A look at 50 years of the News Hour

Geoff Bennett:

Finally tonight, we have been marking a milestone this week, the 50th anniversary of the "PBS News Hour."

Before we go, we have a look back at our beginnings and at how the "News Hour" has evolved over five decades, while remaining true to the principles that defined this program from the start.

So I will say good night for now and hand things over to Stephanie Sy, who brings us the highlights from the past 50 years.

Man:

Challenger, go with throttle up.

Man:

Challenger, go with throttle up.

Robert MacNeil, Former Anchor, "PBS NewsHour": At 11:39 a.m. Eastern time, disaster struck America's manned space program. A minute after launch, the space shuttle Challenger blew up.

Jim Lehrer, Former Anchor, "PBS NewsHour": Another day of infamy for the United States of America.

Stephanie Sy:

In covering the biggest stories of the last five decades, "PBS News Hour" has sought to bring depth, insight and fairness.

Lisa Desjardins:

Judy, there are protesters. Protesters have now broken into the U.S. Capitol.

Stephanie Sy:

This continues to be a dangerous situation. Almost everyone has either evacuated or lost a home in this fire.

And around the world.

Nick Schifrin:

This is the impact site for one of those Iranian ballistic missiles. And if you see the size of this crater, that's about 30 feet deep and maybe 50 feet wide.

Amna Nawaz:

Russia right now has you outmanned, outgunned, and they believe they can outlast you and Western attention. Is it time to think about negotiating a settlement?

Stephanie Sy:

The "News Hour"'s origins date back to 1973, when Robert MacNeil and Jim Lehrer were paired to cover more than 250 hours of the Watergate hearings for public television.

Robert MacNeil:

How high do the scandals reach, and was President Nixon himself involved?

Stephanie Sy:

That led to the first version of the program in 1975, known initially as "The Robert MacNeil Report," and soon thereafter "The MacNeil/Lehrer Report," at that time a half-hour dedicated to a single-subject.

In 2000, Robin MacNeil described the approach the show's founders brought to news.

Robert MacNeil:

Fundamental fairness and objectivity, and also the idea that the American public is smarter than they are often given credit for on television. How could we add kind of respect for complexity to the news that was already there?

Stephanie Sy:

The program became known for its expert analysis and in-depth interviews.

Jim Lehrer:

We're going to get off of this in a moment, I promise you, but I have got to pursue one particular — one other…

Margaret Thatcher, Former British Prime Minister:

You may go on pursuing. We will have lots of questions, and my answer won't change.

Jim Lehrer:

Well, what about Cuba specifically?

Stephanie Sy:

In 1983, the program expanded to a full hour, making it the first hour-long national news program. Its ambitions grew as well, and it added correspondents reporting from around the country on a wide range of subjects. Probing interviews with world leaders were another hallmark of the program.

Jim Lehrer:

Mr. Shamir says that the problem is lack of trust. He doesn't trust you don't trust him.

Yasser Arafat, Former President, Palestinian Authority:

Definitely, we are enemies. Now we are enemies. But with whom I am going to make peace? With my friends? With my enemies.

Mark Shields, Former "PBS News Hour" Analyst: Let me tell you where David is wrong in this one instance. It's the first time tonight.

Stephanie Sy:

From its earliest days, the show's emphasis on politics was part of its appeal, including the civil tone of its weekly chats, which has continued throughout and even expanded. The show has spanned nine American presidencies and three impeachments.

Jim Lehrer:

The news of this day is that Kenneth Starr, the independent counsel, is investigating allegations that you suborned perjury.

Judy Woodruff:

And the headline was here we are 20 years into George Bush's public career, and we're still asking the question, who is he?

George H.W. Bush, Former President of the United States: I haven't been too good about talking about it, Judy, and maybe that's one of my — that's partially my fault, I think.

Gwen Ifill, Former "PBS News Hour" Anchor: Assad says the U.S. is lying about his possession, or, if not his possession, his use of chemical weapons.

Barack Obama, Former President of the United States: Well, I think that Mr. Assad has been making claims that proved to be untrue for quite some time.

Stephanie Sy:

Each night, the "News Hour" featured substantial reports from the field.

Fred de Sam Lazaro:

Less than a week ago, this was a neighborhood of some of the sturdiest, stateliest oceanfront homes in Biloxi, homes that had withstood hurricanes for well over a century.

Stephanie Sy:

Including a level of international coverage that went beyond most nightly newscasts and cable.

Reporter:

Meanwhile, after Mr. Mandela spoke, it just seemed as if people came out of nowhere. Black South Africans have poured into the streets in the thousands.

Stephanie Sy:

Over the years, the programs received its share of criticism, accused of being too dry, too serious, and trying to be even-handed to a fault. But millions of viewers have remained loyal to the program and its purpose, coming back for thoughtful coverage of a range of issues.

Over the years, it's left space for artists and cultural moments that enhance our world, singers and songwriters, novelists and authors, actors and filmmakers, many of them among the all-time greats.

