The death of a legendary TV journalist and former press secretary
CNN was informed by Bill Moyers’ family that the 91-year-old former press secretary to President Lyndon B. Johnson, who went on to become a renowned broadcast journalist and ardent advocate for public media, has passed away. According to William Moyers, his son, he died of complications from a protracted illness. Judith Davidson Moyers, his wife of over 71 years, was with him at the time.
In the 1970s and 2000s, Moyers hosted multiple iterations of Bill Moyers’ Journal on PBS, earning him a reputation as a pioneer in the field of public television. He was once referred to as “the conscience” of the nation by Walter Cronkite.
A distinguished American journalist, political analyst, and former White House Press Secretary, Bill Moyers was born in Hugo, Oklahoma, on June 5, 1934, and raised in Texas. He obtained degrees in journalism and theology, demonstrating his lifelong interest in both communication and spirituality. Moyers was known for his profound, reflective approach to public affairs and his dedication to examining the moral and ethical aspects of American life.
In the 1960s, Moyers started his political career working for President Lyndon B. Johnson as a special assistant and later as press secretary.
He was instrumental in furthering Johnson’s “Great Society” policies, such as anti-poverty and civil rights campaigns. Despite his early political work, Moyers went on to establish himself as a prominent personality in American broadcast journalism, leaving a lasting legacy of perceptive documentaries and interviews.
Through shows like Bill Moyers Journal, Now with Bill Moyers, and Moyers on America, which mostly aired on PBS, Moyers established himself as a reliable voice over the course of a multi-decade career.
His work often centered on democracy, media impact, religion, social justice, and the confluence of power and morality. In contrast to many mainstream journalists, Moyers placed a strong emphasis on in-depth interviews and narrative, providing a platform for authors, historians, thinkers, and regular people whose voices were frequently ignored.
Through shows like Bill Moyers Journal, Now with Bill Moyers, and Moyers on America, which mostly aired on PBS, Moyers established himself as a reliable voice over the course of a multi-decade career. His work often centered on democracy, media impact, religion, social justice, and the confluence of power and morality.
In contrast to many mainstream journalists, Moyers placed a strong emphasis on in-depth interviews and narrative, providing a platform for authors, historians, thinkers, and regular people whose voices were frequently ignored.
Moyers was a strong supporter of independent journalism and frequently criticized government corruption and corporate media dominance. He was especially committed to upholding democratic norms and civic participation, and he questioned both right-wing and centrist narratives. Across the political spectrum, he received both acclaim and criticism for his perceptive criticisms of government opacity, economic inequality, and war.
In appreciation of his achievements to journalism and public service, Moyers has been honored with more than 30 Emmy Awards, many Peabody Awards, and multiple honorary degrees. In 2015, he stopped doing regular broadcasts.