R.I.P., Hal Fishman

The longtime KTLA newsman, who took over the 10 p.m. anchor desk at the station in 1975, died this morning. He was 75.

Fishman was the dean of L.A. anchors, having sat in the same chair longer than anyone else here -- actually, according to KTLA, longer than anyone else in TV history.

Local TV news has changed a lot in the 47 years since he first entered the business.. some good (the technology that has made reporting around the region a lot easier) and a lot bad (the general fluffiness and "if it bleeds, it leads" mindset of modern newscasts). But even as KTLA grew less newsy and more feature-y (and became more and more populated by amateurs will few reporting chops), Hal remained the conscience of the station. You knew that, with Hal and Stan Chambers still at KTLA, all was not lost.

Well, something now has been lost.

Background on Hal, from KTLA:

Hal was on track for a career as a college professor when television station KCOP invited him to teach an on-air class in politics in 1960. He agreed, and "American Political Parties in Politics" became so successful that the station asked him back to anchor his own segment on the news. Hal made the jump to KTLA in 1965, the year of the Watts riots. His coverage of that event helped KTLA win an Emmy and a Peabody Award.

A 47-year news veteran, Hal anchored KTLA Prime News (known previously as "News @ Ten") continuously since 1975, making him the longest-running anchor in television history. Along with serving as an anchor for Prime News, Hal was also the show's managing editor.

More than 1,500 viewers have already payed tribute to Hal on the KTLA's website.

Meanwhile, on his blog, Eric Spillman -- one of KTLA's best reporters -- payed tribute:

(Hal) believed in Journalism and The News, capitalized. Those of us in broadcasting had an almost-sacred task of delivering important information to the viewers so that democracy could survive.

He honestly believed that.

Would a Hal Fishman be able to get a job in TV news today? I'm afraid to answer that question.

Those of us still employed in this business need to think about the values he stood for and figure out how to convince our bosses it still matters.

It's been widely assumed that when Fishman eventually passed the anchor baton, "KTLA Morning Show" anchor Carlos Amezcua would take over the 10 p.m. newscast.

But the station will probably wait a few weeks before announcing its plans, particularly because Fishman's death was so sudden. He was only diagnosed with colon cancer a week ago, but the illness had already spread to his liver.

It's a rough time for KTLA, which also recently saw the departure of longtime news director Jeff Wald.

One more tidbit about Hal: As a pilot and aviation buff, Hal holds 12 official world aviation records for speed and altitude.

Previously on Franklin Avenue: Hal Fishman in Hospital, Just Days After KTLA Honors Him