Robert MacNeil, the creator of the PBS newscast “The MacNeil-Lehrer NewsHour” and co-anchor with his partner Jim Lehrer for two decades, passed away at the age of 93. MacNeil started his career in journalism by covering the Senate Watergate hearings and later began his own news program on PBS, which eventually evolved into the hour-long “MacNeil-Lehrer NewsHour.” The show was known for its unbiased reporting and in-depth coverage of important issues, earning several Emmy and Peabody awards.
MacNeil and Lehrer decided to create their news program in response to the sensationalism and lack of context in network news programs on ABC, CBS, and NBC. They believed in providing viewers with a more balanced and informative news source, free from the pressure to attract ratings or cater to advertisers. MacNeil stepped down from his anchoring duties in 1995 to focus on writing, while Lehrer continued to host the show until 2009. MacNeil’s visit to the show in 2005 marked the 30th anniversary of their newscast, where he reflected on the program’s humble beginnings before the era of cable television.
Aside from his work in television journalism, MacNeil was also a prolific author, with several books to his name, including two memoirs, a best-selling novel, and books on language and communication. He co-created the Emmy-winning series “The Story of English” and contributed to the PBS documentary “Do You Speak American?” In 2007, MacNeil hosted “America at a Crossroads,” a PBS series exploring the challenges facing the United States in the post-9/11 world. He was known for his thoughtful and insightful commentary on the state of the news business and the importance of serious journalism in times of crisis.
Born in Montreal and raised in Halifax, MacNeil began his journalism career with Reuters in London before moving to TV news with NBC in 1960. He covered significant events such as the Civil Rights movement, the assassination of President Kennedy, and the 1964 presidential campaign. MacNeil later transitioned to NBC’s Washington bureau before becoming the New York anchor of the weekend news broadcast. He returned to London to work for the BBC before joining PBS as a senior correspondent, where he teamed up with Lehrer to cover the Senate Watergate hearings in 1973.
Throughout his career, MacNeil remained dedicated to providing viewers with thoughtful and informative news coverage, free from the pressures of commercial network news. His commitment to journalistic integrity and public service was reflected in his work on “The MacNeil-Lehrer NewsHour” and his contributions to the field of television journalism. MacNeil’s legacy lives on in the continued success of the program he helped create and the impact he made on the world of news broadcasting.