Bruce Springsteen, Musician:

There's always a debate about whether, is that you in the song, is it not you in the song?

Jeffrey Brown:

What's the answer?

Bruce Springsteen:

If you have written really well, people will swear that it happened to you.

Stephanie Sy:

While the program has always aimed for objective, fact-based journalism, it's had room for the offbeat and for surprising moments too.

Paul Solman:

But I'm afraid that human beings may not be capable of protecting themselves from the risks of A.I.

A.I. Voice:

That dread is profound.

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT):

The American people are growing extremely unhappy with establishment politics, with establishment economics, and you know what else?

Gwen Ifill:

what?

Sen. Bernie Sanders:

Even with establishment media.

Gwen Ifill:

No.

Sen. Bernie Sanders:

Yes.

Stephanie Sy:

The program also made history of its own in 2013, when Gwen Ifill and Judy Woodruff became the first all-female anchor team for a network news broadcast.

Judy Woodruff:

On this, the first night of the new "PBS News Hour," we have a lot of news for you.

Gwen Ifill:

We also have a new look, but Judy and I will be bringing you the news and analysis you have come to trust.

Announcer:

This is "PBS News Hour" Weekend."

Stephanie Sy:

That same year, it expanded to the weekends, a half-hour program now produced at "News Hour"'s headquarters.

John Yang:

With support from Democrats eroding by the day, President Biden says he's dropping out of the presidential race.

Stephanie Sy:

Our corps of correspondents has changed as well over these many years, covering international crises, at least a dozen wars.

Reporter:

As the bombs began to fall, these people fled to the capital, Sanaa.

Stephanie Sy:

Devastating attacks in the U.S., including the Oklahoma City bombing.

Jim Lehrer:

Much of the nine-story office building was destroyed.

Stephanie Sy:

And disasters, including the flooding of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.

Reporter:

Katrina takes its place among the strongest hurricanes to ever hit the United States and the fiercest in more than a decade.

Stephanie Sy:

And, increasingly, the effects of climate change.

William Brangham:

Part of the reason Antarctica's glaciers are threatened is that they have been losing some crucial protection.

Stephanie Sy:

The program has tried to help explain what was behind events like the 2008 financial crisis.

Paul Solman:

The basic point is, the debts can proliferate, and they did.

Stephanie Sy:

All the time focusing on the impact of events and policies on people.

Protester:

I should not have to fear leaving my house and not being able to breathe or my mom calling me crying because I'm protesting for my rights because she is scared I won't come back home.

Stephanie Sy:

In 2020, the "News Hour" team worked to help viewers navigate and understand a global story unlike any we had known, the pandemic.

Judy Woodruff:

It's understandable we want to keep our families and ourselves safe, but it's also worth remembering that this is a time for the lucky healthy ones to think of others.

Stephanie Sy:

Hundreds of producers, editors, graphic artists, technicians and other staffers have made the program what it is. Since the show moved to an hour-long format, it's been led by just three executive producers.The late Les Crystal, and then Linda Winslow were guiding forces in the crucial years of the show's expansion. And the current senior executive producer, Sara Just, has been at the helm for 11 years.

As many viewers have moved online, we have met them where they are, adding a team devoted to digital platforms. The "News Hour" now has five million subscribers on YouTube and millions more on TikTok, Facebook and other online channels.

Amna Nawaz:

Good evening, and welcome. I'm Amna Nawaz.

Geoff Bennett:

And I'm Geoff Bennett.

Stephanie Sy:

Its latest evolution occurred in 2023, when "News Hour" returned to a dual anchor format with Amna Nawaz and Geoff Bennett, presenting from the studio…

Geoff Bennett:

Our lead story tonight is Ukraine.

Stephanie Sy:

… and reporting from the field.

Geoff Bennett:

Residents here still have questions about whether the air and water are safe and about the company's commitment to address the long-term consequences of the derailment and spill.

Amna Nawaz:

Look, just 600 kids went to this school. This is a town where everyone knows everyone. Even if they weren't personally impacted, people know these kids' families.

Donald Trump, President of the United States: America first.

Stephanie Sy:

The Trump era has ushered in unprecedented changes and dramatic stories, and it's presented unique challenges, as public broadcasting itself is in the bullseye, its federal funding cut.

But even as the programs look and the journalists in front of and behind the camera have changed, the commitment remains the same, as Geoff and Amna recently reminded viewers.

Geoff Bennett:

Your belief in the power of public broadcasting helps sustain our work and your loyalty, especially now, fuels it, and we are profoundly grateful.

Amna Nawaz:

And we will continue our work as journalists without fear or favor.

Stephanie Sy:

A mission still unshaken 50 years since Robert MacNeil co-founded this program and made a promise to our viewers.

Robert MacNeil:

Thank you for understanding what we do. You will find all the same values there on Monday night and in the years ahead. Thanks, and good night.