Bill Monroe (journalist)
Encyclopedia
William Blanc "Bill" Monroe Jr. (July 17, 1920 – February 17, 2011) was an American
television journalist for NBC News
. He was the executive producer and fourth moderator of the NBC public affairs program Meet the Press
(1975–84), succeeding Lawrence E. Spivak
, the program's co-founder and third moderator.
and graduated from Tulane University
there in 1942. During World War II
, Monroe served in the United States Army Air Forces
in Europe. Early in his career, Monroe served as the first news director for WDSU-TV, an NBC affiliate, in his hometown of New Orleans. In 1959, Monroe’s team at WDSU-TV won a George Foster Peabody Award. His news reporting on NBC's Today show, won a Peabody in 1973. He was also a prominent figure in arguing for greater press access to courtrooms and legislative chambers. For some years prior to his assuming the moderator's chair, Monroe served as one of four regular weekly panelists on Meet the Press. He also served as Washington bureau chief for NBC and frequently reported for The Today Show, for which he won a Peabody in 1973. Monroe retired from NBC in 1986, but subsequently held several other jobs including ombudsman for the official armed forces newspaper "Stars and Stripes".
Monroe was injured in a fall during December 2010 and spent the last three months of his life in a Maryland nursing home. His family stated that he died of complications from high blood pressure.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
television journalist for NBC News
NBC News
NBC News is the news division of American television network NBC. It first started broadcasting in February 21, 1940. NBC Nightly News has aired from Studio 3B, located on floors 3 of the NBC Studios is the headquarters of the GE Building forms the centerpiece of 30th Rockefeller Center it is...
. He was the executive producer and fourth moderator of the NBC public affairs program Meet the Press
Meet the Press
Meet the Press is a weekly American television news/interview program produced by NBC. It is the longest-running television series in American broadcasting history, despite bearing little resemblance to the original format of the program seen in its television debut on November 6, 1947. It has been...
(1975–84), succeeding Lawrence E. Spivak
Lawrence E. Spivak
Lawrence Edmund Spivak was an American publisher and journalist who was best known as the co-founder, producer and host of the prestigious public affairs program Meet the Press...
, the program's co-founder and third moderator.
Life and career
Monroe was born in New Orleans, LouisianaNew Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
and graduated from Tulane University
Tulane University
Tulane University is a private, nonsectarian research university located in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States...
there in 1942. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Monroe served in the United States Army Air Forces
United States Army Air Forces
The United States Army Air Forces was the military aviation arm of the United States of America during and immediately after World War II, and the direct predecessor of the United States Air Force....
in Europe. Early in his career, Monroe served as the first news director for WDSU-TV, an NBC affiliate, in his hometown of New Orleans. In 1959, Monroe’s team at WDSU-TV won a George Foster Peabody Award. His news reporting on NBC's Today show, won a Peabody in 1973. He was also a prominent figure in arguing for greater press access to courtrooms and legislative chambers. For some years prior to his assuming the moderator's chair, Monroe served as one of four regular weekly panelists on Meet the Press. He also served as Washington bureau chief for NBC and frequently reported for The Today Show, for which he won a Peabody in 1973. Monroe retired from NBC in 1986, but subsequently held several other jobs including ombudsman for the official armed forces newspaper "Stars and Stripes".
Monroe was injured in a fall during December 2010 and spent the last three months of his life in a Maryland nursing home. His family stated that he died of complications from high blood pressure.