Jim Lehrer Passes: Honoring PBS Newshour's Brilliant Journalist

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Discussion Overview

The thread discusses the passing of Jim Lehrer, a prominent journalist known for his work on PBS Newshour. Participants reflect on his contributions to journalism, the evolution of news reporting, and the impact of his style and values on the field. The discussion encompasses personal anecdotes, comparisons to contemporary journalism, and Lehrer’s legacy in promoting equality and modern reporting techniques.

Discussion Character

  • Meta-discussion
  • Historical
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses a personal connection to Jim Lehrer's reporting, highlighting his honesty and intelligence.
  • Another participant critiques the current state of journalism, suggesting that modern reporting lacks the credibility and depth of past journalists like Lehrer and McNeill.
  • A participant reminisces about the sacred view of journalism held by earlier reporters, contrasting it with today's standards.
  • Some participants note that PBS Newshour continues to uphold high standards in journalism even after Lehrer's retirement.
  • One contributor emphasizes Lehrer's dedication to feminism and the promotion of women in journalism, referencing Judy Woodruff's viewpoint.
  • A participant mentions Lehrer's influence on modern news reporting techniques and the importance of access to archived information for informed citizenship.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a shared sense of loss regarding Jim Lehrer's passing and generally agree on his impact on journalism. However, there are differing views on the current state of reporting, with some lamenting its decline while others maintain that PBS Newshour continues to deliver quality journalism.

Contextual Notes

Some statements reflect personal opinions and experiences, which may not represent broader trends in journalism. There are unresolved comparisons between past and present journalistic standards, and varying definitions of what constitutes credible reporting.

Klystron
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Public Broadcasting correspondent Jim Lehrer died today. Here is the obit on the Washington Post. (Apologies if behind a paywall).

Lehrer provided a laid back, honest rendition of world news on PBS Newshour. His gentle persuasive style belied his experience as a US marine corp officer and brilliant presidential debate monitor back when debates exposed candidates' ideas. His novels express a city editor's eye for truth underlying American myths. On a personal note as a war veteran I always felt a strong connection to Jim Lehrer's reporting; his honesty, clarity and obvious intelligence. Jim will be missed.

Edit: Here is his obituary from the New York Times.
 
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Sad to see.

These days, I'm not sure what passes for 'reporter' or 'reporting'. TV news, as weak as it was in the 1990's, is not much more than Facebook these days, and may have less accurate facts.

McNeill/Lehrer were a cut above, and obviously had wide credibility.

Hopefully someone fills the void.
 
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ChemAir said:
These days, I'm not sure what passes for 'reporter' or 'reporting'...

A family friend worked at CBS news back in the 50's through the 70's. Those guys viewed their work as sacred.
 
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ChemAir said:
Sad to see.

These days, I'm not sure what passes for 'reporter' or 'reporting'. TV news, as weak as it was in the 1990's, is not much more than Facebook these days, and may have less accurate facts.

McNeill/Lehrer were a cut above, and obviously had wide credibility.

Hopefully someone fills the void.

The PBS Newshour even after Lehrer's retirement still continues to maintain high standards, so I feel that they will continue to maintain solid work.

In terms of strong news reporting these days, I don't rely on any single news source. I primarily look at the following combination of news online:

1. BBC World News
2. Al Jazeera English
3. PBS Newshour (website)
4. Associated Press website
5. CBC News (for Canadian news)
 
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I had been a long-time viewer of the Newshour during the Lehrer's tenure there (by the time I started the Newshour on PBS, Robert MacNeill had left his position as co-anchor), and have long appreciated his professionalism and the overall quality of the Newshour's news and analysis.

He will be missed.
 
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No obituary of Jim Lehrer would be complete without mentioning his dedication to feminism and promoting women to equal positions. Here is Judy Woodruff's viewpoint, Washington reporter and now anchor at PBS Newshour. The "young reporter with cancer" may refer to her co-anchor Gwen Ifill who passed recently.

For us tech buffs Lehrer and Newshour pioneered many techniques of modern news reporting and online access to archived information he regarded as essential for a well informed citizenry.
 
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