Initially attending Pennsylvania State University, Godfrey was called to duty during the Korean War, and served for 2 1⁄2 years as an office administrator stationed in Japan.

Returning after the war, Godfrey earned degrees in Journalism and Public Relations from the University of Maryland, College Park in 1958.

[1] Ralph Renick hired Godfrey in 1959 as a news film photographer at Miami, Florida's WTVJ "Channel 4" television station.

[2] The station was known for its groundbreaking, award-winning documentaries and other long-form news coverage at a time when only national broadcast networks were producing such fare.

This was the first time news cameras had been allowed inside Florida mental hospitals, having been granted permission by then Governor Farris Bryant.

In 1969, the fifth episode was an in-depth look at the financial difficulties that had forced the Houston Independent School District to end kindergarten classes.

[9] The seventh episode featured film footage of the 1900 Galveston hurricane produced by Thomas Edison and suggested the 8,000 dead (at that time the worst natural disaster in America) might be overshadowed by the then current drought in Houston.

[10] An end-of-the-year episode which aired on December 23, 1969, featured 30 Minutes host Ron Stone showcasing "the most meaningful events" in Houston's history, then "the US south's largest city".

The episode featured an interview with CBS News' Walter Cronkite who pointed out what he felt "was the most significant single happening during the 'Sixties".

[15] The documentary, written by reporter Ron Stone[16] earned a 52 share of the evening Houston television viewing audience and praise from local media.

I quickly apprenticed myself to the best news photographer in the shop, recording sound for his documentaries, assisting him through the all night edit sessions, soaking up the craft".

Godfrey's Evening magazine news show concept was copied a year later and successfully syndicated across America by Westinghouse Broadcasting".

[22] Godfrey also immediately had his office renovated in his singular glass-walled style, the design symbolizing his philosophy of open management, saying "...I'm not close-minded".

[27] At the awards ceremony, WSB reporters, producers and news anchors "all made a point of thanking Godfrey, a man who would never say anything on his own behalf".

At the 1982 Society of Professional Journalists, Sigma Delta Chi annual convention, Godfrey predicted "greater localization of newscasts in the future" and complained about the additional costs of then new satellite uplink dishes, saying he was using his "because he's been told to, but he thinks the cost should be charged to programming instead of news, because it's mostly used as a programming tool".

Premiering in May, the half-hour show aired at 5:00 pm and featured WAVE news anchor Jackie Hays.

The move was a bold and decisive effort to re-establish WAVE's news image in the face of some recent ratings reversals.

Godfrey was chosen by his peer fellows after being nominated by leaders of the Society of Professional Journalists based on "his past achievements in the broadcast field".

Larry Scharff, RTNDA's general counsel for many years, said of Godfrey "I can tell you that (Ed) was devoted to RTDNA and its great causes of the First Amendment and the betterment of electronic journalism.

The decision was made by Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger, who explained "the ban was imposed because the safety of journalists could not be guaranteed".

1917, which sought to abolish the Fairness Doctrine, a policy that required the holders of broadcast licenses both to present controversial issues of public importance and to do so in a manner that was honest, equitable, and balanced.

Godfrey said that, although the media do not usually disclose rape victims' names, privacy interests of witnesses and jurors are generally secondary to the constitutional right to a fair and public trial.

"If cameras had not been present in the Massachusetts trial, the case would still have received extensive but indirect and less reliable coverage in newspapers, magazines and newscasts".

Godfrey continued, saying that 30 states allowed radio and television access to criminal trials so that "we no longer have to rely on sketches and what the reporters thought they heard".

[39] In a summary letter addressed to Subcommittee Chair Arlen Specter, Godfrey said "Trials will be covered by the electronic media with or without cameras and microphones inside the courtroom, The length of such coverage will be determined by the news value of what happened that day.

Remembering Godfrey, Bell said, "I wouldn't have ended up in Louisville without his faith in my work and his gruff, marine-style, professional critiques and support!".

[42] Linda Broadus – former corporate spokesperson for Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky.Broadus was a newsroom researcher for WAVE News' investigative reports.

In 2011, Regan received the George Foster Peabody Award for Excellence after uncovering the link between radiation exposure and cancer among veterans.

[50][51] Michael Sullivan – Broadcast journalist and Executive Producer of Special Projects, PBS' FRONTLINE.One of Godfrey's news and documentary cameramen at KGW-TV, Sullivan moved on to Minneapolis' WCCO-TV as executive producer of WCCO's investigative I-Team and co-produced four FRONTLINE projects before joining the series.

[54] Kirstie Wilde – former television news reporter and anchor[55] Godfrey hired her as the first female floor director at KGW.