SAM KNEF, TV NEWS REPORTER

To whom it may concern,

My name is Sam Knef. I’ve been working as a TV news reporter professionally since April 2016. Before that, I graduated from the University of Missouri School of Journalism in December 2015. My career first brought me to Evansville, Indiana. I worked at WEHT/WTVW as a multimedia journalist for two and a half years. After that, I headed north to WWMT in Kalamazoo, Michigan to be the station’s Battle Creek Bureau Reporter. I took over some of the station’s political reporting responsibilities in August 2020.

During my time in Michigan, I’ve covered high profile court cases, deadly shootouts, tragic fires and presidential visits. I’ve dug up documents for investigations, interviewed the state’s governor about her interactions with the president and broken down local ordinances as Michigan became one of the first states to legalize marijuana for recreational use.

Being a journalist in 2020 has been draining, both mentally and physically. I’ve risen to the challenge of keeping viewers informed through the historic events of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the social justice movement. I’ve been at the forefront of my station’s efforts to hold public entities accountable for the safety of our local communities. I’ve never been more proud to be a journalist than I have been this year. Good journalism is needed, now more than ever.

In March 2020, I put together a story about how the pandemic had changed people’s lives up to that point. Scott Livingston, Senior Vice President of News for the Sinclair Broadcast Group, sent me an email in response to the story.

“I liked how you used real people to tell this story. You not only captured the emotion, but it was a great illustration of everything we don’t know. It was a good story… We are fortunate to have someone with your talent and commitment on our team.”

I can contribute excellent reporting, and be a great asset to any newsroom. I’m a creative thinker. I relish the challenge of drawing viewers in, giving them a reason to stay, and making them glad they did in a time when their attention is split in so many different directions. I recognize the importance of adapting news content to the platforms people are consuming it on. As news continues to evolve, I want to evolve with it.

My goal for every story is to make a difference for someone watching. The ability to impact people’s lives is why I love doing what I do, despite all of its challenges. I continue to push myself to grow as a reporter, and as a person. I’m incredibly proud of my growth.

I’m a hard worker who doesn’t believe in quitting. I’ll add energy to any newsroom, and give everything I can to further the station’s success.

Thank you very much for your careful consideration, and please feel free to contact me at your convenience.

Sincerely,

Sam Knef