Jim Avila, a veteran broadcast journalist who spent decades covering some of the nation’s most consequential stories for ABC News, died this week after a long illness, the network announced Thursday. He was 69.
Avila’s career spanned more than four decades in television journalism, where he became known for his clear-eyed reporting style and his work on major national programs such as “20/20” and “World News Tonight.” Over the years, he earned a reputation as one of ABC’s most trusted correspondents, often covering complex and sensitive issues with the kind of depth that defined an earlier era of network reporting.
During his tenure, Avila reported from the White House during former President Barack Obama’s second term, a period marked by partisan gridlock, shifting media landscapes, and growing public distrust in national institutions. His work was often recognized for its professionalism and evenhanded tone amid a press corps that was increasingly polarized.
Avila’s reporting portfolio reflected both range and persistence. Whether covering breaking national crises or long-running investigations, he brought to viewers a steadiness that was rooted in the traditional news values of accuracy, context, and public accountability — qualities that many in the industry now view as endangered in the age of social media and partisan punditry.
Jim Avila, a former longtime @ABC News senior correspondent, whose investigative journalism earned him several of the most prestigious awards in broadcast news, has died. He was 69. https://t.co/E7wRA9OmZj
— ABC News (@ABC) November 13, 2025
The award-winning correspondent retired from ABC News in 2021 but remained active in journalism afterward. According to ABC News President Almin Karamehmedovic, Avila “continued to contribute to journalism through opinion writing and local reporting, sharing his experience and deep curiosity to tell the stories that mattered most to his community and viewers.”
In his statement to staff, Karamehmedovic described Avila as “a consummate professional” whose commitment to his craft was unwavering. “We send our heartfelt condolences to his family,” he said, “and we thank him for his many contributions and unwavering commitment to seeking out the truth.”
Avila’s death comes at a time when American journalism continues to wrestle with its identity — between advocacy and objectivity, national reach and local impact. His career, colleagues have noted, stood as a reminder of the importance of grounding reporting in facts and public service rather than ideology or spectacle.
Before joining ABC News, Avila built his career in local television, where his coverage of social issues, natural disasters, and political corruption earned him respect among peers and several journalism awards. His work often focused on accountability — a principle he carried with him throughout his national career.
While Avila was part of a media institution now owned by entertainment conglomerate Disney, those who worked with him say he maintained an old-school reporter’s ethos — skeptical of power, devoted to the craft, and wary of sensationalism.
His passing marks the loss of a journalist who bridged eras in American media: from the traditional nightly broadcast to the fractured digital age. For many, Jim Avila represented a vanishing model of journalism — one grounded in diligence, fairness, and a belief that facts still matter.
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