Byron Barnett, a longtime television news reporter for WHDH-TV 7News in Boston, died Sunday at age 69 after battling cancer. The veteran journalist passed away peacefully in his native Minneapolis, surrounded by family members.
Barnett joined the Boston television station in 1983 and served as a reporter for 38 years before retiring in 2021 during the pandemic. Throughout his four-decade career, he covered major national and regional stories, from natural disasters to high-profile court cases and presidential campaigns.
The reporter was present for several historic moments, including the Space Shuttle Challenger explosion in 1986, where he was reporting live from Cape Canaveral when the disaster occurred. 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 became particularly known for his political coverage and tenacious questioning style. He was a regular fixture on the presidential campaign trail in New Hampshire, covering every race since Ronald Reagan in 1984. He also gained recognition for pressing New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick during press conferences.
According to WHDH-TV, Barnett often said his interview with Muhammad Ali was a highlight of his early television news career. He also hosted the long-running public affairs program Urban Update for several years during his tenure at the station.
Barnett’s family released a statement through the television station expressing their gratitude for his career. “Throughout his four decade career, Byron cherished the privilege of telling the stories of New Englanders,” the family stated, noting that he passed away after facing cancer with unwavering courage.
The journalist received numerous honors throughout his career, including induction into the Massachusetts Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2017. He was also an Emmy Award winner and received the Sigma Delta Chi Award, the National Association of Black Journalists’ Region One Journalist of The Year Award, and the YMCA Black Achievers Award.
During his Hall of Fame induction speech, Barnett reflected on a lesson learned early in his career as a reporter at KSTP-TV in Minnesota. He emphasized the importance of accuracy and context in reporting, stating that he always tried to get stories right and report them properly to avoid unintended consequences.
Colleagues and local officials paid tribute to Barnett following news of his death. WHDH reporter Jonathan Hall described him as someone everyone loved and praised his skills as a reporter and communicator. Steve Cooper, another 7News reporter, called Barnett a legend of the Boston broadcasting world and highlighted his kindness, caring nature, and professionalism.
Former Boston Mayor Marty Walsh described Barnett as human first and everything one would look for in a journalist. Walsh noted that the reporter’s work reflected communities with heart and integrity.
WHDH anchor Amaka Ubaka remembered Barnett as a mentor who provided guidance on surviving and thriving as a Black reporter in Boston. She noted that he always took time to speak with everyone in the newsroom, regardless of their position.
Bob Ward, a reporter for Boston 25 News, recalled covering many stories alongside Barnett and praised his graciousness, kindness, and tenacity. Ward described him as always professional and expressed admiration for his reporting abilities.
Among Barnett’s proudest professional accomplishments was working with other television reporters to lobby the Massachusetts Legislature to outlaw non-compete clauses in contracts for broadcasters. He also received the 2013 Silver Circle Award from the Boston/New England Chapter of the National Association of Television Arts & Sciences.
The station established a memorial page where viewers and colleagues could share condolence messages and memories of Barnett. Many tributes highlighted his warm personality, professional integrity, and deep connection with the communities he served throughout his extensive career in Boston journalism.
