Ben Schwartz
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BEN SCHWARTZ
Multimedia Journalist
Photographs by Ben Schwartz
“I  gained more access and insight into state politics than any aspiring journalist could ever hope for.”
BEN SCHWARTZ
2020 Ohio Statehouse News Fellow
Scripps Howard Fellowship Recipient
Reflections on a Crazy Year
There’s something to be said about being in the right place at the right time. As a reporter assigned to the Ohio Statehouse, it was the opportunity of a lifetime to cover politics on the ground, as a student, in the state I’d grown to love so much.

In December of 2019, I became the proud recipient of a News Bureau fellowship while studying at the Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University. For nearly a year, I reported from Columbus for a Cincinnati TV station, WCPO. Although I was excited for the fellowship, I did not realize how much it would reinforce my determination to aggressively cover local news.

What I originally viewed as my next logical step in reporting quickly turned into a nonstop, action-packed marathon of events that gave me unimaginable access to high-ranking state officials. Within weeks of covering normal legislative business, I was thrust into reporting on an emerging pandemic and the protests, violence, and chaos that followed.
There’s something to be said about being in the right place at the right time. As a reporter assigned to the Ohio Statehouse, it was the opportunity of a lifetime to cover politics on the ground, as a student, in the state I’d grown to love so much.

In December of 2019, I became the proud recipient of a News Bureau fellowship while studying at the Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University. For nearly a year, I reported from Columbus for a Cincinnati TV station, WCPO. Although I was excited for the fellowship, I did not realize
how much it would reinforce my determination to aggressively cover local news.

What I originally viewed as my next logical step in reporting quickly turned into a nonstop, action-packed marathon of events that gave me unimaginable access to high-ranking state officials. Within weeks of covering normal legislative business, I was thrust into reporting on an emerging pandemic and the protests, violence, and chaos that followed.

Hear Ben Interviewed About His 2020 Experiences on Robert Stewart’s, Scripps Talks Podcast
Listen Now
“Best Newscast” Student Award, N.A.T.A.S. Ohio Valley Chapter
In 2019, my WOUB colleagues and I proudly accepted the “Best Newscast” Student Production Award in the College/University category from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Ohio Valley Chapter. I was part of a great team that produced our winning segment about sexual assault in Athens, OH.
From The Newsroom
To The Field
After years of anchoring, reporting, and producing for WOUB-TV’s nightly newscast, Newswatch, I was eager to hit the ground running, and reporting from the scene.
on assignment
Photographs by Ben Schwartz
Democratic Debate Assignment
Then-Senator Kamala Harris was one of many presidential candidates I had access to in the spin room, at the 2019 democratic presidential debate in Westerville, OH.
National Guard Assignment
The Ohio National Guard’s “Vigilant Guard” training exercise was a week-long, all-encompassing disaster response exercise carried out across the entire state. One of the most interesting stories I’ve been able to cover, with a free Black Hawk helicopter ride thrown in as well.
Statehouse Covid-19 Assignment
Covering an unprecedented crisis can be challenging at times. This image is just one of many that captures an intense moment, during an intense time.
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