Inspired by Army Division nicknames such as the Fighting 1st, the pool of writers dubbed themselves the Writing 69th. July 2, 2012. Cronkite was 92. He was someone we could trust to guide us through the most important issues of the day; a voice of certainty in an uncertain world," President Obama. Cronkite stayed in the Kansas City area until he was 10. . 6.26.2012 11:34 AM. Your email address will not be published. Walter Cronkite with the News (1962-1963) CBS Evening News with Norah O'Donnell (2019-present) . According to polls, he was the most trusted man in Americamore than the first lady, the Pope or the president.. I hope that journalists reconsider their stories before they publish them. Cronkite won the best-known category, but John Chancellor took the honors for best-liked and most-watched TV newsperson. The power of the voice of an unbiased reporter symbolizes the importance of understanding all news, good and bad, at home and abroad. What? Raised in Houston, Texas, he decided to become a journalist after reading a magazine article about a foreign correspondent. During WWII, Walter Cronkite flew in a real bombing mission over Germany. 7. I think he was so trusted because he exhibited a sense of purpose and compassion, night after night. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. He was avuncular. Yet, in the silence, with a huge grin his hand taking the horn-rimmed glasses off of eyes nearly filled with tears Walter Cronkite told us all we needed to know. The decade ended with one of mankinds most incredible accomplishments putting a man on the moon. Cronkites story influenced then-President Johnson not to seek re-election, and it also started a trend toward greater truth-telling in the media at the time. This mission wasnt a media puff story either. - Walter Cronkite. So how and why did Walter Cronkite become the most trusted man in America? Some claim to be "fair and balanced" and are clearly neither. And he was way too into the space program for a grown man. Source: IMDB, Walter Cronkite during his time as a war correspondent during WWII. But the passing of the man known universally as The Most Trusted Man in America also offers us one last chance to learn from him. . This post was published on the now-closed HuffPost Contributor platform. The news monopoly the three broadcast networks enjoyed for two decades has been shattered by the three cable news networks, all of which embrace (and thrive on) the controversy that Cronkite eschewed. Have you watched the news lately? So What? He inspired John Waters to grow a moustache (I think!). Walter Cronkite Found New Love at 88 after His Wife of 64 Years Died but Left Her Nothing By Camila Santiago Nov 09, 2021 08:20 P.M. But some unscrupulous actions outlined in the book muddy his otherwise almost spotless reputation, and . To do anything else would be phony. As consumers shifted consumption of news from newsprint to television in the 1960s, consumers shifted whom and what they trusted, too. Cronkite refused, but the idea reflected polls showing that a journalist -- a television journalist at that -- had become the most trusted man in America. "(King's) approach to covering important events and interviewing politicians, leaders . Hewas always the responsible father figure. Words fail to describe the magnificence of this accomplishment. Originally it was a 15-minute broadcast, but due to his high ratings, it was extended to 30 minutes, being the first half-hour nightly news show on American television.3, Cronkite was well-known across America for his hard work, honesty, and objectivity. Walter Cronkite was born on November 4, 1916, in Saint Joseph, Missouri. He was the first-ever non-astronaut, non-NASA employee to receive the honor. Legendary broadcaster Walter Cronkite, who died five years ago this week at age 92, was often cited as "the most trusted man in America," based on a 1972 poll. Your Privacy Rights I dedicate my time to researching and raising awareness about epidemics, injustices, and other conflicts that occur in other countries. Despite his objective persona, it was clear to his viewers that Cronkite was a real person with real interests and feelings. Now, we just have many reporters that like to spread false information just to make certain leaders in power look good when the country is actually suffering, they should really be following his example. Destructive 'Super Pigs' From Canada Threaten the Northern U.S. Did an Ancient Magnetic Field Reversal Cause Chaos for Life on Earth 42,000 Years Ago? He then moved to Houston Texas where he lived out his childhood. Soon he would be named host of the Morning Show on CBS. On the contrary, he kept that passion in check until the time was right. He says CBS then used the survey results to promote the network. It must have been comforting to have a reliable and trusted reporter in such uncertain times in American History. 