WARREN, SHARON Veteran reporter Helen Thomas to speak

By LAURIE M. FISHER
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
After 57 years as a news reporter, Helen Thomas likes the fact that she can now comment on news and issues as a Hearst newspaper columnist.
"I can write my opinion," said Thomas in an interview from her office in Washington, D.C. "That's very different from working for a wire service. Now I am allowed to say what I am thinking."
Thomas resigned from her position at UPI and as White House bureau chief in May 2000 and was hired as a columnist for Hearst Papers last July. She writes two columns a week on national issues for 12 daily papers.
Thomas will share her views with local audiences at two appearances this week, first in Warren and later in Sharon, Pa.
She said her remarks would include anecdotes from her years as a correspondent for United Press International and a member of the Washington press corps.
Thomas has taken time throughout her career to share her experiences with audiences around the country. Yet she does not see herself as a news source, even though she now gives interviews as well as conducting them.
Her career: A graduate of Wayne State University, she joined United Press International in 1943. For 12 years, she wrote radio news for UPI and then reported the news on federal government including Justice, the FBI, Health and Human Services and Capitol Hill. Thomas began covering then president-elect John F. Kennedy in November 1960.
"Kennedy was my favorite [president], because he was the most inspired," she said. "He created the Peace Corps and said we were going to the moon, and we did."
Her address also will detail many of her experiences included in her recently published book, "Front Seat at the White House," Thomas explained. She will present anecdotes about the presidency and the White House and "covering instant history."
On press criticism: Thomas said the continuing criticism of the news media is nothing new. "Reporters have always felt blamed for the news," she said. "We may accent the negative, but we have to call them as we see them."
"I think the press is very misunderstood. You can't have a democracy without informed people," she noted.
"The news conference is one of the only forums in society where the president can be questioned. And he should be. Otherwise we would be ruled by edict," she added.
Thomas acknowledged that television has changed the news business. She joined the White House press corps when television was coming into its heyday, she explained. Kennedy was the first president to have a televised news conference.
Pioneer: During her career, Thomas has been recognized for breaking ground for women in the press. She was the only female print journalist traveling with President Nixon to China in January 1972.
Thomas served as the president of the Women's National Press Club, the first female officer of the National Press Club and the first female officer of the White House Correspondents Association and its first female president. She has received 30 honorary doctorate degrees.
At age 80, she said she has no plans for retirement. "I will continue to work as long as I can."