PBS held its annual Memorial Day concert this weekend, but the event was overshadowed by the news of the passing of longtime PBS anchor Robert MacNeil. MacNeil, who co-founded what is now known as “PBS NewsHour,” died at the age of 93.
MacNeil’s daughter, Alison MacNeil, confirmed his passing on Friday at a Manhattan hospital. His colleagues at PBS NewsHour, Geoff Bennett and Amna Nawaz, paid tribute to him, saying, “Robin was one of a kind. With his distinctive voice, he brought stories to life — unraveling complex issues with clarity and compassion.”
MacNeil’s career in journalism spanned decades, starting as a writer for Reuters in the 1950s and later becoming a foreign correspondent for NBC News. He covered significant events such as the construction of the Berlin Wall and the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
In 1975, MacNeil co-launched what became “PBS NewsHour” alongside Jim Lehrer. The program started as a 30-minute time slot and expanded to an hour-long news broadcast in 1983. MacNeil retired as co-anchor and executive editor in 1995, leaving behind a legacy of reputable and straightforward reporting.
Throughout his career, MacNeil covered American and European politics, hosted the “Washington Week in Review” for PBS, and received an Emmy Award for his coverage of the Watergate hearings. He was also a prolific author, writing books about his career in journalism post-retirement.
Paula Kerger, president and CEO of PBS, paid tribute to MacNeil, saying, “Robin’s passing marks the end of an era for PBS, and is a tremendous loss for our country.” She praised his work with Jim Lehrer during the Watergate hearings and highlighted their focus on facts and important issues of the day.
As PBS mourns the loss of a journalism icon, they also honor his life and work by continuing to build on his legacy of excellence in news programming.
