Brinkley, David McClure, 1920–2003, American news broadcaster, b. Wilmington, N.C. He began (1942) his lengthy journalistic career as a reporter for United Press, soon (1943) joining the National Broadcasting Company. He first appeared on air in 1945, becoming a news commentator in 1950. Within a few years, Brinkley and fellow newsman Chet Huntley developed documentary techniques for televised analyses of public affairs. Their nightly Huntley-Brinkley Report (1956–70) won several awards, including the Peabody, Sylvania, and “Emmy.” From 1981 until 1996, Brinkley hosted This Week with David Brinkley, a weekly news panel, for the American Broadcasting Company. In 1992 he won a Peabody Award for his report on the 50th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. As a news analyst Brinkley was noted for his clipped speech, terse and biting commentary, candor, and dry wit.
See his memoirs (1995) and his Everyone Is Entitled to My Opinion (1996).
