Jack Krueger

Reporter Art Olszyk characterized Jack Krueger as the pioneer who set up broadcast news in Milwaukee." As news editor and then Public Affairs Director of WTMJ-TV over a span of fifty three years, Krueger was a witness, and sometimes leader, of many changes in the field of television. As television evolved over the decades, a new set of rules had to be mapped out to address the ways in which topics were covered. How much power did television have? How much power should politicians have over television? Should cameras be allowed in the courtroom? Should all public government sessions be open to the press? How will the advent of cable television change broadcasting?

Jack Krueger and WTMJ-TV broke ground in every area. As president of the Radio-Television News Directors Association, he weighed in on a national level on issues of censorship and equal time for political candidates. The station was accused of unfair coverage of the race riots of 1967 and then of violating anti-trust laws by owning two newspapers and the television station in 1969. WTMJ-TV brought legal action against Mayor Maier in 1972 when he excluded the press from a government meeting.

Jack Krueger and communication:

How does a news editor contribute to the public's understanding of the news?

How does looking at television's past affect our understanding of history?

In the Archives: The materials in the Archives' collection document many topics including cameras in the courtroom, the Federal Communication Commission's Fairness Doctrine, employee manuals, the development of WTMJ-TV, television and radio, audience surveys and material pertaining to the Milwaukee Journal's dispute with Milwaukee Mayor Henry Maier. There are also miscellaneous publications from national organizations and speeches given by people in the media profession.  The publications and speeches deal with the coverage of news by radio and television.