John F. Stossel (born 6 March 1947) is a consumer reporter, author and co-anchor for the ABC News show 20/20. Stossel began his journalism career as a researcher for KGW-TV and later became a consumer reporter at WCBS-TV in New York City before joining ABC News as consumer editor and reporter on Good Morning America. Stossel went on to be an ABC News correspondent, joining the weekly news magazine program 20/20. In his decades as a reporter, Stossel has received numerous honors and awards. Stossel has also written two books entitled Give Me a Break and Myths, Lies, and Downright Stupidity.
Stossel practices advocacy journalism where he often challenges "conventional wisdom". His reports, a blend of commentary and reporting, reflect a roughly libertarian political philosophy and his views on economics are largely supportive of the free market . This makes him a "contrarian" in American media; as such, he has a reputation for conflict with many groups, often politically liberal ones.
Is a 1969 graduate of Princeton University, with a BA in psychology.
Has won 19 Emmy awards and has been honored five times for excellence in consumer reporting by the National Press Club.
Began his career as a researcher at KGW-TV in Portland, Oregon.
When doing a report on wrestling in 1985, Stossel was interviewing Dr. D David Shultz. Stossel came right out and told Shultz that he thought wrestling was fake. Shultz slapped him in the ear twice, causing Stossel to walk away. He claimed Shultz gave him massive ear trauma and decided to sue the World Wrestling Federation. In the end, the WWF succumbed to the pressure, and Stossel won a huge settlement.
Overcame a stuttering problem to become a reporter.
He has an older brother named Tom who is a doctor.
