Joseba Andoni Maruri | Staff Writer
Gio Benitez, once a student at Florida International University and former writer for the student’s newspaper formerly known as “The Beacon”, now holds three national and two regional Emmy Awards for his work as a journalist.
Benitez, who co-anchors Good Morning America on Saturdays and Sundays, built a distinguished reputation through investigative reporting on government corruption and public safety concerns.
Covering the Pulse nightclub shooting, the Boston Marathon bombing, and the escape of El Chapo, he is often found at the forefront of major news stories.
At one point you could find him roaming the halls of the FIU campus. As a student, he took broadcasting courses at FIU’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication, which eventually led Benitez down a path of reporting.
In June 2009, a year after graduating, he became the first reporter to film an entire TV story using only an iPhone.
His path to a premier journalism portfolio was formally shaped by a work-study scholarship that turned into a full-time job at WFOR-TV, where Benitez bridged his academic experience with a growing professional curiosity. While there, he covered the 2012 presidential election, the 2010 Haitian earthquake, and the Trayvon Martin case.
In 2013, he joined ABC News, where, through dedication and journalistic integrity, he rose to the title of co-anchor on one of the most-watched news programs in America. He also covers aviation, space, railroads, and the auto industry across all ABC News programs.
Overall, Benitez is yet another inspiring example of an FIU alumnus rising to a position of integral importance to the daily lives of people across the country.
Next time you run into an aspiring reporter shooting footage on an iPhone, keep in mind that you may be in the presence of someone with a future career akin to that of award-winning journalist Gio Benitez.
About Post Author