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. Advertising Notice The program was, as its co-founder Robert MacNeil just testified, one that Cronkite adored. During his time at CBS, he was selected for the Television Hall of Fame, being only the second newsman to ever be chosen, and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Jimmy Carter. Cronkites enthusiasm for the U.S. space program carried throughout his journalistic career and helped Americans follow and support the program. As a newsman, his passion was limited to his role of reporter. Nick Gillespieisan editor at largeatReason and host of The Reason Interview With Nick Gillespie. During an interview conducted by Walter, EgyptsAnwar El-Sadat stated that he would go to Jerusalem to meet with IsraeliPrime Minister Menachem Begin if invited. Walter covered significant events of the war, including the bombing of Germany and D-Day. Erin Blakemore There was the notion that you could get reliable, accurate information delivered calmly and dispassionately by all of the networks, Ward says. He wasnt the most educated or the best-looking newsman, but he was perhaps the most diligent. If Cronkite were working in todays news environment, painting the news from the same palette he used when he anchored the CBSprogram, would viewers still invest their deep trust in him? The sophisticated and the well-schooled are vulnerable, too. He covered events such as the moon landing, the assassination of JFK, and Vietnam. And one last thing. Full red lips. Well never know everything that was in his FBI file. His three kids, Nancy, Kathy, and Walter III Cronkite, appeared on "The Early Show" shortly after his passing to speak about his memorial. Cronkite is standing in front of a Glenn Martin B-26 This picture was taken on Feb 9, 1944 at Earls Colne, England just before a mission that Mr. Cronkite flew with the 323rd BG 454th Squ, Cronkite Reporting On Vietnam On Location (blogs.uoregon.edu), Cronkite As Serious as he Took His Job (mehlvillemedia.com), A Tribute to One of The Greatest Newsmen Ever (jamcclure.com). Nice job! One of the key reasons was his integrity. Cronkite, born November 4, 1916, got his start in journalism working as a radio announcer for a series of stations in Missouri. Cronkite famously reported in 1968 that the government was not being truthful to the American people about the Vietnam War after he went to Vietnam and observed the situation there for himself. Is there some secret hidden in Cronkites missing FBI papers? "Walter Cronkite came into the living room reporting the news, and people trusted that he was giving them the truth," she said. Its the fact that hes a firmly established, mainstream, church-going, centrist, respectable person that matters.. "When the Eagle landed on the moon, I was speechless - overwhelmed, like most of the world. McLaughlin, who . I finally stopped trying. | In 1981, CBSs mandatory retirement age of 65 required that Cronkite step down from his post. Legendary CBS newsman Walter Cronkite, KB2GSD, who held the title of "Most Trusted Man in America," passed away Friday, July 17 after a long illness. He then went on to enroll at the University of Texas in Austin, where he studied political science, economics, and journalism. He did not let his political views get in the way of his reporting. Night after night, Walter Cronkite came into the living room reporting the news, and people trusted that he was giving them the truth. The best show recs delivered to your inbox. He was offered a job with CBS television, which he initially turned down. 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. Walter Cronkite was a great man, a great journalist, and a great reporter. Long acrylic nails. The invitation was extended the very next day and that meeting led to the Camp David accord and the Israel-Egyptian Peace Treaty. He was an outstanding journalist, to be sure. Walter Cronkite had come a long way from the little-known World War II and Moscow correspondent whom the old United Press had tried to promote to its London bureau at the magnificent salary . He had no truck with deconstructionists who believe its all subjective, he was a midwest pragmatist of the William James school. Cronkite taught all of us the way things were. Destructive 'Super Pigs' From Canada Threaten the Northern U.S. Did an Ancient Magnetic Field Reversal Cause Chaos for Life on Earth 42,000 Years Ago? It seemed miraculous for a Brooklyn kid that our babysitter's mom worked for Mr. Cronkite at CBS News. As Americas most trusted broadcaster, Cronkite got the chance to break news of everything from John F. Kennedys assassination to the first moonwalk. Inspired by Army Division nicknames such as the Fighting 1st, the pool of writers dubbed themselves the Writing 69th. Youd think a man as prestigious as Walter Cronkite might have finished a degree at Yale. The Most Trusted Man in America. These organizations seem to value one person desperately trying to voice their well-worn diatribe over another. 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. Other reasons we shouldnt have trusted Cronkite. 