Tony Brown, pioneering journalist and civil rights advocate, dies at 93

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Tony Brown, the iconic journalist, educator and civil rights advocate best known as the host and producer of the long‑running PBS program Tony Brown’s Journal, died June 17, 2026, from coronary heart disease at his home in Newport News.

He was 93.

Tony Brown: A Pioneering Journalist

Brown’s national broadcast career began in 1970 when he took over the monthly public‑affairs program Black Journal. Then he transformed the show and renamed it Tony Brown’s Journal, which became the longest‑running series in PBS history.

Moreover, the program offered frank discussions on race, politics and culture, often covering issues ignored by mainstream outlets.

The show also examined major historical events, including the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment and the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.

Educator Who Built Generations of Black Journalists

Brown was equally influential in academia. He served as the founding dean of Howard University’s School of Communications and later became the inaugural dean of Hampton University’s Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications.

Additionally, he mentored students who went on to shape newsrooms nationwide.

Civil Rights Leadership Rooted in Action

Before his national media career, Brown played a key role in the Civil Rights Movement. He helped coordinate a major 1963 Detroit march featuring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., an event that drew hundreds of thousands of participants.

Furthermore, his advocacy emphasized economic empowerment, accountability and community advancement.

Journalist Tony Brown’s Legacy Built on Truth and Representation

Throughout his career, Brown championed honest storytelling and insisted on elevating Black voices. His motto, “No Black Lies. No White Lies. Only the Truth.”, reflected his lifelong commitment to transparency and justice.

He leaves behind a legacy that reshaped public television, strengthened journalism education and expanded national conversations on race.