Veteran Journalist Gwen Ifill Dies of Cancer

A groundbreaking journalist has died.

FOX’s Lisa Lacerra has this report from our New York newsroom:

Gwen Ifill began her journalism career as a newspaper reporter working for the New York Times and Washington Post before switching to TV in the 1990’s working for NBC News, then moving to the PBS News Hour where she served as co-anchor with Judy Woodruff.

She moderated two Vice Presidential debates in 2004 and 2008:

(Ifill) “Governor, Senator, neither of you really added to that last question about what you would do as Vice President. I’m going to come back to that.”

President Obama expressing condolences to her family:

(President Obama) “I always appreciated Gwen’s reporting, even when I was at the receiving end of one of her tough and thorough interviews.”

And saying

(President Obama) “Whether she reported from a Convention floor or from the field. Whether she sat at the debate moderators table or at the anchors desk, she not only informed today’s citizens, but she also inspired tomorrow’s journalists.”

Gwen Ifill died Monday of cancer. She was 61.

Lisa Lacerra, FOX News.

Statement from PBS:

“It is with extreme sadness that we share the news that Gwen Ifill passed away earlier today surrounded by family and friends.

Gwen was one of America’s leading lights in journalism and a fundamental reason public media is considered a trusted window on the world by audiences across the nation. Her contributions to thoughtful reporting and civic discourse simply cannot be overstated.

She often said that her job was to bring light rather than heat to issues of importance to our society. Gwen did this with grace and a steadfast commitment to excellence.

Our sorrow at her passing is a part of our profound gratitude for all that she did for our system and our nation. It was an honor to know Gwen and to work with her. All of us at PBS express our sincere condolences to Gwen’s friends and family.”