Bernard Shaw, the original chief anchor of CNN, passed away on Thursday at the age of 82.
When the major news network debuted in Atlanta in 1980, Shaw was named its chief anchor. Over the following two decades, he created an award-winning career in broadcast journalism that took him all over the world to cover politics and violence.
Shaw’s role as moderator of a discussion between Michael Dukakis and George H.W. Bush in the 1988 presidential election cycle stands out as one of his most notable professional moments.
If his wife Kitty were to be “raped and murdered,” Shaw questioned then-Gov. Dukakis about his stance on the death penalty.
Shaw became known for posing challenging questions after Dukakis’ book-smart but emotionless response destroyed his candidacy.
Shaw is a member of the group referred to as “The Baghdad Boys” since he memorably covered the commencement of the Persian Gulf War in 1991 from a hotel room in Iraq as the battle began.
In May 1989, just days before the tragedy that followed the student protests, he again conducted a live broadcast from Tiananmen Square in China.
He developed into a dependable anchor throughout the course of his career who could convey significant news with gravitas and a cool demeanour.
Chris Licht, who was recently named as CNN’s chairman and CEO, praised the late reporter, saying: “Bernie was a CNN original and was our Washington Anchor when we started on June 1st, 1980.”
‘Even after he left CNN, Bernie remained a close member of our CNN family, giving our viewers information about historic events as recently as last year,’ he continued.
Shaw was enshrined in the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame in 1999. 2001 saw his departure from CNN.
