Former CBSer named news director of Murrow Public Media

Former CBS News London Bureau Chief John Paxson has been tapped as news director for Murrow Public Media which includes Northwest Public Radio and Northwest Public Television.

“As CBS London bureau chief and vice president for Europe, John, quite literally, held Edward R. Murrow’s old job,” said Lawrence Pintak, dean of The Edward R. Murrow College of Communication at Washington State, which operates the network.

In his role as news director, Paxson will increase the amount of regional news coverage on the 15 NPR-affiliated radio stations and two PBS TV stations, as well as generate new locally-produced programs, all while integrating Murrow students into the operations.

“Local news is the bedrock of broadcasting. At a time when industry cutbacks are affecting the quality and quantity of news available at the local level, I relish the chance to help Murrow build a news operation that serves the people of this state and prepares students to hit the ground running,” Paxson said.

Paxson was CBS’s London bureau chief from 1997-2006. He is married to former ABC News correspondent Lucrezia Cuen.

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