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Mourning Peter Jennings
This is a sad day for those of us who value calm, objective journalism.
The death of ABC anchor Peter Jennings last night was expected but shocking at the same time. In April he had announced on air, in a raspy voice, that he had been diagnosed with lung cancer. He said he was beginning an aggressive chemotheraphy treatment and hoped to return to the air from time to time during his treatment.
But insiders knew his condition was grim, and Jennings, 67, never came back to the anchor desk.
Those of you who have read my occasional analyses of TV news know that I’ve always thought Jennings was far and away the best of the network troika. CBS’s Dan Rather was a fine reporter but an awkward anchor. NBC’s Tom Brokaw was a good reporter and anchor but seemed oddly detached from viewers at times.
Jennings was smart, smooth and controlled. He connected from the mind and the heart. We’ll be hearing about his career all day, and I’m working on an appreciation piece for tomorrow’s newspaper. ABC News has posted a nice obit package, including video clips, which I recommend.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: News coverage
Comments
By C. Lewis
August 9, 2005 08:55 AM | Link to this
As a matter of humanity, I give Peter Jennings' family my sympathy on their loss.
However, please do not call Jennings "objective." He was anything but. He was a left-wing idiologue, and a very pompous man.
CSL
By James Stanley Barr
August 8, 2005 05:48 PM | Link to this
As someone who has been one of those who watched World News Tonight, the passing of Peter Jennings now marks the end of the network evening newscast as a lot of us have known it.
Jennings had one of the most distinctive voices in television...always calm, cool, and collected, regardless of the situation that was on our screens.
Jennings will be sorely missed, and is a one of a kind newsman that can never be replaced.