A New-Look PBS NewsHour — Weeknights at 7pm on THIRTEEN
This week sees a flurry of changes at The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer — the broadcast program and website are relaunching as the PBS NewsHour. NewsHour anchor Jim Lehrer previews the changes to the program in the video below, and answers questions about what these changes mean to the way NewsHour does business.
 |
 |
| Jim Lehrer | |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
Q. How does the new PBS NewsHour fit into what you and Robert MacNeil originally envisioned?
The goal of “MacNeil Lehrer journalism” has always been to give our audience the news beyond the headlines – more in-depth reporting, thought-provoking analysis, engaging newsmaker interviews and more international news.
We plan to continue that mission, only expand it. Originally, the program was created to supplement the evening network news programs. Now, each week night we will be a key on air and online destination for a deeper dive into the most important news of the day presented in a thoughtful and objective way. Our goal is to be THE source for the best journalism available anywhere, anytime – on line, on air, morning, noon or night.
Q. So, why change? And why change now?
The explosive growth of cable news, the internet and a 24-hour news cycle has led to huge changes in the media industry. Newspapers are going out of business, blogs and talks shows proliferate. Serious news is on the decline. Our change is a coordinated response from The NewsHour and PBS to lead the way in providing Americans with the serious news and information they need. We have both an opportunity and an obligation to respond.
The new program title reflects our expanded mission — to be the hub of public affairs programming on PBS. In addition to our own reporting, the PBS NewsHour will showcase the best reporting in public television both online and on air.
Q. What will viewers see that’s different?
Our correspondents will be more prominent. Each night one of them will co-anchor the program with me. They will also report more, especially from the field.
Plus, we will introduce a new member of the team who will deliver the daily news headlines on the NewsHour broadcast AND provide online news updates throughout the day. This correspondent is just one example of our attempt to create a seamless connection between the web site and the broadcast.
By taking greater advantage of the Online NewsHour web site, we will be more responsive and more versatile. You know, we’re fortunate to have a really talented team of journalists. They have a wealth of knowledge and skills. Our expanded operation means viewers will be able to see more of what they have to offer.
Q. What are your thoughts on new media and technology?
The NewsHour has been available via podcast and on Facebook and Twitter for some time now. But in the end, technology is just a tool to deliver stories. I don’t care if you get your news on TV or on a pink iPod, it’s the information and the story that matters and it’s important that information comes from a source you can trust.
Q. How does The NewsHour fit into the current media environment?
Ironically, by adamantly adhering to our principles, we’ve become more distinct. Now more than ever, The NewsHour is needed as a trusted, independent source of news and civil discourse.
Q. What do you hope to offer new NewsHour viewers? Web site visitors?
In addition to the work of our own talented team of journalists, The NewsHour will feature reporting from PBS’ many award winning public affairs programs like Frontline and NOVA, as well as reporters from local PBS stations around the country. The PBS NewsHour is also collaborating with other trusted media partners: NPR, Climate Central, Global Post, and Time Magazine just to name a few.
The Online NewsHour will have many new features. I mentioned the video news summary. We’re also going to offer viewers more insight into our editorial thinking. Our daily news blog will include discussion of how we plan to cover the top stories that night on the broadcast. And when our correspondents are out in the field, they’ll post video dispatches online, again, to constantly update viewers on the stories they are following, as they happen.
Q. What are you doing outside of The NewsHour?
I love to write; it’s what got me into the news business. But my writing is not limited to news. I also enjoy fiction and make it a habit to write every morning. My 20th novel is due to be published this coming April.
Responses to "PBS NewsHour"
I would resume watching The Newshour if it ever had the courage to present truly alternative views such as those of Noam Chomsky, Howard Zinn, Barbara Ehrenreich, Tariq Ali, Scott Ritter, Glenn Greenwald, Robert Parry, and Greg Palast.
The reasons for expansion sound valid, but, what many of us yearn for is more of Mr. Lehrer’s voice–not less of it.
For more than three decades I’ve gotten most of my news through either PBS or NPR. Without their in-depth and broad coverage of events (that the commercial media overlooks on a regular basis) we’d be less of an informed nation and world.
I must add that I cringe when I see Chevron as a sponsor, along with other “for profit” sponsors whose advertising in support of their environmental agenda has been described as “eco- pornography.”
It’s hard to stay true to PBS’s original core principles, but if there was one change I’d like to see beyond this new format, it would be to drop “for profit” corporate sponsorships that are not socially responsible.
Otherwise, I’m looking forward to tuning in to see what you have in store.
PS: Although I’ve been a loyal viewer, I do heartily agree with Ed about bringing in truly alternative views (add Amy Goodman). In this day and age I think it would only expand your viewership.
Best wishes,
Tim Rochte
I believe that Ms. Ifill is not on the level of the other correspondents mentioned. To have her heavy-handed approach to journalism as a third of the team is a major disappointment to me.
There were periods of time where only she took over Jim Lehrer’s duties, and her reporting was so onerous..that we stopped watching altogether.
The other correspondents are superb–but I believe Gwen Ifill has other opportunities on the station to shine where her talents can be better utilized.
I find the criticism(s) parochial and irrelevant.
There is no other-none- news source that comes close to McNeil-Lehrer, Jim Lehrer. He and his team deserve superlative ratings, and the programs longevity is proof positive. If Tim can find ways to financially replace Chevron, etc., more power to him. For the moment the funding of course is critical.
Keep moving on Jim.
With appreciation.
Cecil Jaffe
With the loss of advertising revenue for so many of our newspapers there are fewer and fewer eyes and ears to pick up the news. We must therefore depend more on the electronic media,and I am delighted to know that PBS is expanding its ability to uncover the news. PBS’s role of a prime and dependable source of objective reporting is more important than ever.
I totally agree with Susan Slater. Jim Lehrer is the best of the best.
I note that The Bill Moyers Journal is coming to an end (for the very understandable reason that Mr. Moyers is retiring) and also that NOW has been cancelled.
Meanwhile, the conservative and not-particularly-insightful NewsHour continues. I have yet to see Mr. Lehrer offer even the faintist hint of a challenge to the conventional wisdom popular within the Washington Beltway or on Wall Street.
This speaks ill of Thirteen’s and PBS’s commitment to solid journalism.
I not big on change; especially when things are just fine the way they are. Most changes I’ve lived with have not been for the better. I wish Jim and the News Hour well. My feelings, however, are don’t fix what’s not broken.
With respect,
Hazel R. Feldman
I totally disagree with the criticism of Gwen Ifill who is a person of intelligence, heart and beauty. My husband and I stop watching whenever Judy Woodruff is hosting. I think she showed a conservative, Republican or McCain prejudice when she covered the elections, asking Democrats the most unnecessarily confrontational questions.
i live in israel and i wish the pbs newhour was on video every evening.
I am a longtime regular viewer of the NewsHour and I must say that I grew irritated with one of your guests on the June 2nd, 2011 show.
Jeff interviewed Stephen Moore, the Club for Growth founder and Wall Street Journal reporter. As I observed it, Stephen Moore repeatedly interrupted Heather Boushey as she was making her comments. In my opinion he was trying to steam-roll over her ideas and to rattle her. I thought that he was acting like a bully. I thought that Heather Boushey wa very coherent and professional.