Indiana Broadcast History Archive

Lee Giles was the longest-tenured news director in the nation, serving as news director of WISH-TV in Indianapolis for 35 years. Under his leadership, WISH-TV expanded its news coverage, launching the market’s first 60-minute evening newscast and enhancing weekend news programming. He was inducted into multiple journalism halls of fame and received the First Amendment Service Award from the Radio Television News Directors Foundation. 

Born in Independence, Kentucky on January 22, 1937, Giles earned his A.B. degree in Radio Arts, English, and Journalism from the University of Kentucky and later obtained a master’s degree in Television and Political Science from Michigan State University. 

Giles began his broadcasting career in 1959 as a writer and reporter for WLW Radio and WLW-TV in Cincinnati. He later became news director of WLBJ Radio in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and served as assistant director of public relations at Western Kentucky State College. 

In 1963, Giles joined WISH-TV as its first editorial director. He was promoted to news director in 1968 and later became vice president of the station in 1996. During his tenure, he grew the newsroom staff, introduced new technology, and mentored future journalists, including Jane Pauley. The WISH-TV newsroom has been named in his honor. 

Beyond his work in television news, Giles was an educator. He served as an associate faculty member at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis for 12 years and taught television news at Butler University. In 2013, he joined the Indiana University School of Journalism as a visiting professor. 

Giles was actively involved in professional organizations, serving as National Chair of the Society for Professional Journalists’ Jane Pauley Task Force on Mass Communication Education. He was also a member of the Radio-Television News Directors Association and served on the Indiana Associated Press Advisory Board. The Society and professional journalist inducted Lee Giles into the Hall of Fame in 1993. 

Giles retired in 2003 after a 40-year career at WISH-TV and now lives in Brownsburg, Indiana.  

February 2025

Katherine Maners

Indiana Broadcast Pioneers