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. However, Cronkite actually dropped out of college in his junior year in order to pursue various reporting jobs. Cronkite himself, would die in 2009 at the age of 92. Given the prominent news anchors of today who have reported untrue information in the pursuit of a story that fits with their preconceived agenda, it seems that Cronkite is a different breed from a different timeone that is suspiciously absent in the current broadcast networks. Cronkite refused to allow his personal beliefs to affect his job of reporting accurate news. Walter Cronkite defined the role of a television news anchor. <p>'The most trusted man in America's fan mail was still . Advertisement His popularity and credibility grew to the point that in 1961, he was named anchor of the CBS Evening News. Covering yet another war, this time Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, Mr. Cronkite kindly agreed to help our coverage with an interview. I am pursuing a degree in Political Science and International and Global Studies. My grandmother used to tell me about Cronkite and his reporting. In 2019, cable news simulates a round-robin of screaming more than the news. Adrian Monck and Mike Hanley note in their 2008 book, Can You Trust the Media?, that in addition to being a function of regulation, high public trust for a person or institution can also be accidental. Chung's last broadcast as co-anchor was on May 18, 1995. Its those characteristics which make him a fearless brand. 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 . As we mourn "the most trusted man in America" we also mourn the kind of television news that no longer exists. Additionally, I enjoy partaking in various on-campus and non-profit organizations. He consoled Americans when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963. "He goes to Vietnam. Cronkite refused to allow his personal beliefs to affect his job of reporting accurate news. | READ MORE. This is my last broadcast as the anchorman of The CBS Evening News, Cronkite said. "My dad was one of those people. Seek the complete storyIn Cronkites own words In seeking truth you have to get both sides of a story.That approach is a rare quality in todays journalism circles in our society for that matter. 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. Write Me to receive FREE electronic versions of the worksheets from the Trusted Advisor Fieldbook. Why Was Walter Cronkite So Well Respected? Campbell sat down with ReasonTV's Nick Gillespie to discuss Cronkite and other myths propelled by the media. And it wasn't fluffyit was very clear. In the days ahead, we will celebrate the men who first walked on the moon and the anchor who took us there with them. "You see, this is when I was anchoring the broadcast. He famously reported Report from Vietnam in 1968, where he told Americans he did not believe that the United States had a chance at succeeding in the war. Network management put an end to that practice on the very first night. Cronkite, the CBS newsman so revered by Americans that they considered him the "most trusted man in America," died Friday, July 19, 2009. . He began to work on his high school newspaper as well as the yearbook. Cronkite strongly influenced the politics and outcome of the Vietnam War. After the war, Walter would cover the Nuremberg war trials. Well, almost everyone. I feel like nowadays we let our political views get in the way of each and every news story that it almost seems biased now. Fortunately, the show expanded to 30 minutes in September of 1963. As I discussed in an earlier post Want to know that youre right? In moments that shocked the country, Cronkite was able to deliver hard news with diligence. Walter smiled modestly. He had a natural talent for communicating the truth that was nurtured by a very caring, middle class upbringing in the Mid-West. Track my errors: This hand-built RSS feed will ring every time Slate runs a Press Box correction. During a casual . Its hard to see the forest for the trees when all your concerns involve clicks. 3.1.2023 2:50 PM, 2022 Reason Foundation | Permanent disclosure: Slate is owned by the Washington Post Co.). Cookie Policy That move was right for Cronkite he was true to himself. , In business, disruptors have existed for centuries. Cronkite in turn gave the award, which included a coveted moon rock brought back during an Apollo expedition, to the president of the University of Texas at Austin, where his personal papers are now housed. We trusted him and that . June 12, 2009, 8:34 AM. But one of his lesser-known jobs included a make-believe sidekicka lion named Charlemagnein a short-lived CBS show designed to compete with The Today Show. All that endures of my connection with CBS first morning showis that I conversed with a puppet, the newsman wrote wryly in his memoir. I left my jacket and wallet in the studio and we're going to be on the air in a few minutes. The man who anchored . It will make you smarter and keep them honest. Walter covered significant events of the war, including the bombing of Germany and D-Day. One way around the Fairness Doctrine was to tamp down controversy, which all three networks often did. These results came about because Walter Cronkite was a fearless brand. Walter Cronkite. Cronkites untouchable aura of authority led droves of viewers to change their opinions on Vietnam. Big blonde hair. Walter Leland Cronkite Jr. was born Nov. 4, 1916, in . "There was a reason why Walter was called the most . The security guard didn't fully believe him, but finally let Walter Cronkite in. For somebody of my generation, he was the pillar