In 1998, Smith turned to public television, founding and leading the media unit at the NewsHour with Jim Lehrer. As senior producer and media correspondent, Smith broadcast 110 in-depth tape reports and anchored some 250 studio discussions on media issues. In the course of seven years, Smith and his unit won 18 national awards and honors for media criticism and analysis. He is now a special correspondent for the NewsHour.

In the fall of 2005, the media unit grant ended, and Smith opted to become a freelance writer and essayist for a number of news organizations.

More information about Terence Smith can be found at his website.