Iowa politics-watchers have been tuning in to public television’s “Iowa Press” program for longer than I can remember. Even now, when junkies can get around-the-clock news fixes from cable networks or social media, newsmaker interviews on “Iowa Press” are often must-see tv for those following state government.
Many “Iowa Press” panelists have come and gone, but Dean Borg has moderated the show since its inception in 1971. Iowa Public Television announced last week that Borg will turn the program over to someone else after the first week of next year’s legislative session. He will continue to appear on occasional television broadcasts. I’m seeking comment on whether he will continue to file stories for Iowa Public Radio, where he has worked since 2000.
I enclose below more background on Borg and his many accomplishments, from Iowa Public Television’s news release.
The network hasn’t yet named a new host for “Iowa Press.” Following in Borg’s footsteps will be a challenge. Who would you like to see leading the panel? I don’t have anyone specific in mind, but I think trying to copy Borg’s style would be a mistake. I’d encourage the next moderator to be more aggressive in pushing guests who evade questions. The person wouldn’t need to be as confrontational as the BBC’s legendary interviewer Jeremy Paxman–just a little less “Iowa nice.”
UPDATE: Iowa Public Television announced on November 29 that David Yepsen will take over as “Iowa Press” host in January (scroll down for the full statement). Yepsen was a panelist on the program for many years, when his main work was for the Des Moines Register.
From Iowa Public Television’s November 23 press release:
Dean Borg set to retire from weekly broadcast after 40+ years
Veteran journalist Dean Borg, the longest-serving program host in Iowa Public Television history, will retire from the weekly program Iowa Press in early 2017. Borg has been with the statewide network and Iowa Press for more than four decades. Since its inaugural broadcast in 1971, Borg has been a fixture on the public affairs program, hosting and moderating the popular broadcast that interviews political figures and explores issues of statewide and national importance.
“Dean’s contributions to Iowa Public Television and specifically to Iowa Press are too numerous to count,” said Molly Phillips, IPTV Executive Director and General Manager. “Not only has he been an anchor for the state’s longest running public affairs television program, his measured broadcast abilities have become a fixture known to political aspirants across Iowa and beyond. Whether it is a statehouse issue, a presidential candidate interview or a gubernatorial debate Dean always brings his best to each broadcast – with a high level of professionalism that Iowans have come to expect from IPTV for the last 40 years,” said Phillips.
A Forest City, Iowa native, Borg’s work has been recognized with numerous honors, including the Iowa Broadcast News Association’s (IBNA) Jack Shelley Award, Iowa State University’s (ISU) Greenlee School of Journalism’s Schwartz Award and the six-state Midwest Broadcast Journalists Association’s Charnley Award. ISU has also honored Borg with its Distinguished Achievement Citation, ISU’s highest award to alumni.
While Borg will be retiring as moderator and host of the weekly program, his talents will still be present during IPTV specials and various live broadcasts. In requesting retirement as the Iowa Press host, Borg said he was “conflicted because I enjoy working with IPTV’s talented production staff, professional journalists and political leaders. I continue learning from all of them.”
Dean Borg’s last day as host of Iowa Press will be Friday, January 13, following IPTV’s live coverage of the Condition of the State on Tuesday, January 10. Borg’s replacement as host and moderator on Iowa Press will be named at a later date.
Each week, Iowa Press explores the issues affecting the lives of Iowans. Newsmakers, policy makers and elected officials join capitol reporters in a weekly discussion. The program airs Friday evenings and Sundays at noon on IPTV. It is also broadcast Saturday mornings on IPTV’s .3 channel, IPTV WORLD. Past episodes of Iowa Press are available online at Iptv.org .
From Iowa Public Television’s November 29 press release:
Veteran political journalist David Yepsen, nationally recognized as an expert on the Iowa political scene, will return to Iowa Press as the program host in early 2017. Yepsen takes the reigns from Dean Borg, whose retirement from the statewide network and Iowa Press was announced last week. Yepsen, a frequent guest panelist at the Iowa Press table since the late 1970s, has appeared on countless network programs, including PBS NewsHour, and CNN, Fox, MSNBC and CSPAN programs. He recently returned to Iowa after retiring as director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, where he served since 2009.
“David’s return to Iowa Public Television and specifically as host of Iowa Press continues the high level of professionalism that Iowans have come to expect from IPTV,” said Molly Phillips, IPTV Executive Director and General Manager. “David covered every presidential campaign from 1976 through 2008, and was an integral part of IPTV’s public affairs programming for more than 30 years. He brings a lifelong love of politics, expertise on the Iowa Caucuses and insightful analysis honed over decades of hard work as one of America’s best political reporters to his role as host of the state’s longest running public affairs television program. Whether it is legislative business at the Iowa General Assembly, an interview with a political figure or an issue of statewide or national importance, David’s objectivity and analysis ensure that the Iowa Press panel will continue to educate, inform, enrich and inspire Iowans,” said Phillips.
A native of Jefferson, Iowa, Yepsen covered government and politics for The Des Moines Register for 32 years. He graduated from the University of Iowa with a bachelor of General Studies in 1972 and earned a Masters in Public Administration (MPA) degree at Drake University in 1985. Yepsen was a fall fellow Harvard’s Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy in 1989, and in 2008 was a fellow at the Institute of Politics at Harvard.
In accepting the position, Yepsen said “It’s a tremendous honor to return ‘home’ to Iowa Press. I have great respect for Dean Borg and for the reputation he helped build for the program. It is Iowa’s most trusted resource for public policy evaluation and political analysis, and the best platform for civic and civil discourse on the critical issues we face as a state and nation. I’m excited to be part of that conversation.”
David Yepsen begins as host and moderator on Iowa Press Friday, January 20. Dean Borg’s last day will be Friday, January 13, following IPTV’s live coverage of the Condition of the State on Tuesday, January 10.