Bill Moyers, Esteemed Journalist and Johnson’s Press Secretary, Dies at 91

Bill Moyers, the iconic journalist and former White House press secretary for President Lyndon B. Johnson, passed away on June 26, 2025, at the age of 91 at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, following a prolonged illness, as confirmed by his son William Moyers and longtime friend Tom Johnson, former CEO of CNN. Moyers' career spanned several decades, transitioning from a young Baptist minister to a pivotal figure in American journalism, known for his profound insights and engaging storytelling.

Moyers was born on June 5, 1934, in Hugo, Oklahoma, and later moved to Marshall, Texas, where his interest in journalism blossomed during his high school years. After earning a degree from the University of Texas and a master’s in divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Moyers began his career in journalism at the Marshall News Messenger. His association with Lyndon B. Johnson began during Johnson's Senate campaign in 1954, marking the start of a long professional relationship that would significantly shape Moyers' career.

In his role as press secretary from 1965 to 1966, Moyers endeavored to improve the media's relationship with the Johnson administration, a challenging task amid the Vietnam War's escalating tensions. Moyers eventually resigned from his post, stating, "We had become a war government, not a reform government, and there was no creative role left for me under those circumstances."

Following his time in the White House, Moyers transitioned to journalism with a focus on public television, where he produced some of the most thought-provoking programs in American broadcasting. His series, such as 'The Secret Government' addressing the Iran-Contra scandal, and 'Joseph Campbell and the Power of Myth', became cultural touchstones, engaging audiences in discussions about mythology, politics, and society.

Moyers' distinctive style—characterized by a calm demeanor and a focus on substantive dialogue—earned him numerous accolades throughout his career, including over 30 Emmy Awards, 11 George Foster Peabody Awards, and induction into the Television Hall of Fame in 1995. His contributions to journalism were recognized for their depth and his ability to engage viewers in critical societal issues, from government corruption to the complexities of human psychology.

Despite facing criticism for his perceived liberal bias, Moyers consistently identified as a "citizen journalist" dedicated to fostering public discourse. His commitment to independent journalism allowed him the freedom to explore topics often overlooked in commercial media, stating, "You do not get rewarded for telling the hard truths about America in a profit-seeking environment."

In the years following his retirement, Moyers continued to influence public thought through various documentaries and publications, emphasizing the importance of critical inquiry in journalism. His legacy lives on not only through his extensive body of work but also in the many journalists and media professionals he inspired. Bill Moyers’ passing marks the end of an era, yet his contributions to the fields of journalism and public discourse will be remembered for generations to come.