Spring 2025 Fellow
Betsy Fischer Martin is an Emmy-winning journalist and former TV news executive. She serves as the Executive Director of the Women & Politics Institute at American University and is a faculty member in the university’s Department of Government, where she teaches courses on campaigns, elections, and the media. In the fall of 2023, she also served as a Resident Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School’s Institute of Politics.
During her television news career, she spent 23 years at NBC News, advancing from an intern to Executive Producer of Meet the Press in less than a decade. In this role, she produced hundreds of newsmaking interviews with U.S. presidents, congressional leaders, political candidates, and heads of state. In 2013, she became the Managing Editor of NBC News Political Programming, contributing to political coverage for NBC Nightly News and the Today Show.
Fischer Martin worked closely with the late Tim Russert for 17 years, producing his headline-making interviews for Meet the Press. She also served as his producer for NBC’s coverage of special events and four presidential elections, including the historic 2000 election night and the subsequent recount.
During the 2016 presidential campaign cycle, she was a contributor to Bloomberg Politics, where she co-hosted Masters in Politics, a political podcast featuring interviews with presidential candidates, government officials, and key strategists. She also served as the Contributing Editor for Washington at MORE magazine, where she interviewed female political leaders about policy issues, women’s empowerment, and leadership.
She has received numerous awards for her work at NBC, including three News and Documentary Emmys, the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Political Journalism, and a Gracie Award from American Women in Radio and Television. In her role as a U.S. politics expert, she has provided on-air analysis for various television networks, including CBS News, MSNBC, NBC News, CNN, and the BBC.
She serves on the Global Board of Directors for the International Women’s Forum, is a life member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and is an alumna of the Young Global Leaders program at the World Economic Forum.
A native of New Orleans, Fischer Martin completed her undergraduate and graduate studies at American University in Washington, D.C. She graduated cum laude from the School of Public Affairs and earned a master’s degree in Broadcast Journalism from the AU School of Communication.
Study Group: Politics in the Television Age and Beyond
We explored significant aspects of television in American society, including how television news has affected and continues to affect the presidency, Congress, and political campaigns. Students developed an understanding of the role of the media in providing information about political, economic, and social institutions, and evolving trends in political reporting and newsgathering techniques. We examined how political figures have sought to use television—and emerging media—to influence public opinion and political outcomes. Students became more informed viewers of television news and develop a deeper understanding of the complexities of the press-politician relationship and explored “biases” that can exist in political reporting.
Spring 2025 Semester Recap
Betsy Fischer Martin said this about her experience at USC’s Center for the Political Future: “The highlight of my time as a CPF Fellow was working with such smart, curious, and engaged students. In a moment of so much political noise and complexity, it felt meaningful to help them think about how they want to show up – whether in politics, public service, or journalism. I loved seeing them dive into conversations with our guest speakers, asking thoughtful questions and pushing the dialogue forward. Our own discussions were equally energizing, and I tried to create space for them to test ideas and build confidence in their own voice. It was a privilege to be part of their USC journey.”
USC students in Betsy’s study group shared this about their experience:
“I gained invaluable insight into the television and journalism industry in Betsy Fischer Martin’s study group. Hearing from incredibly accomplished individuals in the industry allowed me to become better informed on the dynamics of journalism and DC, and recognize the possibilities of networking to gain any kind of role in leadership. Martin was especially warm to myself and the other Fellows. She was more than willing to answer any questions we had about her career and personal life, and has become an exceptional personal contact. My favorite part was hearing about the behind the scenes of NBC’s Meet The Press from Martin.”
Kaycee Kaithula, Business Administration (International Relations)
“This study group deepened my understanding of how the media doesn’t just reflect politics—it shapes it. I learned how television, social media, and emerging platforms influence public perception and political outcomes, sometimes more than the policies themselves. My favorite part was hearing directly from seasoned journalists and media experts! It made me think critically about who controls the narrative, and why that matters in a democracy.”
Michelle Johnson, Political Economy
“I learned about the personal experience of being a journalist. It’s important to learn about the practical and logistical elements of a career, but I realized that the personal elements are just as important. I loved hearing about the experiences of driving a van into the L.A. wildfires and playing Wii with Obama on the campaign trail. I was especially moved to hear about how journalism connects people and creates genuine friendships, not just with other journalists but with the people whose stories you tell. This study group and everything Betsy said about her career led me to develop an interest in pursuing journalism.”
Betsy shared her thoughts on the importance of politics, her first political experience, her advice for having respectful political discourse, and what she appreciates about CPF in her “Quick Takes: Q&A with CPF Fellow Betsy Fischer Martin” video.