Amna Nawaz: A Trailblazing Journey in Broadcast Journalism

Amna Nawaz stands as a prominent figure in contemporary broadcast journalism. As a co-anchor of PBS NewsHour, she brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective to the forefront of American news. Her journey is marked by significant achievements and a commitment to informing the public with integrity and depth.

Early Life and Education

Born and raised in Virginia, Amna Nawaz is the first-generation American daughter of Pakistani immigrants. This background has profoundly influenced her perspective and approach to journalism. She earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Pennsylvania, where she not only excelled academically but also captained the varsity field hockey team and broadened her horizons through study abroad at the University of Zimbabwe. Nawaz furthered her education with a master's degree from the London School of Economics.

Early Career and Groundbreaking Achievements

Nawaz's career is filled with groundbreaking achievements. She holds a trio of firsts: the first Muslim, Pakistani-American, and first-generation American person to hold the anchor seat at NewsHour. Throughout her career, she has often found herself labeled as "the first," a testament to the progress made in the industry while also highlighting the work that remains to be done.

Before joining PBS NewsHour in April 2018, Nawaz was an anchor and correspondent at ABC News, leading breaking news coverage and the network’s livestream coverage of the 2016 presidential election. Prior to that, she served as a foreign correspondent and Islamabad bureau chief at NBC News. In 2014, she founded and managed NBC’s Asian America platform, dedicated to elevating stories from America’s fastest-growing and most diverse population.

Joining PBS NewsHour

Since joining PBS NewsHour in 2018, Nawaz has served as the program's primary substitute anchor and chief correspondent. Her reporting has spanned a wide range of critical issues, including politics, immigration, foreign affairs, education, gun violence, criminal justice reform, climate, culture, and sports. She has reported from the White House, across the country, and around the world, covering major events such as the January 6th insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, and the elections and inaugurations of Presidents Joe Biden, Donald Trump, and Barack Obama.

Nawaz has interviewed numerous heads of state and international leaders, including Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, as well as key U.S. officials like Secretary of State Antony Blinken, DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, and House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi.

Commitment to In-Depth Reporting

Nawaz is known for her commitment to in-depth reporting and her ability to provide thoughtful analysis of complex issues. She emphasizes the importance of telling stories that reflect the diverse experiences of the American population. As she stated, "I bring my whole self to this work… I know I occupy a unique experience in America - but in many ways, it’s really not at all unique." She believes that every journalist brings their lived experiences to their work, influencing their perspective and approach to storytelling.

Addressing Challenges in Journalism

Nawaz is acutely aware of the challenges facing American journalism today, particularly the spread of misinformation and disinformation. She believes that the answer to bad information is more good journalism. At PBS NewsHour, she and her colleagues prioritize facts and strive to counter false or misleading information with accurate reporting and analysis. She recognizes the importance of pointing out when a lie is spoken and countering it with facts based on reporting and analysis.

Another challenge Nawaz identifies is the sheer number of important stories that need to be told. She appreciates the opportunity to provide more in-depth coverage on PBS NewsHour, with segments that are often longer and more thoughtful than those found on other evening broadcasts. Prioritizing the most important stories for their audience remains a daily challenge.

Innovating to Reach Younger Audiences

Nawaz recognizes the need to meet audiences where they are, which means showing up on social media feeds, making broadcast segments accessible on various platforms, and offering live streams where viewers can interact with experts. She believes that by feeding credible content everywhere it can go, the good stuff will rise to the top.

Recognizing and Addressing Post-Traumatic Stress

Having witnessed unspeakable tragedies throughout her career, Nawaz emphasizes the importance of recognizing and addressing post-traumatic stress among journalists. She acknowledges that early in her career, self-care was not a topic of conversation in the industry. After experiencing a breaking point following the Uvalde shooting, she sought therapy and now encourages young journalists to prioritize their mental health. She hopes to build a generation of journalists who can sustain themselves for the long marathon of their careers.

Countering Bias and Building Trust

Nawaz is committed to countering bias and building trust in journalism. She welcomes feedback from viewers and engages in real discourse about how PBS NewsHour does its work. She believes that journalists need to be more transparent about their processes, share their sources, and be more explicit about how they know what they know. By being genuine and authentic, she believes journalists can continue to build trust with their audience.

Personal Life and Support System

Nawaz is married to Paul Werdel, a journalist. She credits him for his support, particularly his decision to take a step back from his career to become the primary caregiver for their two daughters. Nawaz acknowledges that this decision is a privilege, but also highlights the very real childcare crisis in America. She relies on her parents and sister, who live nearby, as well as babysitters, to help balance her demanding career and family life.

Commencement Address at Johns Hopkins SAIS

Amna Nawaz delivered the commencement address at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) graduation ceremony in Washington, D.C. on May 19, 2025. This invitation underscores her reputation as a respected voice in international affairs and her ability to inspire the next generation of leaders.

Awards and Recognition

Nawaz's contributions to journalism have been recognized with numerous awards and honors. In 2024, she received Diversity Woman Media’s Pioneer Award and the Women’s Foreign Policy Group’s Breaking Barriers in Journalism Award. In 2023, she was named an A100 honoree by Gold House. She also received the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies’ Vision Award and the Muslim Affairs Public Council’s Media Award in 2022.

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