The Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia

Eyewitness News Reporter Walt Hunter is one of the market's most outstanding investigative reporters. In 2004, Hunter was named best TV reporter by Philadelphia Magazine in its “Best of Philly” issue.

Hunter joined CBS 3’s news team in 1980 covering the police beat, and since that time, has earned a reputation for breaking many of the Philadelphia area's top stories. Hunter was the first to report the use of military explosives in the MOVE shootout (which he covered under fire) and the first to expose major safety hazards at J.F.K. Stadium (which led to its closing). Hunter has also broadcast more than 40 reports exposing Philadelphia's child welfare system, which led to many reforms.

His hard-driving and in-depth reporting style has won him more than 20 awards including eight Philadelphia Emmy Awards and an Emmy nomination in 2004 plus honors from the Society of Professional Journalists, the Associated Press, UPI and the Philadelphia Press Association.

A Philadelphia native, Hunter worked his way through college working summers as a deck hand on an oil barge at a Philadelphia refinery. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English.

He made his move to television following five years as the morning drive and police beat reporter for WCAU-AM. He also worked as a reporter for the Philadelphia Bulletin and The Main Line Times where at 23 he was named the youngest managing editor in the history of the paper. In his spare time, Hunter works out with weights, runs, fishing, golfing, poetry and is a volunteer firefighter in his community.

His favorite TV program is “60 Minutes.” Why is Walt Hunter a journalist? “To make the world better,” he said. Walt is 5’ 10” tall, a Taurus with two kids. He loves to eat mussels (probably at Avalon, his favorite spot at the Jersey shore) and follows the Philadelphia Eagles avidly.

On Friday, November 16, 2007, Broadcast Pioneers member Walt Hunter was inducted into our Hall of Fame.

The e-mail address of the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia is pioneers@broadcastpioneers.com