Atlanta journalist Dale Russell on his investigative approach across 40-year career

July 11th, 2023

Dale Russell, the retired senior I-Team reporter for Fox 5 Atlanta, joins "Closer Look" to talk about his 40-year career as one of Atlanta's most respected investigative journalists, covering major stories such as the Atlanta child murders and the Centennial Olympic Park bombing. (LaShawn Hudson/WABE)

Dale Russell, the now-retired senior I-Team reporter for Fox 5 Atlanta, has watched and reported on the evolution of Atlanta over the past four decades.

The veteran journalist, who launched his career covering the Atlanta child murders and ended with an investigative report looking back at the trial of the convicted murderer Wanye Williams says he was taught to tell stories through a fair and balanced lens.

Russell, who has earned at least 20 Emmy Awards and a Peabody Award, has spent the last 40 years covering some of Atlanta’s top news stories. He says he initially wanted to be a sports journalist, but found his niche in news.

“You have to tell a story, and you have to be fair and balanced and as close to the truth as you can get, because truth is difficult,” explained Russell on Tuesday’s edition of “Closer Look.”

During the conversation, Russell talked with show host Rose Scott about the power of great mentorship, having a backstage pass to history and his inquisitive approach to investigative journalism.

“At some point in that process I realized that I have to just be myself,” said Russell. “And the way that I treat people with respect, no matter who they are.”

Russell further explained that one of his personality traits is to avoid conflict, and he first thought he wasn’t cut out to be an investigative journalist.

“I didn’t think I was fit for this because of that personality trait, but over time, I think it actually helped me,” said Russell.