First TV religion reporter honored for work

DALLAS — ABC News correspondent Peggy Wehmeyer, the nation’s first religion beat reporter for TV network news, says she hopes to be remembered for integrity in her reporting.

Accepting the Associated Baptist Press Religious Freedom Award Sept. 21 for her pioneering work in coverage of religion on television, Wehmeyer said, “The longer I’m a journalist, the more I’m convinced the qualities a journalist must have are character and integrity. I don’t remember hearing much about that in journalism school.”

She added, “The question I have to ask every day is will I take the high moral ground and what will it cost,” she said.

Wehmeyer said her goal as a reporter is to help viewers see the “heart” of people with differing religious views. “I would rather take you into the hearts of people, so even if you disagree with them you can understand their hearts.”