It was as if he enjoyed being reminded to remain humble, especially after all of the success and adulation he earned throughout his remarkable career. Its the beginning of the so-called credibility gap: whats being told at the briefing become known as the 5 oclock follies, because after awhile, nobody believes anything that officialdom is saying, says Ward. He claimed, "I built my reputation on honest, straightforward reporting. Slate is published by The Slate Group, a Graham Holdings Company. But some unscrupulous actions outlined in the book muddy his otherwise almost spotless reputation, and . He put forth his personal opinion, a luxury he denied himself in deference to the integrity of the news and his role. Walter Cronkite was at the center of a fascinating moment in the history of American mass media, and the television news that he came to embody was fleeting and highly unusualan attempt to produce serious journalism in a medium associated with escapism. Over four decades of TV broadcasting, Uncle Walter defined a nations news. Chung's last broadcast as co-anchor was on May 18, 1995. Read More. Charles L. Ponce de Leon February 1, 2013. His only agenda was his professionalism, about which he was quite clear. How did Cronkite join this popularity list in the first place? He teared up and showed emotion when he announced JFKs assassination as well. This is the process of discovering, embracing and delivering their greatest value which allows them to realize greater profit. Fearless Brands are committed to integrity and trustworthiness. The power of the voice of an unbiased reporter symbolizes the importance of understanding all news, good and bad, at home and abroad. An undated image of CBS newscaster Walter Cronkite, has his arm wrapped around wife, Betsy, arriving for a private party with his daughters Kathy and Nancy (right) at . Walters influence, trust and journalistic accomplishments he won virtually every award the industry offered set the standard for journalism for the nation and the world. Erin Blakemore After reading about Walter I am compelled to look into journalism as a career. One Womans Charge Change How News is Reported. In doing so, he could honestly sign off from each nights broadcast with the catchphrase, And thats the way it is, and his viewers could honestly believe it to be true. Cronkite has changed how people deliver news forever now. Cronkite did his level best not to let his own personal biaseswhatever they weredefine his career, and he actively worked against those biases to determine the truth as objectively as possible. Campbell says the 1972 survey that gave Cronkite the title of "Most Trusted Man" compared Cronkite with prominent politicians of the time, not newscasters, and so he "inevitably came out on top." Walter had that effect on people." Cronkite, who anchored "The CBS Evening News" from 1962 to 1981, died last week at the age of 92. If Cronkite were alive today, he would tearfully lament the political tribalism that permeates through news organizations. In the generation since he left the anchor desk at the CBS Evening News, there have been other public figures who inspire passion, devotion, confidence, intensity and . Without such faith, democracy cannot flourish. And every article, blog or TV clip mentions how Walter Cronkite was so trusted. Yet, much as I wished it might one day be my foot that stepped out beyond this Earth, being an astronaut didn't seem as much fun as doing what Walter Cronkite was doing. However, he said, his ad-libbed discussions with Charlemagne, who was played by legendary puppeteer Bil Baird, were remarkable for their depth, especially since puppets could express opinions humans were reluctant to make public. Cronkite first became synonymous with trust in 1972, when the Oliver Quayle and Co. poll included his name in a list of public figures to determine a trust index. Cronkite topped the rankings with 73 percent, which seemed impressive until you considered the skunks polled alongside him. He was a true ambassador for the program with a giant reach that no one in NASA could have had alone. Huntsburg said he grew up watching Cronkite, who, he said, "touched me." When he heard of Cronkite's death last Friday at 92, Huntsburg and his wife hadn't yet left from their home near Toronto . In 1971, Daniel Ellsberg, a former defense consultant, leaked the Pentagon Papers, a set of documents that provided evidence of systematic government wrongdoing and deception throughout the war. He said as much over and over, As journalists covering politics, most of us are aware of the necessity to try to be sure we're unbiased in our reporting. Thirteen years after my first attempt to work at CBS, I finally landed a job at the news network I was certain I'd work for. Veronique de Rugy In his day, truth mattered above all else. Authoritative, calm, rationalthey explained the world to you, Ward says. "Walter was always more than just an anchor. But when he joined the United Press and left the country to cover World War II, he made his mark as a journalist capable of reporting stories in difficult conditions. His three kids, Nancy, Kathy, and Walter III Cronkite, appeared on "The Early Show" shortly after his passing to speak about his memorial. Track my errors: This hand-built RSS feed will ring every time Slate runs a Press Box correction. Cronkite was well-known across America for his hard work, honesty, and objectivity. At the CBS News Broadcast Center, and throughout the news business, Walter Cronkite largely defined the ethical and journalistic standards that engendered the trust of a nation. By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. After graduating, Walter enrolled at the University of Texas, where he would study political science, economics and journalism in pursuit of becoming a reporter his dream career. His unassuming manner and sincerity were two reasons why people liked and trusted him so much. What were they? That's one of the fundamentals of good journalism., Its almost comical to think of todays broadcasters as you read this quote, On television, I tried to absolutely hew to the middle of the road and not show any prejudice or bias in any way., But for Cronkite, that was the deal -- or, to quote his famous sign-off line, "thats the way it is.". Your email address will not be published. However, once those limitations were removed, Cronkite allowed his passion to ignite. This means not just that he didn't tell lies, but that he was a truth-seekerhe sought to tell the whole truth. In 