Tom Jarriel, whose career spanned three decades at ABC News, died peacefully at a nursing facility after battling health issues.
Tom Jarriel, Pioneering ABC Reporter and Emmy Winner, Passes Away at 89
Tom Jarriel, Pioneering ABC Reporter and Emmy Winner, Passes Away at 89
The journalist remembered for impactful storytelling on social issues and global crises.
Tom Jarriel, a distinguished reporter for ABC News, has passed away at the age of 89 in Annapolis, Maryland. Renowned for his groundbreaking work on the network's newsmagazine "20/20," he also served as the chief White House correspondent and weekend anchor at ABC over a career that flourished for 37 years. The confirmation of his death came from his son Steve, who noted that Jarriel had suffered a serious stroke the previous year.
Joining "20/20" in 1979, Jarriel dedicated 23 years to intense and often harrowing journalism, focusing on issues that were often overlooked by mainstream media. His fearless reporting tackled dire situations, including the plight of child victims from Mozambique's civil war, the return of the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia, and the devastating famine in Ethiopia.
Longtime producer Janice Tomlin, who collaborated closely with Jarriel, reflected on the gravity of their joint stories. "We did not do happy stories," she recounted, emphasizing how Jarriel's focus was squarely on urgent humanitarian crises.
Among his most defining contributions, Jarriel investigated the devastating circumstances of Romanian orphans in the early '90s. He and Tomlin uncovered appalling conditions in state-run institutions that hoarded neglected children, some suffering grotesque abuses and malnutrition. "These are not the orphanages seen before on American television," Jarriel remarked during a 1990 report, shedding light on the brutal realities faced by vulnerable children in Romania.
His compelling reports revealed scenes reminiscent of darker periods in human history, with images of children imprisoned in cages and enduring grave neglect. The stark emotional impact and urgency in Jarriel's storytelling not only elevated awareness of global injustices but also reflected his unwavering commitment to giving a voice to the voiceless. His legacy, measured in countless Emmy Awards and awards, remains influential in the landscape of broadcast journalism.
Joining "20/20" in 1979, Jarriel dedicated 23 years to intense and often harrowing journalism, focusing on issues that were often overlooked by mainstream media. His fearless reporting tackled dire situations, including the plight of child victims from Mozambique's civil war, the return of the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia, and the devastating famine in Ethiopia.
Longtime producer Janice Tomlin, who collaborated closely with Jarriel, reflected on the gravity of their joint stories. "We did not do happy stories," she recounted, emphasizing how Jarriel's focus was squarely on urgent humanitarian crises.
Among his most defining contributions, Jarriel investigated the devastating circumstances of Romanian orphans in the early '90s. He and Tomlin uncovered appalling conditions in state-run institutions that hoarded neglected children, some suffering grotesque abuses and malnutrition. "These are not the orphanages seen before on American television," Jarriel remarked during a 1990 report, shedding light on the brutal realities faced by vulnerable children in Romania.
His compelling reports revealed scenes reminiscent of darker periods in human history, with images of children imprisoned in cages and enduring grave neglect. The stark emotional impact and urgency in Jarriel's storytelling not only elevated awareness of global injustices but also reflected his unwavering commitment to giving a voice to the voiceless. His legacy, measured in countless Emmy Awards and awards, remains influential in the landscape of broadcast journalism.
