Journalism Assignment: An Interview with Oprah Winfrey's Biography

This journalism assignment delves into the life and career of Oprah Winfrey, examining her journey from a poverty-stricken childhood to becoming one of the world's most influential women. The assignment highlights her achievements as a talk show host, media proprietor, producer, and philanthropist, particularly focusing on her iconic talk show and her significant contributions to various charitable organizations like The Oprah Winfrey Foundation and the Clinton Foundation. The assignment also addresses the hardships she faced, including sexual abuse, and how she overcame these challenges to become a symbol of resilience and success. Furthermore, it presents interview questions that explore her reflections on life, success, and her vision for the world, offering insights into her personal growth and the lessons she has learned throughout her remarkable career. The assignment references key sources to support the analysis of her life and impact.

Running head: JOURNALISM
Journalism
Name of the University:
Name of the Student:
Author Note:

1JOURNALISM
Oprah Winfrey is a talk show host, American media proprietor, produce,
philanthropist and producer. She is highly popular and well known for her talk show, named
as ‘The Oprah Winfrey Show’. The TV show was nationally syndicated and one of the
highest rated television programs in between 1986-2011. In the twentieth century, she was
the richest African American and the first multi-billionaire black person of North America.
Not only this, she was also been ranked as the greatest black philanthropist in the history of
America (Oprah.com. 2018). Born to a poverty-stricken family, Oprah has to face many
hardships in her life. Now, that lady is being ranked as the world’s most influential woman.
Moreover, when it comes to charity and being benevolent, one person comes in every
individual’s mind and that is Oprah Winfrey. She has made various contributions and donated
millions to several organizations and charities. Most of her contributions go to three
foundations, The Oprah Winfrey Foundation, The Oprah Winfrey Operating Foundation and
The Angel Network. Apart than these organizations, Oprah has also volunteered with other
charitable organizations. She is also a major supporter of Clinton Foundation that supports
some noble causes like treating AIDS, HIV as well as fighting for climate change (Sean,
2014).
Winfrey has disclosed publicly that she was being raped when she was nine years old.
She faced a lot of challenges in her early life and by using those personal experiences; she
campaigned for supporting groups and helped the survivors of sexual abuse. Her past life did
not stop her from achieving success in the present times. In the year 2000, the talented artist
was being honored with ‘Spingarn Medal’ from NAACP. In addition to this, she was being
awarded ‘Presidential Medal of Freedom, in the year 2013 (Fry, 2013). Along with several
recognitions and awards for her acting and broadcasting career, she also won the hearts of
many people.

2JOURNALISM
Presently, Oprah Winfrey is the most influential woman of the world, who is an
activist for the children’s rights. In the year 2017, she announced that she would be joining
the newsmagazine 60 minutes, being the special contributor (Harris & Watson, 2015). All
through her young age, she was a victim of poverty, malnourishment, sexual abuse and what
not. However, all these hardships has enabled in shaping what she is today. Today, she is
planning to return to her roots of journalism in a major way. The TV icon, who has faced so
much, is now the most influential woman of the world.
Interview Questions
a) We all know how much you had to face in your young age. Well, what are those
things which you have learned about yourself, since the time you became the most
influential woman of this world?
b) What things in your life is still a mystery for you?
c) Do you want to advice anything to your younger self?
d) What are those things in your life, you would like to give up, in order to become more
successful or to be in a better place?
e) What are the things you have learned about your life and human condition? Do you
want to throw some light on how to become successful?
f) Supposedly, you are God for a day; would you like to make any changes to the world?

3JOURNALISM
References
Fry, E. (2013). A Childhood Biography of Oprah Winfrey.
Harris, J., & Watson, E. (Eds.). (2015). The Oprah Phenomenon. University Press of
Kentucky.
Oprah.com. (2018). Retrieved 2 May 2018, from http://www.oprah.com/index.html
Sean, P. (2014). Oprah Winfrey—Biography. IMDb. Accessed June, 25.