David Brinkley at 100: Still the standard for broadcast journalists

For half a century, David Brinkley set the standard as a news anchor and reporter. As we mark the centennial of his birth, it’s worth noting how this broadcasting pioneer successfully navigated an ever-changing industry. Almost two decades after his 2003 death, Brinkley’s career offers some lasting lessons for today’s journalists.

Brinkley was born on July 10, 1920, in Wilmington, North Carolina. After serving in the Army, he moved to Washington, D.C., in 1943 and became NBC Radio’s White House correspondent. He began reporting during the administration of Franklin Roosevelt, the first of 11 presidents Brinkley would cover.