2005, Cronkite suffered a great loss when his wife Betsy died of cancer. During a casual . He was one of those rare folks who discovered their love and lifes purpose at a very young age. Headlines now titillate stories to fuel political dogmas, often voicing opinions that bear the semblance of truth but are far from it. I ran down to the lobby of the CBS News Broadcast Center to escort Mr. Cronkite to a studio. Be true to yourself and your profession Walter Cronkite realized his purpose early in life. Surface. His global experiences, his positive public presence, his attitude towards reporting the news truthfully and objectively, and his grandfatherly demeanor, all make him the prime dream team candidate. Being able to read an unbiased article, or watch an unbiased news reporter just seems non-existent in todays society. In moments that shocked the country, Cronkite was able to deliver hard news with diligence. Why was Walter Cronkite the epitome of trust? He became the host of the CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite. A Brief History of the Salem Witch Trials. Walter Cronkite with the News (1962-1963) CBS Evening News with Norah O'Donnell (2019-present) . Cronkite himself, would die in 2009 at the age of 92. Walter Cronkite was a great man, a great journalist, and a great reporter. Permanent disclosure: Slate is owned by the Washington Post Co.). Terms of Use During the 1960s and 1970s, he was often cited as "the most trusted man in America" after being so named in an opinion poll. Cronkite stood out from his peers because of his commitment to truth and objectivity in journalism. During that time, he reported on such subjects as the Kennedy assassinations, the Civil Rights . "There never was and there never will be another Walter Cronkite. Now, all . Subscribe to Reason Roundup, a wrap up of the last 24 hours of news, delivered fresh each morning. For me, its a moment for which I long have planned, but which, nevertheless, comes with some sadness. It was 1977. Cronkite is laughing now: "So, I tried to explain but the guard wouldn't budge. In todays multifaceted news environment, with hundreds of channels available on cable and thousands more potential news sources online, its difficult to imagine a single figure having as much impact on the public consciousness as Cronkite did. The Most Trusted. | READ MORE. He was the first-ever non-astronaut, non-NASA employee to receive the honor. Howard asked Paul about multiple instances where John Lennon had been cruel towards McCartney; didnt he feel treated unfairly, hurt, resentful, Howard asked? Cronkite also trusted the people to respond well to his truth-telling and to use their intelligence to evaluate his words. Click here to try out our award-winning content platform for free. Erin Blakemore is a Boulder, Colorado-based journalist. With quiet clarity and some ferocity, I let the security guard know the man before him was the Walter Cronkite, and we would not be showing him any identification and we would, right now, be on our way. Known as the "most trusted man in America," Cronkite made his mark on . With the help of our community staff & student interns; we interview, document, and create content for global viewing. He began his career with a commitment to journalism as well. Cronkites integrity was a barrier to manipulation of the news by politicians and the public alike. He studied hard but left school when he realized that he had all he needed to make a living in Journalism. It was very enjoyable reading about him. "And thats the way it is" was his aspirational statementto state the truth, which he felt was independent of our knowledge of itand to share it with the rest of us. Theres the famous moment where he starts to lose his composure, and he takes his glasses off, as he shares the news with the nation., One of the main elements of Cronkites appeal, though, was the fact that he presented the days news with an objectivity and reserve that Americans expected in anchormen at the time. The show was noteworthy not just for its creative spin on historical events: It was also a haven for writers whose names had made it onto Hollywoods black list because of their un-American activities., Three blacklisted screenwriters contributed more than50 of the shows scripts, including many thinly veiled depictions of literal and figurative witch hunts like the trial of Galileo. McLaughlin, who . 3.1.2023 5:00 PM, Emma Camp He remained true to that purpose, pursuing reporting at the expense of a college education. However, people like me will still tell his story for it's one that we can all learn from as someone from the middle of nowhere, who dropped out of college, became one of the most trustful figures in American history. What? And it wasnt fluffyit was very clear. He consoled Americans when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963. The news today, regardless of political affiliation, more closely resembles professional wrestling crossed with a high school grapevine. Walter Leland Cronkite . Terms Of Use, The Government Is Subsidizing Microchip FirmsWhile Making It More Expensive To Produce Microchips, Fox's Excuses Reinforce Dominion's Defamation Case, FDA Cracks Down on Animal Tranquilizer That Is Sometimes Mixed With Fentanyl, Ohio Woman Says Cops Broke Her Wrist for Recording During Traffic Stop, DeSantis' Disney Drama Turns Culture War Into Political Gains. The news business has both expanded and fragmented in the post-Cronkite, post-Fairness Doctrine era. Walter Cronkite was as much a performer as today's cable-news anchors. Indeed, his modesty and his dedication were the reasons his wide audience liked him so much and trusted him. Cronkite, born November 4, 1916, got his start in journalism working as a radio announcer for a series of stations in Missouri. The CBS Evening news with Walter Cronkite realized his purpose early in life,! Seems non-existent in todays society of news, delivered fresh each morning to and. Evening news with Norah O & # x27 ; s last broadcast as co-anchor was on May,! News business has both expanded and fragmented in the first place far from.. 18, 1995 RSS feed will ring every time Slate runs a Press Box correction ; interview... Rugy in his day, truth mattered above all else # x27 ; last... News ( 1962-1963 ) CBS Evening news with Norah O & # x27 ; s cable-news.. Out our award-winning content platform for free so, I tried to explain but the would! List in the first place work, honesty, and a great man a! 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