Class of
2002
Bio: Eric Kahnert anchors Eyewitness News 4 Live at 4 Monday through Friday. He also enjoys digging up stories as a reporter for the 10 p.m. news.
While at KOB, Kahnert has tracked down the worst DWI offenders in the state, exposed where unregistered sex offenders live, and followed the miraculous recovery of a little girl who overdosed on her father’s methadone. Kahnert is dedicated to the stories he covers. He once worked 27 hours straight reporting on the abduction of a baby whose mother had just been murdered. The baby was later found unharmed and the suspect was arrested.
Kahnert has received numerous awards over the years from The Associated Press and the New Mexico Broadcasters Association. In 2008, Kahnert won a first place award for a story uncovering problems with typical smoke detectors, and another first place for a story about a 7 year old boy who saved his family after a rollover crash. His story on the dangers of text messaging drivers also took top honors in 2007. Kahnert’s breaking news reports and in-depth coverage have contributed to numerous station awards as well.
Kahnert lives in Rio Rancho with his wife, Allison, and their dog, Sophie. Kahnert enjoys playing hockey, and volunteering in the community.
ATVN positions and duties: Anchor, Reporter, Editor, Photographer
How did ATVN prepare you for your current job?
ATVN gave me real world experience, and prepared me for the duties I perform everyday. The ATVN staff and journalism professors gave me the skills to be successful in a small market news station, and quickly move into the larger markets. ATVN taught me to push myself to be the best and always be willing to learn new things. Knowing how to write, shoot and edit in college still benefits me today.
What is your advice to aspiring journalists?
Work on your storytelling ability. Put yourself in the shoes of the viewer and ask, “What would make this story interesting?” Humanize your stories, so viewers can relate to what you are saying. Don’t throw facts and numbers at someone without explaining how it will affect them. Work on your writing and be conversational. Every time you look into
that camera you should feel as if you are simply holding a conversation with your viewer. Tell your story visually as well; sequence and the pace of pictures are just as important as the words over them. Remember, TV is a visual medium; therefore, work on your editing skills. Listen to your instructors; they know what they’re talking about.
What are the top three skills college journalism students should be working on in order to be prepared for their first broadcasting job?
1. Writing 2. Editing 3. Interviewing
What is the most important thing a college journalist should know when he or she is trying to negotiate his or her first job?
Don’t do it for the money, do it for the experience. Make sure you understand your contract’s “outs” and the small print. Find out how the other employees like their positions, and WHERE some of the other people in that position have gone. Be sure to understand the duties of the position before signing. Make sure you will have opportunities to move up or try new positions to gain experience; it will make yourself more marketable.
What prepared you most for your current job?
Working hard on my writing and editing in class and at ATVN. Getting my resume tape done early and sending out A LOT of copies. Understanding what my first job would be all about. Listening to my instructors and taking their advice.
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