Journomentary
Journomentary is the department's real-world collaboration in telling stories about important events in the development of American media and society. But it is much more. The Journomentary unit fosters links between professional and academic perspectives on journalism and media across national contexts. Journomentary's projects feature UC faculty and student personnel working with industry professionals on documentary-style films, conducting academic research on issues at the heart of the journalistic enterprise, and heightening public understanding of our shared world. We list feature projects below.
Everything has a history. Local TV news is no different. Before Al Primo, if you wanted to see TV reporters in action, you had to go to the newsroom and lay eyes on them. That all changed in 1965 with Primo's singular TV news innovation: Eyewitness News. Beginning in March 2024, Journomentary presents an interview series detailing Primo's impact on TV news in all its forms, and featuring Al Primo himself, along with other Eyewitness News personnel. Mr. Primo's insights on the state of TV news and his advice for young and aspiring journalists are as first-rate today as they were five decades ago. Journomentary has also completed its full length documentary telling the story of Mr. Primo’s development of Eyewitness News.
Al Primo: TV Media's First Maestro
In August 2023, WABC-TV New York, the nation’s most-watched local television station and the flagship of the Eyewitness News format, celebrated its 75th anniversary. The station featured some of Journomentary’s interview material in its commemoration.
Journomentary’s “Al Primo & His Eyewitness News Revolution” has won multiple awards at national and international documentary festivals, and is set for its New York City premiere at WABC-TV in May 2024.
Al Primo & His Eyewitness News Revolution starring: Geraldo Rivera, Marciarose Shestack, Melba Tolliver, Pat Ciarrocchi, Craig Allen, John Kosinski, Valeri Primo, Joe Coscia, Alan Weiss, Rose Anne Scamardella, Joe Rovitto, Marty Pompadur, Paul Gluck, and Albert T. Primo. Directed by Brian Calfano and Narrated by John Johnson. The 7 Lincoln Square Premiere Live Studio on Thursday May 2nd at 6:30 p.m. Featuring refreshments, film, and Q&A.
The Al Primo Interview
Journomentary produced a summary of the full-length 2022 interview with Al Primo about Eyewitness News, available below.
Geraldo Rivera, Rose Ann Scamardella, and Joe Coscia Celebrate 55 Years of Eyewitness News at WABC-TV New York
In November 2023, Journomentary hosted an event at The University of Cincinnati to commemorate the 55th anniversary of Eyewitness News’ debut on WABC-TV. Journomentary’s video of the program features WABC alums Geraldo Rivera, Rose Ann Scamardella, and Joe Coscia discussing major news stories of the 1970s while offering advice about the future of the TV news business for today’s aspiring journalists.