Phone: 615-248-5277
Email: sandy.boonstra@newschannel5.com
What is your job?
As News Director, I oversee our newscasts. I am responsible for the editorial decisions that result in what people see on our news. I am also ultimately responsible for their accuracy and fairness. We produce news on other platforms (NewsChannel 5+, NewsChannel5.com, Facebook, Twitter, etc.). I play a role in how we produce that content as well. I also oversee our news strategy and hiring.
When did you start working here?
I started working at NewsChannel 5 in 1990. I started as a producer and have held several different positions in the past 30 years. I became the news director in 2008.
Where else have you worked?
Prior to coming to Nashville I worked at television stations in Detroit (WXYZ) and Flint, Michigan (WJRT).
Where did you go to college?
I graduated college from the University of Michigan.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Flint, Michigan.
What are some of the biggest news stories you have covered or led coverage of?
I have been working in news for several decades and have been a part of covering many significant events. Some of the biggest were Nashville natural disasters, including the March 2020 tornado, the 1998 tornado, and the 2010 flood. Like everyone, 9/11 is a day I will never forget. And because Nashville is so close to Ft. Campbell, coverage of the Gulf, Iraq and Afghanistan Wars became personal. I've also been a part of several Presidential elections, including the Gore/Bush race in 2000, which had direct Nashville ties and one of the closest elections in U.S. history. And of course, Covid-19.
What is your philosophy on news?
As journalists we have several responsibilities. It's our job to keep our viewers and readers informed. It's our job to ask tough questions of those in power. And it's our job to give a voice to those without one. We not only report on our communities we are a part of them. We believe in active stewardship. We have a responsibility to give back and contribute to our communities. And through both our journalism and our outreach we strive to make our city better.
What do you love about living here?
Nashville has been home for 30 years. I love the city. It's the best biggest, small town! Even as Nashville booms, it seems you always run into someone you know at the grocery store. I love the blend of Southern charm and our big city skyline. You'll never run out of new restaurants to try, music to hear, or parks to visit. It's been a wonderful city to raise a family.
