Byron Barnett, a longtime television news reporter for 7News WHDH in Boston, died Sunday, August 3 at age 69 after battling cancer. Barnett passed away peacefully in his native Minneapolis, Minnesota, surrounded by his loving family.
The veteran journalist spent nearly four decades at the Boston station, joining WHDH in 1983 and retiring in 2021 during the pandemic. Barnett was inducted into the Massachusetts Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2017, recognizing his significant contributions to local broadcasting.
Throughout his career, Barnett covered major historical events that shaped the nation. He reported live from Cape Canaveral during the 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger explosion, witnessing the disaster that killed seven astronauts including New Hampshire teacher Christa McAuliffe. He also covered the Oklahoma City bombing, the trials and deaths of Aaron Hernandez and Whitey Bulger, and the release of American hostages from a hijacked TWA flight in Lebanon.
Barnett was particularly known for his political coverage, serving as a fixture on the presidential campaign trail in New Hampshire since 1984. He covered every presidential campaign from Ronald Reagan through the modern era, conducting interviews with prominent political figures including Barack Obama, Joe Biden, and Hillary Clinton. He was present in Washington, D.C., for Obama’s inauguration as America’s first Black president.
The reporter gained recognition for his tough questioning style, particularly during his encounters with former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick at press conferences. However, Barnett often said his interview with boxing champion Muhammad Ali remained a highlight of his early television news career.
Beyond breaking news, Barnett hosted the long-running public affairs program Urban Update on WHDH. He covered crime stories, court cases, fires, major weather events including nor’easters, and human interest features that connected with New England audiences. His reporting extended to covering the 1984 riots in Lawrence, Massachusetts, and numerous other significant regional stories.
Barnett’s family released a statement through the station expressing their grief. “Throughout his four decade career, Byron cherished the privilege of telling the stories of New Englanders who welcomed him into their lives,” the family stated. The family noted that he faced cancer with unwavering courage before passing peacefully.
During his Hall of Fame induction speech in 2017, Barnett reflected on a lesson learned early in his career as a reporter at KSTP-TV in Minnesota. He emphasized the importance of accurate reporting and providing proper context to avoid unintended consequences. Barnett described his Boston career as fantastic, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to travel to interesting places, meet notable people, and witness history unfold.
The journalist’s accomplishments earned him numerous awards throughout his career. He received an Emmy Award, the Sigma Delta Chi Award, and the National Association of Black Journalists’ Region One Journalist of The Year Award. Additional honors included the YMCA Black Achievers Award and the 2013 Silver Circle Award from the Boston/New England Chapter of the National Association of Television Arts & Sciences.
Colleagues and public figures paid tribute to Barnett following news of his death. Former Boston Mayor Marty Walsh described him as human first, smart, principled, and honest. Walsh noted that Barnett’s work reflected communities with heart and integrity.
Current and former colleagues from Boston television stations shared memories of working with Barnett. WHDH reporter Jonathan Hall described him as someone everyone loved, praising his reporting skills and ability to connect with people during their most difficult moments. Hall noted Barnett’s capacity to sense others’ loss and provide compassionate coverage when people experienced their worst days.
Boston 25 News reporter Bob Ward recalled covering many stories alongside Barnett, describing him as gracious and kind while admiring his reporting tenacity. WHDH anchor Amaka Ubaka credited Barnett as a mentor who provided guidance on thriving as a Black reporter in Boston, noting his willingness to take time speaking with everyone in the newsroom.
Barnett’s legacy extended beyond individual stories to broader industry advocacy. He worked with other television reporters to successfully lobby the Massachusetts Legislature to outlaw non-compete clauses in broadcaster contracts, demonstrating his commitment to improving working conditions for journalists.
The veteran reporter retired during the pandemic in 2021, with colleagues gathering in the newsroom, wearing masks, to hear his farewell. WHDH has established an email address for viewers to share condolence messages and memories of Barnett at rememberingbyron@whdh.com.
