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Who is David Shuster and what is his journalism background?
Executive summary
David Shuster is an American television journalist and talk host whose resume spans CNN (early career), Fox News (late 1990s–2002), MSNBC/NBC (anchor and substitute host), Current TV/Al Jazeera America, i24NEWS, and work with The Young Turks/YouTube projects; his Wikipedia and biographical profiles highlight roles as anchor, correspondent and managing editor across those outlets [1] [2] [3]. Sources note key beats and assignments — Gulf War and 1992 campaign coverage at CNN, Whitewater reporting at KATV, Pentagon coverage on 9/11 for Fox, and prime-time breaking-news anchoring at MSNBC — and mention an Emmy and later work on digital/podcast platforms [1] [2] [4].
1. Early reporting and rise through cable news
Shuster began his journalism career in CNN’s Washington bureau as an assignment editor and field producer from 1990–1994, where he contributed to coverage of the Persian Gulf War and the 1992 presidential campaign; that early national-news experience set him up for on-air reporting roles that followed [1] [5]. After leaving CNN he became a political reporter for KATV in Little Rock, Arkansas, covering the Whitewater scandal — work that local and biographical profiles credit as part of his formative reporting years [1] [2].
2. Fox News correspondent and 9/11 coverage
Multiple biographical sources report that Shuster was a Washington-based correspondent for Fox News from roughly 1996 through 2002, and that he led Fox’s Washington coverage on September 11, 2001, including reporting from the Pentagon [2] [6]. This period is presented as his move from local politics into national-security and political beats at a high-profile cable outlet [2].
3. MSNBC/NBC: anchor, substitute host, and high-profile breaking news
Shuster is best known to many viewers for his years at NBC News and MSNBC, where he hosted programs, served as the primary backup for shows such as Countdown with Keith Olbermann and Hardball with Chris Matthews, and anchored prime-time breaking-news coverage (including the death of Michael Jackson, major healthcare legislation votes, and the Haiti earthquake) [2] [1]. Profiles note he was suspended in 2010 after auditioning for another network and later moved on to Current TV roles tied to Countdown’s relaunch [1].
4. Later TV roles — Current TV, Al Jazeera America, i24NEWS, and digital work
After MSNBC, Shuster worked as a substitute/anchor for Current TV’s relaunch efforts and later served as an evening anchor for Al Jazeera America and as principal anchor and managing editor for i24NEWS; his later career also includes digital and podcasting work and a presence on TYT/Rebel HQ platforms [1] [2] [7] [3]. Profiles emphasize a transition from mainstream cable primetime to a mix of international cable and online platforms [2] [3].
5. Awards, education and miscellaneous biographical details
Biographical entries and profiles describe Shuster as an Emmy Award–winning journalist and note his education — honors graduate from the University of Michigan and a Master’s in Public Policy from Georgetown University — plus personal background (born July 22, 1967, Bloomington, Indiana) in extended bios [4] [7] [8]. Available sources mention the Emmy and his academic credentials [4] [7].
6. Reputation, controversies and differing portrayals
Coverage and commentary portray Shuster variously: mainstream bios emphasize anchoring and editorial roles, while commentary outlets have criticized or lampooned him at times; one source records a suspension tied to auditioning for another network [1] [9]. Opinionated outlets (e.g., NewsBusters, DailyKos) use different frames — praise, critique, or satire — underscoring that assessments of Shuster’s career can be partisan or editorialized [10] [9].
7. Where the sources converge and where reporting is thin
Across the provided profiles there is convergence on the arc: CNN early-career producer, local political reporting at KATV, Fox News correspondent (1996–2002), notable years at MSNBC/NBC as anchor/substitute host, and later roles at Current TV, Al Jazeera America, i24NEWS, and digital platforms [1] [2] [6] [3]. Available sources do not mention exhaustive details such as every contract date, salary figures, or comprehensive lists of awards beyond the general “Emmy” attribution; those specifics are not found in the current reporting [4].
8. Quick reading list (to follow up)
Start with the concise encyclopedia-style overview (Wikipedia) for a timeline and major episodes [1], then read the TYT profile and i24/Current TV bios for his on-air roles and later digital work [2] [3]. For critical takes and context about controversies or commentary, consult opinion pieces and media-watch sites which illustrate how partisan outlets frame his career differently [9] [10].
Limitations: This analysis uses only the supplied results and cites them directly; available sources do not provide exhaustive employment dates for every position nor independent verification of every award claim beyond the general biographical statements cited [1] [4].