by The Remarkable Career of Lynda Lopez
Lynda Lopez has had an illustrious career spanning over three decades in the broadcasting industry. Starting out in radio in the 1980s, she has worked her way up from an on-air reporter to becoming a respected and Emmy Award-winning television news anchor. Lopez’s journey highlights her perseverance, versatility and passion for journalism.
Early Beginnings in Radio
Lopez grew up in Queens, New York and developed an early interest in media. After graduating from St. John’s University with a degree in communications in 1985, she landed her first job in the competitive New York radio market [1]. Her big break came when she was hired as a news reporter for WCBS-AM, one of the top all-news stations in the city.
Working in radio news provided Lopez with invaluable experience reporting on breaking stories and learning to distill complex information concisely for the listening audience. She relished the fast-paced environment and thrived under pressure to be first with accurate details. During her five years at WCBS, Lopez covered major events like political campaigns, celebrity trials and natural disasters.
Transitioning to Television
In 1990, Lopez made the jump to television when she accepted a job as a reporter for WCBS-TV, the CBS owned-and-operated station in New York [2]. She enjoyed the visual element that television brought but missed the spontaneity and live interaction with listeners that radio afforded. Lopez had to adjust to the more scripted nature of television reporting and learn new skills like writing news packages and conducting on-camera interviews.
Her big break on TV came when she was assigned to cover the 1992 Los Angeles riots following the acquittal of the police officers charged in the Rodney King beating. Lopez spent days on the ground filing live reports as violence engulfed the city. Her gripping footage and unflinching narration of the chaos drew national attention. The experience demonstrated Lopez’s ability to remain calm under extreme pressure and tell important stories during times of civil unrest.
After a few years at WCBS, Lopez was recruited by CNN to be one of their correspondents. She relished the opportunity to report on international stories and travel the world. Notable assignments included covering the conflict in Bosnia in the mid-1990s. Lopez demonstrated great courage embedding with United Nations peacekeepers amid heavy shelling. Her dispatches provided vital context for American audiences about the unfolding humanitarian crisis in the region.
A Pioneer as a VJ
Always eager to try new platforms, in 1997 Lopez made a surprising career pivot when she was selected to be one of the first VJs for the newly launched music video channel VH1 [3]. As a VJ, she helped launch many of the network’s original programs by hosting and interviewing major artists. It was a departure from hard news but allowed Lopez to showcase her personality and connect with viewers in a new way.
She thrived in the less serious environment, showing off her encyclopedic knowledge of pop culture and ability to engage celebrities in relaxed conversations. Lopez helped introduce audiences to new talents and maintained her journalistic skills through in-depth profiles of musicians. It was a pioneering role for a Hispanic woman in the male-dominated fields of music television and journalism.
Return to News Anchor Role
After three enjoyable years at VH1, Lopez was ready for a new challenge. She accepted an offer in 2000 to co-anchor the morning news on WABC-TV, the ABC owned station in New York [4]. Lopez had come full circle back to television news but was now a seasoned pro with experience across various mediums.
In the aftermath of 9/11, she provided steady and compassionate coverage of the attacks and their impact on New Yorkers. Lopez’s relatability helped comfort traumatized viewers. She earned an Emmy Award for her anchoring during this difficult time. Over the next decade, Lopez covered major political campaigns and events affecting the tri-state area.
Current Role at WINS Radio
In 2011, Lopez made a return to her radio roots when she joined WINS-AM/FM as the midday news anchor [5]. Full circle again, she has come to appreciate the intimacy and connection with listeners that radio provides. Lopez enjoys interacting with callers and guests to have deeper discussions on the issues impacting local communities.
She has found renewed passion discussing hyperlocal political races and community issues rarely covered on television. With over 30 years in the business, Lopez has an encyclopedic knowledge of New York history and politics. Listeners value her institutional memory and insightful analysis during times of upheaval. She strives to elevate underreported voices and shine a light on challenges facing marginalized groups.
Outside of her daily newscasts, Lopez is active in numerous organizations focused on empowering Latina women and fostering cross-cultural understanding. She serves on the boards of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and UNICEF. Lopez also volunteers her time mentoring students interested in media careers. Giving back has always been an important part of her work.
A Trailblazer for Diversity
Over her long and varied career, Lopez has broken barriers as one of the pioneering Hispanic women in American media. She has shown tenacity moving between platforms, from radio to television to music video hosting. Lopez’s versatility is a testament to her journalistic skills and on-air charisma that connects with diverse audiences.
As one of the few Hispanic anchors of a major market news program for decades, Lopez has empowered countless young Latinas with her example. She has proven that with dedication and passion for storytelling, anyone can succeed in the competitive broadcast industry regardless of gender or ethnicity. Lopez continues striving for greater inclusion and representation behind and in front of the camera.
Now in her fifth decade in the business, Lopez remains as dedicated to her craft as ever. She relishes the opportunity each day to engage listeners through thoughtful discussions and bring important community issues to light. Lopez’s remarkable career shows no signs of slowing, continuing to set an example for the next generation of journalists with her warmth, resilience and commitment to truth and accuracy in reporting. She is a trailblazer who has left an indelible mark on American media.
