From Judy Woodruff: Longtime PBS NewsHour Anchor and Co-Founder Jim Lehrer Has Passed Away at 85
Source: PBS News Hour
Washington, DC (January 23, 2020) It is with great sadness that I share the news that co-founder and longtime anchor of the PBS NewsHour Jim Lehrer died today, Thursday, January 23, 2020, peacefully in his sleep at home. Lehrer, born May 19, 1934, served as anchor of the NewsHour for 36 years before retiring in 2011. Lehrer and Robert MacNeil founded the program in 1975, out of their 1973 coverage of the Senate Watergate Hearings on PBS.
Im heartbroken at the loss of someone who was central to my professional life, a mentor to me and someone whose friendship Ive cherished for decades, said Judy Woodruff, anchor and managing editor of the PBS NewsHour. Ive looked up to him as the standard for fair, probing and thoughtful journalism and I know countless others who feel the same way.
Sharon Percy Rockefeller, president and CEO of WETA, added, We at WETA are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our longtime friend and colleague Jim Lehrer, one of Americas most distinguished journalists and a true champion of excellence in reporting. Jim set the gold standard for broadcast journalism in our nation and devoted his life to a vital public service ― keeping Americans informed and thereby strengthening our civil society. Through his extraordinary insight, integrity, balance and discipline, Jim earned the trust of the American people, and his important legacy lives on at PBS NewsHour.
PBS President Paula Kerger also added, On behalf of all of us at PBS, we are deeply saddened to learn of Jim Lehrers passing. From co-creating the groundbreaking MacNeil/Lehrer Report to skillfully moderating many presidential debates, Jim exemplified excellence in journalism throughout his extraordinary career. A true giant in news and public affairs, he leaves behind an incredible legacy that serves as an inspiration to us all. He will be missed.
As anchor of PBSs flagship news program, Lehrer interviewed numerous leading figures including Margaret Thatcher and Yasser Arafat in the 1980s, South Korean President Kim Daejung and Chinese leader Jiang Zemin in the 1990s, and Jordans King Abdullah and Afghan President Hamid Karzai in the 2000s.
Lehrer moderated a total of 12 president debates, more than any other person in U.S. history, including all of the presidential debates in 1996 and 2000.
He is the author of 20 novels, three memoirs, and several plays and earned dozens of journalism awards and honorary degrees. He received the National Humanities Medal from President Clinton, was elected a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and alongside MacNeil, was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame.
Prior to his long career at the NewsHour, Lehrer reported Dallas public television station KERA, the National Public Affairs Center for Television, the Dallas Morning News and the Dallas Times-Herald.
Lehrer attended Victoria College in Texas and later studied journalism at the University of Missouri. He served three years as an infantry officer in the U.S. Marine Corps.
He is survived by his wife Kate; three daughters Jamie, Lucy, and Amanda; and six grandchildren.
Read more: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/press-releases/from-judy-woodruff-longtime-pbs-newshour-anchor-and-co-founder-jim-lehrer-has-passed-away
TygrBright
(20,762 posts)mahatmakanejeeves
(57,512 posts)I don't mean that he was a fan of big buses, but that he was quite the bus enthusiast.
2naSalit
(86,650 posts)I recall him showing his badge on one of the broadcasts or a some special that aired about him. He said he drove Greyhound type buses back when your license was a badge you wore on your hat.
Being a professional driver of large vehicles at the time, I was duly impressed and never forgot.
Truly he was a gentle giant, I'll never forget him.
DinahMoeHum
(21,795 posts)I've watched The MacNeil-Lehrer News Hour on PBS for Lord knows how many years.
2naSalit
(86,650 posts)He and Robin McNeil set the standard for PBS news and journalism in many ways.
Hekate
(90,716 posts)sakabatou
(42,159 posts)Mickju
(1,803 posts)I also remember Lehrer from back then. When I was a senior in high school I won first place in the Solo and Ensemble competition playing a Vivaldi Concerto for 2 violins with a Japanese exchange student. We were invited to perform it live on KERA. Of course it had to be live since there was no videotape. I remember that Lehrer was there in the studio at the time. This would have been in 1962. I always admired him. Hearing of his death brought all that back to me.