Bernard Shaw, the first head of CNN, passes away at age 82 from pneumonia.


Shaw became the chief anchor of the major news network in 1980 when it launched in Atlanta, and for the next two-decades he built an award-winning career in broadcast journalism that saw him traverse the globe covering politics and conflict.

One especially memorable career moment arrived during the 1988 presidential campaign cycle when Shaw moderated a debate between George H.W. Bush and Michael Dukakis.

Shaw asked then-Gov. Dukakis whether he would change his position on the death penalty if his wife Kitty were to be ‘raped and murdered.’

Dukakis’ book-smart but unemotional answer helped tank his campaign and establish Shaw’s reputation for asking difficult questions.

Bernard Shaw, CNN's first chief anchor, died Thursday at 82

Bernard Shaw, CNN's first chief anchor, died Thursday at 82

Bernard Shaw, CNN’s first chief anchor, died Thursday at 82

Shaw became known as one of the 'Boys of Baghdad,' a group of reporters who documented the beginning of the Persian Gulf War in 1991 from an Iraqi hotel room

Shaw became known as one of the 'Boys of Baghdad,' a group of reporters who documented the beginning of the Persian Gulf War in 1991 from an Iraqi hotel room

Shaw became known as one of the ‘Boys of Baghdad,’ a group of reporters who documented the beginning of the Persian Gulf War in 1991 from an Iraqi hotel room

Shaw in 2001 (the year he officially retired) in CNN's DC bureau office

Shaw in 2001 (the year he officially retired) in CNN's DC bureau office

Shaw in 2001 (the year he officially retired) in CNN’s DC bureau office

Shaw famously reported the beginning of the Persian Gulf War in 1991 from a hotel room in Iraq as the fighting started, earning him membership in the group known as ‘The Baghdad Boys.’

He also broadcast live from Tiananmen Square in China in May of 1989, days before the massacre that followed the student protests occurred.

Over the course of his career he became a trusted anchor who was able to deliver important story with gravitas and an air of calm about him.

CNN’s freshly appointed chairman and CEO, Chris Licht, said of the late reporter: ‘Bernie was a CNN original and was our Washington Anchor when we launched on June 1st, 1980.’

‘Even after he left CNN, Bernie remained a close member of our CNN family providing our viewers with context about historic events as recently as last year,’ he added.

In 1999 Shaw was inducted into the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame. He retired from CNN in 2001.

Shaw moderates the 2000 vice-presidential debate between Dick Cheney and Sen. Joe Lieberan

Shaw moderates the 2000 vice-presidential debate between Dick Cheney and Sen. Joe Lieberan

Shaw moderates the 2000 vice-presidential debate between Dick Cheney and Sen. Joe Lieberan

Shaw periodically stopped by his old network to provide insight into several matters, including during the period of time in 2020-2021 when protestors canvassed the nation on behalf of a variety of causes

Shaw periodically stopped by his old network to provide insight into several matters, including during the period of time in 2020-2021 when protestors canvassed the nation on behalf of a variety of causes

Shaw periodically stopped by his old network to provide insight into several matters, including during the period of time in 2020-2021 when protestors canvassed the nation on behalf of a variety of causes

CNN's new chairman and CEO, Chris Licht, offered his condolences at Shaw's passing and spoke about his contributions to the network over the years

CNN's new chairman and CEO, Chris Licht, offered his condolences at Shaw's passing and spoke about his contributions to the network over the years

CNN’s new chairman and CEO, Chris Licht, offered his condolences at Shaw’s passing and spoke about his contributions to the network over the years

His family announced his passing Thursday, which was provided to CNN’s former CEO Tom Johnson.

‘In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Bernard Shaw Scholarship Fund at the University of Chicago. The Shaw family requests complete privacy at this time,’ read the statement.

Johnson said: ‘As a journalist, he demanded accuracy and fairness in news coverage. He earned the respect of millions of viewers around the world for his integrity and independence. He resisted forcefully any lowering of ethical news standards or any compromise of solid news coverage. He always could be trusted as a reporter and as an anchor.’

Shaw was born in 1940 in Chicago to a railroad employee and housekeeper. He grew up loving to read and eventually received a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1959 to 1963.

He is survived by his wife Linda and the couples’ two children.

Shaw reports from Tiananmen Square, China in May, 1989 during the student protests that eventually became the June 4 massacre

Shaw reports from Tiananmen Square, China in May, 1989 during the student protests that eventually became the June 4 massacre

Shaw reports from Tiananmen Square, China in May, 1989 during the student protests that eventually became the June 4 massacre

Shaw became known as an anchor who would ask politicians tough questions and was able to deliver importance news story with an air of calm

Shaw became known as an anchor who would ask politicians tough questions and was able to deliver importance news story with an air of calm

Shaw became known as an anchor who would ask politicians tough questions and was able to deliver importance news story with an air of calm

Shaw the beginning of his career with CNN working as the principal Washington correspondent

Shaw the beginning of his career with CNN working as the principal Washington correspondent

Shaw the beginning of his career with CNN working as the principal Washington correspondent


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