In Memoriam: Edwin Harold Newman, 1912-2010

[thatcrazycajun]

With thanks to debgeisler for passing along the sad news: Edwin Newman, another of the last surviving members of the traditional school of newscasting, died today of pneumonia at 91 in London, England. More on his passing and career can be read here and here. And if you are too young to remember seeing or hearing him, here's a sample of what you missed out on.

A tireless guardian of both journalistic ethics and the English language, Newman was one of the defining faces and voices of NBC News along with the late David Brinkley, John Chancellor and Irving R. Levine. Those of us who value the practice of old-fashioned journalism—a practice mostly abandoned by today's news media, sadly including Newman's old network—will miss him terribly. My heart, thoughts and prayers go out to his wife and daughter, the rest of his family, friends and colleagues in this most difficult hour.

Comments

[acelightning.livejournal.com]

[mshollie.livejournal.com]

Actually, there is some good journalism still around these days. Unfortunately for some, it's only in Spanish.

I've read articles about how Spanish language newscasts contain more substance than their English "fluff" counterparts. And yes, I do watch Spanish newscasts to catch up on the news. Surprisingly, I understand most of what's being said.

Still, I will miss Mr. Newman and his journalism. Say hello to "Uncle Walter" and Huntley and Brinkley (yes, I'm old enough to remember them) for me.

[acelightning.livejournal.com]

[sffilk.livejournal.com]

You are correct about the fact that "journalists" today don't practice journalism as it should be (if at all).

[sodyera.livejournal.com]

All the great classic news reporters are leaving the building, to be replaced by... what?