Before he became a journalist, Michael Lee Pope read more than enough journalism writing.
Pope originally studied American Studies and Social Sciences in college years before becoming a journalist.
“I’ve always considered journalism more of a skill than an academic pursuit,” Pope said.
Pope just didn’t become a journalist without some inspiring people in his life like Bob Woodward, Al Kamen, Dana Milbank, and Peter Overby
Pope’s work wasn’t just limited to being a journalist. He has also been a radio broadcaster for WAMU 88.5 News, and on television. Pope’s first day though was a disaster to him and his wife.
“It was Valentine’s Day, and my wife was angry I didn’t take her to dinner,” Pope said.
Some journalist wake up and afterwards drink a cup of coffee and think about their next story. Pope instead does something different for his mornings.
“I go to the gym in the morning and consider which stories I want to pursue while I’m on the elliptical,” Pope said.
For Pope, one of his most memorable experiences is one that isn’t all that nice. It is quite the opposite. It is terrible and it still scars him today.
“One time I was covering the death of an elderly woman who was hit by a UPS truck. Neighbors took me to her house, and then her son showed up and asked me what happened,” Pope said. “I knew his mother was dead, but I didn’t feel it was my place to tell him. I think I said something like, “You need to talk to the police. This still haunts me.”
Pope could have chosen anything to become, but he wanted to pursue something others were hiding.
“I want to expose something that somebody somewhere wants to suppress. All the rest is advertising,” Pope said.