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Veteran CBS and ABC News Executive Dies

Apr 21, 2014  •  Post A Comment

The former president of CBS News, who was also a top executive at ABC News, has died. TVNewser.com reports that David W. Burke died at 78.

"Burke served as CBS News chief from 1988-1990, overseeing the network’s coverage of the Tiananmen Square protests, Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait, and the First Gulf War. He also suspended the late '60 Minutes' commentator Andy Rooney for comments that offended homosexuals," the story reports.

The article adds: "Before CBS, Burke  served as executive vice president at ABC News, where he helped lift the network to first place in the ratings while also building Peter Jennings into a major figure. At ABC, Burke oversaw the creation of 'Nightline' with Ted Koppel and '20/20' with Barbara Walters. Following his two tumultuous years at CBS News, the Los Angeles Times wrote that Burke, was 'an outsider in the most inside of institutions.'”

Burke's background before his broadcast career involved political work, including time as an aide to Sen. Ted Kennedy and New York Gov. Hugh Carey.

"Later in life, he was appointed by President Clinton to serve as the first chairman of Broadcasting Board of Governors, which today hands out an award in Burke’s name," the report notes.

david burke.jpgDavid W. Burke

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