(PatriotNews.net) – Former ABC News correspondent and anchor Tom Jarriel has passed away at the age of 89. His family announced his death on Thursday, and ABC News paid tribute to him as a respected journalist whose work left a deep impact on television news.
Jarriel was born in Georgia and raised in Shreveport, Louisiana. His broadcasting career began in 1958 with KPRC in Houston, Texas, where he worked for several years before joining ABC News in 1965. Just three years later, Jarriel reported on one of the most significant events of the 1960s—the assassination of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This report marked the beginning of his career covering major historical events.
In 1969, Jarriel was appointed as ABC’s Chief White House Correspondent, a role that saw him covering the presidencies of Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford. Known for his steady demeanor and clear reporting style, Jarriel earned the respect of colleagues and viewers alike, giving them straightforward news during a time of national change.
In 1979, Jarriel took on two new roles. He became the anchor for ABC’s “Weekend Report” and joined the team that launched the investigative news program “20/20.” This show quickly became a major platform for in-depth reporting, and Jarriel’s work helped shape its reputation. His years on “20/20” featured hard-hitting stories on critical issues. One notable report exposed sexual abuse against women in the U.S. armed forces, bringing attention to a largely hidden issue.
Another of Jarriel’s defining stories came after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. He traveled to Romania to report on the appalling conditions in Romanian orphanages. The images of suffering children shocked viewers, and Jarriel later called it “the great, defining story of my career.”
Former colleagues remember Jarriel as a calm, professional presence, always focused on delivering the news with integrity. He is remembered not just for his steady voice in the newsroom but for his dedication to shining a light on untold stories. Tom Jarriel’s work made a lasting mark on American journalism and on viewers who trusted him to bring them the truth.
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