SPRINGFIELD — Western Massachusetts public television legend Jim Madigan, a journalist well-known for his issue-oriented coverage and skilled moderating of political debates, has died at the age of 65.
Madigan worked at WGBY in Springfield for nearly 27 years, joining the station in 1990 as a senior producer of public affairs before eventually becoming director of public affairs. Madigan was a well-respected journalist who moderated high-profile political debates and conducted interviews with prominent figures as the longtime host of WGBY’s “Connecting Point.”
“Jim was one of those guys who always followed the story, he always did the research, he was always there when you needed him,” former WGBY general manager Russell “Rus” Peotter of Chesterfield said.
Peotter worked at the station from 2001 until 2016, and said Madigan was already an institution when he arrived. “People’s initial comment about Jim was that Jim has the best Rolodex in western Mass.,” he said. “Everyone liked him or respected him. I never heard anyone say that Jim had an unfair question or had an agenda when he was doing an interview … but he didn’t shy away from asking tough questions.”
Madigan retired in 2017 after learning that he had terminal lung disease.
Madigan was inducted into the New England chapter of the Silver Circle Award of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in 2015, in special recognition of television professionals who have “made significant contributions to their community and to the vitality of the television industry.”
In an application for the award that Peotter submitted, Wayne Phaneuf, executive editor of The Republican, gave Madigan a glowing recommendation as personifying “a tradition of professional journalism that has become rare in this era of knee-jerk reporting and gotcha interviews.”
“His service to this community has made us better informed with an understanding of the political scene especially that is so important in making decisions at the ballot box,” the letter reads. “Jim Madigan equals trust. What more can you ask for in a journalist?”
“I am deeply saddened at the passing of my friend Jim Madigan,” U.S. Rep. Richard Neal said in a statement Wednesday, adding that Madigan was known for his integrity, professionalism and knowledge. “I enjoyed my discussions with him because he was a reporter who cared about the substance of an issue. He was always prepared and extremely well informed. On a personal level, I appreciated his decency and kindness. He was just a terrific guy.”
One of Madigan’s biggest moments in the spotlight came in 2012, when he moderated the third debate between incumbent U.S. Sen. Scott Brown and challenger Elizabeth Warren. The previous debate moderator had spent a long time focused on Brown’s attacks on Warren’s self-proclaimed Native American heritage, but Madigan kept the substance of the Springfield debate to policy issues, leading many to praise his professionalism.
“And for this serious business America has to thank a guy named Jim Madigan who works at WGBY-TV in Springfield, Massachusetts,” journalist Charles Pierce wrote for Esquire after the debate. “Almost by himself, on Wednesday night, one man kept a race very important to the balance of power in this country from descending into nasty, racially grating burlesque for the balance of this campaign.”
Warren, who won the Senate seat, released a statement Wednesday recalling that 2012 debate and said her thoughts were with Madigan’s family, friends and former colleagues.
“Jim’s widely respected voice and his commitment to the community will be missed,” Warren said. “I first saw Jim’s thoughtful approach to journalism during my campaign debate in Springfield in 2012 — for years his work enriched the public discourse in Massachusetts.”
Former Senate President Stan Rosenberg, who appeared on Madigan’s program many times over the years, said Pierce’s words were on the mark.
“That was him,” Rosenberg said. “Totally focused on making sure people got real information. It was fulfilling the vision of the Fourth Estate, if you will. In a self-governing society, people have to have access to quality information and debate. That was his whole focus in his work.”
Many WBGY viewers likely knew Madigan from his time hosting “Connecting Point.” The program’s executive producer, Tony Dunne, said Madigan’s passing is an incalculable loss for the region. The show will air a remembrance of Madigan on Friday.
“He was a true gentleman and unparalleled in his political knowledge, and his ability to distill that knowledge to the viewer,” Dunne said. “His like will never be seen again.”