Newton N. Minow Obituary

Newton Norman Minow was an American lawyer who presided over the Federal Communications Commission.

Newton N. Minow, passed away of a heart attack on May 6 2023, at his home in Chicago. He was 97. The Associated Press confirmed Minow’s death on Saturday afternoon.

Newton Minow was born on Jan. 17, 1926, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Minow enlisted in the Army during World War II. He was promoted to sergeant in 1946.

Newton Minow graduated from Northwestern University three years later with a bachelor’s degree in speech and political science. Minow then attended Northwestern Law School and graduated first in his class.

He was the law review editor throughout his education. He is best known for referring to television as a “vast wasteland” in a speech.

Minow was the Honorary Consul General of Singapore in Chicago since 2001 while continuing to practise law.  He was a telecommunications law attorney in private practice who was involved in numerous nonprofit, civic, and educational organisations.

President Barack Obama bestowed the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Minow in 2016, the nation’s highest civilian honour.

Newton Minow spent his career writing books and articles, lecturing, campaigning for programming reforms, and serving as co-chairman of the Commission on Presidential Debates board.