tuesday. “Certainly it’s going to last for my lifetime. Beyond that, I’m not so sure.”

Junck, the CEO of the news organization Lee Enterprises and chairwoman of the Associated Press Board of Directors, spoke to students in Carroll Hall Auditorium as part of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication’s Women in Media Leadership Series.

She said it’s an exciting time in the journalism industry, not a scary one.

“Like many other industries we are undergoing a lot of change, and it’s really a fun place to be,” she said.

Junck graduated from UNC’s graduate school of journalism in 1971 and then went to work at The Charlotte Observer, where she did research. She said she originally wanted to be a newspaper publisher, but at that time there was only one female publisher in the entire country.

She said she was able to move up the ranks by applying for positions — even those she knew she might not get.

“I think one of the biggest obstacles is sometimes women don’t see themselves in the next job up or two jobs up,” Junck said.

She told female students to raise their hand for every job opening they can.

“Seeing how much (Junck) was able to accomplish, I don’t fear being discriminated against,” said sophomore Sarah Love.

Junck said women have come a long way since she began, but she said minorities are still underrepresented in all areas of the journalism industry.

“It’s good business practice to have diverse voices in your newsroom and sitting around your boardroom because that’s how our audience is,” she said.

Junck said Lee Enterprises has taken strides to incorporate those voices in their organization.

UNC sophomore Ashley Simpson said she enjoyed hearing an optimistic perspective on the journalism profession.

She said she was in awe of what Junck has been able to achieve in the industry.

“That’s the kind of thing that translates to whatever industry you’re in,” Simpson said.

Junck said the key to remaining strong during hard times is to remain enthusiastic and to recognize the importance of the work of those around you.

“In all of our markets, our reporters and journalists and photographers and videographers do an excellent job of covering the news and what’s important to their communities,” Junck said. “I think we are making a difference in those communities.”

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