Barbara Walters’ historic transition to ABC News as the first female network evening news co-anchor marked a volatile shift in broadcast journalism. Initially met with intense hostility from colleagues and the press, Walters faced accusations of being a "showbiz" figure rather than a "pure" news professional, exacerbated by her unprecedented million-dollar salary. Her partnership with Harry Reasoner was defined by palpable tension and his overt resistance to a female co-anchor without a traditional "hard news" background. Despite the initial failure of the evening news pairing, Walters salvaged her career through high-rated prime-time specials and high-stakes international diplomacy. Her persistence led to landmark interviews with world leaders like Fidel Castro, Anwar Sadat, and the Shah of Iran, whom she directly challenged on sexism. These journalistic achievements eventually forced her critics to acknowledge her toughness and competence, redefining her role as a central figure in ABC’s news evolution.
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