About
"It is not a journalist's job to change the world. A journalist's job is to see what's happening in the world and report that to others, who will then change it."
In his nearly three-hour interview, Jim Lehrer (1934-2020) talks about his early years as a newspaper reporter and his transition to broadcast journalist. He describes being in Dallas on the day of President Kennedy's assassination in 1963, recounts asking the Secret Service if the protective bubble would be on the president's car, and ponders how that may have affected the day's events. He talks about becoming a news anchor for PBS in its formative years, and the challenges that came along with it. Lehrer recalls covering the Watergate hearings, where he was first partnered with Robert MacNeil - the man who would act as his co-anchor for several years thereafter. He speaks of NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, aka PBS NewsHour, the groundbreaking and award-winning newscast he first hosted with Robert MacNeil, and later solo. He concludes by discussing how the industry has changed and offers advice to aspiring journalists. Don Carleton conducted the interview on May 21, 2001 in Arlington, VA.
Highlights
Jim Lehrer on covering the assassination of John F. Kennedy
Jim Lehrer on covering the Vietnam War
Jim Lehrer on his favorite memories of NewsHour with Jim Lehrer aka PBS NewsHour
Jim Lehrer on what makes a good interview
Jim Lehrer on advice to aspiring broadcast journalists
Jim Lehrer on NewsHour with Jim Lehrer aka PBS NewsHour competing with the networks
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his early life and influences; on his experience growing up during World War II; on radio programs he enjoyed growing up
On going to work for "The Dallas Morning News"; on meeting his wife; on reporting for "The Times Dallas Herald"
Chapter 2
On covering the assassination of John F. Kennedy; on the JFK Memorial in Dallas
On joining the public television station KERA in Dallas and making the transition from print to television journalism
Chapter 3
On why he moved over to television; on producing the news for KERA; on PBS's VD Blues program
On going to PBS; on drafting a new code of Standards and Practices for PBS news; on teaming up with Robert MacNeil to cover Watergate
Chapter 4
On meeting Robert MacNeil; on interviewing; on covering Vietnam
On the formation of NewsHour with Jim Lehrer aka PBS NewsHour; on expanding the show to an hour; on his and Robert MacNeil's strengths
Chapter 5
On NewsHour with Jim Lehrer aka PBS NewsHour; on the program competing with the networks; on what makes a good interview
On advice to aspiring broadcast journalists; on changes in broadcast journalism since he began; on Robert MacNeil leaving NewsHour with Jim Lehrer aka PBS NewsHour
Shows
PBS NewsHour
Jim Lehrer on the formation of NewsHour with Jim Lehrer aka PBS NewsHour
Jim Lehrer on his and Robert MacNeil's strengths and his audience
Jim Lehrer on his favorite memories of NewsHour with Jim Lehrer aka PBS NewsHour
Jim Lehrer on NewsHour with Jim Lehrer aka PBS NewsHour competing with the networks
Jim Lehrer on the underwriting of NewsHour with Jim Lehrer aka PBS NewsHour
Jim Lehrer on Robert MacNeil leaving NewsHour with Jim Lehrer aka PBS NewsHour
Topics
Advice
Jim Lehrer on advice to aspiring broadcast journalists
Censorship / Standards & Practices
Jim Lehrer on drafting a new code of Standards and Practices for PBS news
Historic Events and Social Change
Jim Lehrer on his experience growing up during World War II
Jim Lehrer on covering the assassination of John F. Kennedy
Jim Lehrer on the JFK Memorial in Dallas
Jim Lehrer on joining up with Robert MacNeil and covering the Watergate hearings
Jim Lehrer on covering the Vietnam War
JFK Assassination and Funeral
Jim Lehrer on covering the assassination of John F. Kennedy
Jim Lehrer on the JFK Memorial in Dallas
John F. Kennedy
Jim Lehrer on covering the assassination of John F. Kennedy
Jim Lehrer on the JFK Memorial in Dallas
Richard M. Nixon
Jim Lehrer on joining up with Robert MacNeil and covering the Watergate hearings
Television and the Presidency
Jim Lehrer on covering the assassination of John F. Kennedy
Jim Lehrer on the JFK Memorial in Dallas
Jim Lehrer on joining up with Robert MacNeil and covering the Watergate hearings
Television Industry
Jim Lehrer on drafting a new code of Standards and Practices for PBS news
Jim Lehrer on advice to aspiring broadcast journalists
Vietnam War
Jim Lehrer on covering the Vietnam War
War
Jim Lehrer on his experience growing up during World War II
Jim Lehrer on covering the Vietnam War
World War II
Jim Lehrer on his experience growing up during World War II
Professions
Anchor
Jim Lehrer on interviewing
Jim Lehrer on what makes a good interview
Jim Lehrer on advice to aspiring broadcast journalists
Journalists & News Producers
Jim Lehrer on interviewing
Jim Lehrer on what makes a good interview
Jim Lehrer on advice to aspiring broadcast journalists
People
Fred Friendly
Jim Lehrer on joining the public television station KERA in Dallas and making the transition from print to television journalism
John F. Kennedy
Jim Lehrer on covering the assassination of John F. Kennedy
Robert MacNeil
Jim Lehrer on joining up with Robert MacNeil and covering the Watergate hearings
Jim Lehrer on his and Robert MacNeil's strengths and his audience
Jim Lehrer on his favorite memories of NewsHour with Jim Lehrer aka PBS NewsHour
Jim Lehrer on Robert MacNeil leaving NewsHour with Jim Lehrer aka PBS NewsHour