The quiet and calm voice of the most thoughtful news show on television, Lehrer has the respect and admiration of his peers.

James Charles "Jim" Lehrer (/ˈlɛərər/;—born May 19, 1934) is an American journalist, and is the executive editor and a former news anchor for the PBS NewsHour on PBS. He is also known for his role as a debate moderator in U.S. presidential election campaigns, and is an author of numerous fiction and non-fiction books, which draw upon his experience as a newsman, and his interests in history and politics.

In 1959 Lehrer began his career in journalism at The Dallas Morning News. Later, he was a reporter for the Dallas Times-Herald, where he covered the assassination of John F. Kennedy in 1963, and reported on other events until 1966, was a political columnist for several years, and became the city editor in 1968.

He began his TV career at Dallas KERA-TV as executive director of public affairs, on-air host, and editor of a nightly news program. He then moved to PBS in Washington, DC, to become the public affairs coordinator, a member of Journalism Advisory Board, and a fellow at the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). Next, Lehrer worked as a correspondent for the National Public Affairs Center for Television (NPACT) where he met Robert MacNeil. In 1973, they covered the Senate Watergate hearings and the revelation of the Watergate Tapes broadcast live on PBS. Lehrer also covered the House Judiciary Committee's impeachment inquiry of Richard Nixon.

In October 1975, Lehrer became the Washington correspondent for the "Robert MacNeil Report" on Thirteen/WNET New York. In 1976, the program was renamed "The MacNeil/Lehrer Report". In September 1983, Lehrer and MacNeil launched The MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour, which after MacNeil's departure in 1995 was renamed The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, and later became the PBS NewsHour in 2009.

Lehrer underwent a heart valve surgery in April 2008, and, while he recuperated, Ray Suarez anchored in his stead until his return on June 28, 2008.

On May 12, 2011, Lehrer announced he would be stepping down as anchor of PBS NewsHour on June 6, 2011, but would continue to moderate the Friday news analysis segments, and would continue to be involved with the show's production company, MacNeil/Lehrer Productions.

Lehrer's career in journalism has been recognized through numerous awards and honors. These include several Emmys, the George Foster Peabody Broadcast Award, a William Allen White Foundation Award for Journalistic Merit, and the University of Missouri School of Journalism's Medal of Honor. And, in 2004, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Journalism degree by McDaniel College.

Honors and awards
American Academy of Arts and Sciences Fellow (1991)
University of Missouri School of Journalism's Medal of Honor
William Allen White Foundation Award for Journalistic Merit
George Foster Peabody Award
Fred Friendly First Amendment Award,
Emmy Award
National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Silver Circle (1999)
Television Hall of Fame (1999)
National Humanities Medal (1999)