Roy M. Fisher
Encyclopedia
Roy M. Fisher was a journalist
and Editor-in-Chief of the Chicago Daily News
.
Fisher was born in Stockton, Kansas
. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism from Kansas State University
in 1940. During World War II
, he served in the U.S. Pacific Fleet, 1942–1944, was Senior U.S. Naval Liaison Officer, British Pacific Fleet, in 1945, and retired from the U.S. Naval Reserves as a Lieutenant Commander. Fisher began his journalism career in 1945, as a reporter for the Chicago Daily News. He went on to become a feature writer, city editor, and assistant managing editor. In 1951, he was also named a Nieman Fellow
at Harvard University
in political science and history.
In 1959, Fisher left the Daily News to become the Editorial Director and Vice-President of Field Enterprises Educational Corporation, the publishers of the World Book Encyclopedia
and Science Year. Fisher returned to the Chicago Daily News in 1965, as Editor-in-Chief. During his career with the Daily News, Fisher received two Pulitzer Prize
nominations and, in 1957, he shared in a Pulitzer Prize Award
. As a member of the American Society of Newspaper Editors
, he also helped create the Freedom of Information Act
in 1966 to provide citizens with more access to governmental documents.
In 1971, Fisher left the Daily News and was appointed Dean of the University of Missouri
's School of Journalism
and remained in that position until his resignation in 1982. Under his leadership, in 1981, the Associated Press Managing Editors Association rated Missouri the top journalism school in the country.
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
and Editor-in-Chief of the Chicago Daily News
Chicago Daily News
The Chicago Daily News was an afternoon daily newspaper published between 1876 and 1978 in Chicago, Illinois.-History:The Daily News was founded by Melville E. Stone, Percy Meggy, and William Dougherty in 1875 and began publishing early the next year...
.
Fisher was born in Stockton, Kansas
Stockton, Kansas
Stockton is a city in and the county seat of Rooks County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 1,329.-19th century:...
. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism from Kansas State University
Kansas State University
Kansas State University, commonly shortened to K-State, is an institution of higher learning located in Manhattan, Kansas, in the United States...
in 1940. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, he served in the U.S. Pacific Fleet, 1942–1944, was Senior U.S. Naval Liaison Officer, British Pacific Fleet, in 1945, and retired from the U.S. Naval Reserves as a Lieutenant Commander. Fisher began his journalism career in 1945, as a reporter for the Chicago Daily News. He went on to become a feature writer, city editor, and assistant managing editor. In 1951, he was also named a Nieman Fellow
Nieman Fellowship
The Nieman Fellowship is an award given to mid-career journalists by The Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University. This award allows winners time to reflect on their careers and focus on honing their skills....
at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
in political science and history.
In 1959, Fisher left the Daily News to become the Editorial Director and Vice-President of Field Enterprises Educational Corporation, the publishers of the World Book Encyclopedia
World Book Encyclopedia
The World Book Encyclopedia is an encyclopedia published in the United States. It is self-described as "the number-one selling print encyclopedia in the world." The encyclopedia is designed to cover major areas of knowledge uniformly, but it shows particular strength in scientific, technical, and...
and Science Year. Fisher returned to the Chicago Daily News in 1965, as Editor-in-Chief. During his career with the Daily News, Fisher received two Pulitzer Prize
Pulitzer Prize
The Pulitzer Prize is a U.S. award for achievements in newspaper and online journalism, literature and musical composition. It was established by American publisher Joseph Pulitzer and is administered by Columbia University in New York City...
nominations and, in 1957, he shared in a Pulitzer Prize Award
1957 Pulitzer Prize
-Journalism awards:*Public Service:**the Chicago Daily News, for determined and courageous public service in exposing a $2,500,000 fraud centering in the office of the State Auditor of Illinois, resulting in the indictment and conviction of the State Auditor and others...
. As a member of the American Society of Newspaper Editors
American Society of Newspaper Editors
The American Society of News Editors is a membership organization for editors, producers or directors in charge of journalistic organizations or departments, deans or faculty at university journalism schools, and leaders and faculty of media-related foundations and training organizations...
, he also helped create the Freedom of Information Act
Freedom of Information Act (United States)
The Freedom of Information Act is a federal freedom of information law that allows for the full or partial disclosure of previously unreleased information and documents controlled by the United States government. The Act defines agency records subject to disclosure, outlines mandatory disclosure...
in 1966 to provide citizens with more access to governmental documents.
In 1971, Fisher left the Daily News and was appointed Dean of the University of Missouri
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
's School of Journalism
Missouri School of Journalism
The Missouri School of Journalism at University of Missouri in Columbia, claims to be the oldest formal journalism school in the world. Founded in 1908, only the Ecole Supérieure de Journalisme de Paris established in 1899 may be older...
and remained in that position until his resignation in 1982. Under his leadership, in 1981, the Associated Press Managing Editors Association rated Missouri the top journalism school in the country.