news…..the real story!

Don Hewitt, recognized as a father of modern television news and the creator of the medium’s most successful broadcast “60 Minutes,” died of pancreatic cancer on Wednesday, the network announced. He was 86.

Hewitt had homes in Manhattan and Bridgehampton, New York, where he died while surrounded with his family. The network did not specify in which home he passed away.

Hewitt was executive producer of CBS News, the title he took when he stepped down from his post as executive producer of “60 Minutes” in 2004.

“In the history of journalism, there have been few who were as creative, dynamic and versatile as Don Hewitt,” said Leslie Moonves, President of News Corp. “The depth and breadth of his accomplishments are impossible to measure, because since the very beginnings of our business, he quite literally invented so many of the vehicles by which we now communicate the news. He will be missed by our entire industry, but most of all by his many, many friends at CBS both past and present who continue to be inspired by his professionalism, grit and dedication to the truth,” he added.