Belo Corp. : Veteran Journalist Carolyn Mungo named Executive News Director at Belo Corp Flagship Station WFAA-TV in the Dallas-Fort Worth Market

02/07/12 Veteran Journalist Carolyn Mungo named Executive News Director at Belo Corp Flagship Station WFAA-TV in the Dallas-Fort Worth Market

Dallas, TX - Carolyn Mungo has been named executive news director at WFAA, the ABC affiliate in Dallas-Fort Worth.

"Carolyn is a nationally recognized journalist with nearly 20-years of history in large market television newsrooms," said Mike Devlin, WFAA president and general manager. "She is experienced, resilient, thoughtful and a good communicator, whom I believe will be the next outstanding leader in the WFAA newsroom."

Mungo has spent the last seven years of her career in news management positions. Most recently she served as assistant news director at KRIV, the FOX-owned television station in Houston where she has worked since 2009. Prior to that position she was the newsroom's managing editor.

"Carolyn has a long track record as an accomplished field reporter, which is a critical component to any successful news operation," said Devlin. During her 27-year distinguished journalism career, Mungo has worked as a reporter in a variety of major market newsrooms including Minneapolis, Phoenix and Belo-owned KHOU in Houston. She has been recognized with a series of industry honors including 18 Regional Emmys and 3 Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards. She has received five "Reporter of the Year" designations from the Houston Press Club, Dallas Press Club, and the Arizona and Texas Associated Press.

"As someone who worked in the field for many years, Carolyn knows the importance of enterprise reporting," said Devlin. "Her background in newsgathering is an essential quality for a successful WFAA newsroom."

"The demands of a major market newsroom take a special set of skills," said Mungo. "I am well aware of the challenges because I have lived them. I am thrilled to be able to lead WFAA to new heights, and to continue the legacy and tradition of a strong newsroom in North Texas."

Mungo has a depth of experience in a variety of digital media. "It's not good enough anymore to simply embrace new media," said Mungo. "It has to become part of the fabric of a television station. The key is engagement, every hour of every day. Creating strong local content on multiple platforms will be a top priority. I cannot think of a more exciting time to be in television news."

"Consumers are watching the 'three screens' more than ever," said Devlin, "and reaching them is important to our success. Carolyn's foundation as a field reporter and content-focused news director are essential to a successful digital strategy at the station."

Mungo has played a role in a number of influential industry boards and committees, and has been featured in publications.  Her "Narrative Storytelling in a Drive by Medium" was published in 2000 in Harvard University's prestigious quarterly magazine, Neiman Reports. From 2005-2008 she facilitated ethics newsroom seminars at RTNDA conferences in Massachusetts, Michigan, Ohio and Kentucky. She also served on the national advisory board of the Poynter Institute for Media Studies and as a visiting faculty member from 1997-2008.

In her new position, Mungo replaces current station vice president/News, Michael Valentine, who was promoted to a corporate position as vice president/Content. "While we will certainly miss Michael's tenacity, humor and outstanding contributions, we look forward to interacting with him in his new role," said Devlin. While at WFAA Valentine led a news team recognized with two George Foster Peabody Awards, a pair of National Edward R. Murrow Awards and three duPont-Columbia University Silver Batons.  In 2009, WFAA made history as the only local news station ever presented the prestigious duPont-Columbia Gold Baton.

Mungo is a New York native, a graduate of Illinois State University and the mother of two children. She will begin her new responsibilities at WFAA in late February.

###

WFAA is part of Belo Corp. (BLC), one of the nation's largest pure-play, publicly-traded television companies, that owns and operates 20 television stations (nine in the top 25 markets) and their associated Web sites.  Belo stations, which include affiliations with ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX and the CW, reach more than 14 percent of U.S. television households in 15 highly-attractive markets.  Belo stations rank first or second in nearly all of their local markets.  Additional information is available at www.belo.com or by contacting Dave Muscari, WFAA vice president/product development at 214-977-6490.