Legendary News Anchor Robert MacNeil Passes Away At 93

Robert MacNeil, co-founder and co-anchor of the PBS program “The MacNeil-Lehrer NewsHour,” has died.

MacNeil, 93, passed away of natural causes Friday at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, his daughter Alison MacNeil said according to the Associated Press. MacNeil launched the respected newscast in the 1970s with his late partner, Jim Lehrer, and they led the program together for 20 years.

Before his famed collaboration with Lehrer on PBS, MacNeil worked as a correspondent for both NBC and the BBC, covering important historical events such as the American Civil Rights Movement and the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, which he reported on while working for NBC.

“The MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour” debuted in 1975 as “The Robert MacNeil Report” and later became “The MacNeil/Lehrer Report” when Lehrer joined the program. It was groundbreaking in its thoughtful, in-depth approach to news reporting, focusing on substantive coverage rather than sensationalism.

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The program was praised for its balanced reporting and its format, which often included extensive interviews and discussions on a single story, providing a depth of coverage that was uncommon in television news at the time.

In 1983, the program was renamed “The MacNeil-Lehrer NewsHour” when it expanded to become the first hour-long news broadcast in the U.S. Today, the show continues with anchors Geoff Bennett and Amna Nawaz. On Friday, Nawaz expressed her condolences on X, mourning the loss of MacNeil.

We’ve lost a member of our @NewsHour family, and journalism has lost a giant.

My heart is with the family and friends of Robin MacNeil, co-founder and longtime co-anchor of the NewsHour.

His extraordinary legacy lives on in the work we do today. https://t.co/LXyYhQnXBa

— amna (@IAmAmnaNawaz) April 12, 2024

PBS NewsHour co-anchors Geoff Bennett and Amna Nawaz said in a statement, “Robin was one of a kind. With his distinctive voice, he brought stories to life — unraveling complex issues with clarity and compassion. Whether it was through his incisive reporting or his intimate interviews, he possessed a singular ability to connect with people. As we reflect on his many contributions, we honor his memory by continuing to pursue the truth and by fostering connections that bridge divides – just as Robin did with such grace and vigor. We are deeply grateful for the enduring legacy he leaves behind.”

“We don’t need to SELL the news,” MacNeil said in 1983 to the Chicago Tribune. “The networks hype the news to make it seem vital, important. What’s missing (in 22 minutes) is context, sometimes balance, and a consideration of questions that are raised by certain events.”

MacNeil retired from the “NewsHour” in 1995 but continued to contribute to journalism through writing and occasional television appearances. He has also authored several books, both fiction and non-fiction, reflecting his interests in media and storytelling.

“Writing is much more personal. It is not collaborative in the way that television must be,” MacNeil explained to The Associated Press back in 1995. “But when you’re sitting down writing a novel, it’s just you: Here’s what I think, here’s what I want to do. And it’s me.”

His contributions to journalism have been recognized with numerous awards, including Emmys and a Peabody Award. MacNeil’s work, especially in partnership with Lehrer, has had a lasting impact on broadcast journalism, setting standards for integrity and depth in news reporting.