WKYC's Russ Mitchell Shares Journalism Advice with Students

Veteran news anchor encourages aspiring journalists to stay determined and approach the profession with integrity.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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Russ Mitchell, a longtime news anchor and managing editor at WKYC-TV in Cleveland, recently visited the Cleveland Media Academy and shared his advice for students interested in pursuing a career in journalism. Mitchell discussed his own path into the industry, emphasizing the importance of persistence, compassion, and using technology as a tool rather than relying on it entirely.

Why it matters

Mitchell's visit provides valuable insights for aspiring journalists, highlighting the challenges and rewards of the profession. As AI continues to play a growing role in media, Mitchell's perspective on balancing technology with human skills and integrity is particularly relevant for the next generation of reporters.

The details

During his talk, Mitchell recounted how he initially took a job answering phones at a local news station, even though it wasn't his dream role. Through that experience, he made connections that ultimately helped him become a reporter and eventually a news anchor. Mitchell stressed the importance of being kind to everyone, as it can help build valuable relationships and make people more willing to work with you.

  • Mitchell visited the Cleveland Media Academy on January 31, 2026.
  • Mitchell has had a distinguished career in media, covering and living through many historical events.

The players

Russ Mitchell

A longtime news anchor and managing editor at WKYC-TV in Cleveland, with a distinguished career in journalism.

Cleveland Media Academy

A local organization that provides education and training for aspiring journalists in the Cleveland area.

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What they’re saying

“There are going to be people who tell you you can't do things in life, but do not listen to them.”

— Russ Mitchell, News Anchor/Managing Editor (cleveland.com)

“Being a journalist, you have to have the mindset of a police officer because you are going to see a lot of hard stories, but when dealing with those types of stories, always show compassion for the person you are interviewing.”

— Russ Mitchell, News Anchor/Managing Editor (cleveland.com)

“As a journalist, you can not rely on AI for everything; use it as a tool to help, but you still have to do the work. AI is not always accurate.”

— Russ Mitchell, News Anchor/Managing Editor (cleveland.com)

The takeaway

Mitchell's visit to the Cleveland Media Academy provided aspiring journalists with valuable insights and encouragement, emphasizing the importance of persistence, compassion, and maintaining human skills in an increasingly technology-driven media landscape.