Bob Read nominated for IRE Ring of Honor

The late Bob Read, managing editor and senior investigative producer for Inside Edition, has been nominated for the IRE Ring of Honor.

The Ring of Honor is a fundraising initiative that supports fellowships for investigative journalists. It celebrates current and past IRE members who have made significant contributions to the organization and to the field of investigative journalism.

"Bob believed wholeheartedly in IRE's mission to train the next generation of investigative journalists with ethics and compassion."

Cindy Galli, ABC News

Since joining Inside Edition in 1990, Read was instrumental in establishing the show’s reputation for exposing scams, rip-offs and hazards that threaten the safety of consumers.

Under his leadership, Inside Edition’s investigative unit produced hard-hitting reports exposing adoption fraud, home repair swindles, child labor in the U.S. and the lavish lifestyle of mega-church preachers. Their investigations have earned many of journalism’s highest honors including the George Polk Award, the IRE Medal, the National Press Club Award and Sigma Delta Chi Award.

But for Read, it was the people whose lives he touched that mattered most.

"He left an indelible mark on all who worked alongside him, especially those that he closely mentored under his wing," said Charlie McLravy, Inside Edition senior producer, in his nomination for Read. "There's a long list of producers who operated next to Read in the investigative trenches that later went on to work and become managers themselves at the networks."

IRE board member Cindy Galli worked on Read’s team at Inside Edition for 13 years before moving to ABC, where she is now executive producer of the investigative unit.

"Bob believed wholeheartedly in IRE's mission to train the next generation of investigative journalists with ethics and compassion," she said. "Generous in giving of his time and talent, he always ensured that his team attended conferences, often giving up his place to allow someone else the opportunity."

Read was diagnosed with COVID-19 in December 2020, after spending 10 months directing Inside Edition’s pandemic coverage. He died in January 2021 at age 60.

After a member is nominated for the Ring of Honor, the IRE Board of Directors reviews the nomination. If the nomination is approved, friends and family launch a fundraising campaign in the nominee's honor. A minimum of $2,500 in donations must be raised for a nominee to be inducted into the Ring of Honor.

The board approved Read’s nomination at the June 14 board meeting. You can support Read’s nomination by making a donation. Please specify that your donation is for Bob Read.

Supporters have two years to raise the funds. Read could be inducted as soon as the IRE conference June 20-23, 2024, in Anaheim, California.

Tax-deductible donations to the Ring of Honor memorialize the legacy of these influential mentors and newsroom leaders while financially supporting the next generation of investigative journalists. Fellowships allow qualified recipients to access IRE benefits, such as attending conferences, participating in training and networking with other investigative journalists.

To nominate someone for the IRE Ring of Honor, fill out a short nomination form available under the "Donate" link on the IRE website.

If you have questions or want more information, send an email to Anna Lopez at anna@ire.org.