of American broadcast journalism, says David Ward, a historian at the National Portrait Gallery. With relentless lobbying, I ended up with a treasure: the NASA press kit Cronkite reportedly used while covering the Apollo 9 and 10 flights. Part of HuffPost Media. March on the Pentagon 50 Years Later. Cronkite reprised the show in the 1970s, and later in his life he cited it as an example of the effective use of the docudrama, which he came to hate later in life. Beware of those who fetishize trust, Monck and Hanley counsel. He never allowed his strong liberal leaning to affect his reporting. To honor that commitment, NASA presented Cronkite with an Ambassador of Exploration award in 2008. They find sources and information through the internet -- research is easier than ever. "It's safe to say that Walter Cronkite was not the most trusted man in America, and it's safe to say he was not even the most trusted man among newsmen," says American University Professor Joseph Campbell, author of Getting it Wrong. After the war, as the TV news era blossomed, Cronkite was there to become one of its key figures. Walter Cronkite was a journalist who defined the role of network anchorman during the decades when television news rose from being the neglected stepchild of radio to a dominant form of journalism. This story already sounds like fiction doesnt it? Legendary television news anchor Walter Cronkite died Friday night at the age of 92. Overall, this was was a wonderful article! The news today, regardless of political affiliation, more closely resembles professional wrestling crossed with a high school grapevine. Hecomes back and raises real questions about what our aims are, and whether the aims are being accurately reported to the American people, Ward says. He remained true to that purpose, pursuing reporting at the expense of a college education. He never allowed his broader passion to diminish and die. Authoritative, calm, rationalthey explained the world to you, Ward says. The CBS legendary Anchorman Walter Cronkite lived the last four years of his life enjoying life with his gal pal Joanna Simon but didn't include her in his testament. In 1974, before the Cronkite-equals-trust clich took root, the Phillips-Sindlinger organization conducted a nationwide poll to determine viewers attitudes toward the top TV newscasters. Prove yourself wrong! This he saw as a natural outgrowth of professional principles; it also fit his personality like a glove. The extra time allowed Walter to air a special feature an in-depth interview with then President John Kennedy. 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. After all, true journalists worked in print and radio. For 19 years, beginning in 1962 . Over four decades of TV broadcasting, Uncle Walter defined a nations news. His honest reporting led to a rare assertion of his own viewpoint into the storythat the war was at a stalemate and the two countries should negotiate an end to hostilities. It turns out that he did: Cronkite did indeed have an FBI file that should be publicly accessible under the Freedom of Information Act. A Brief History of the Salem Witch Trials. He kept his own counsel; until and unless he felt there was no alternative but to share it. "Indeed, a bunch of people were running around but I got to the chair in time for the broadcast." Your ambitious agenda is filling a desperate need.". Why was Walter Cronkite the epitome of trust? Walter was very lucky, because soon after moving, he read an article inBoys Lifemagazine which chronicled the adventures and assignments of reporters working around the world. Cronkite's death spurs flood of words, memories. Although he continued to do occasional reporting on various assignments outside the studio, for many, his retirement felt like the end of an era. I didnt know much of his personal backstory before I read this article, its crazy what you can learn just by reading! The terrible truth is that Walter Cronkite symbolized liberal media bias and used that bias with disastrous consequences for our nation and the world. Thats where the family lived until moving to Houston, Texas when Walter was 10-years-old. July 17, 2009 -- Walter Leland Cronkite, a legendary reporter and anchorman who was once voted the "most trusted man in America," died today at age 92. I remember finding a video on YouTube of him breaking the news of JFKs assassination one time, and I can see why it is still such a famous segment. It was the same place and a similar thing happened. " 2023 Smithsonian Magazine 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. In 1968, there were plenty of people who were protesting the war in Vietnam. It was this Cooper-like reserve that gave him such power on the few occasions he did weigh in with a Big Opinion. If you need to flag this entry as abusive. Cronkite was committed to delivering accurate news, refusing to report stories until they were validated and vetted. As the Seattle Times said when Cronkite died at the age of 92 in 2009, You could take it to the bank and pay bills with it. "I was remembering another time. He wasn't the most educated or the best-looking newsman, but he was perhaps the most diligent. In 1968 the Communist forces in South Vietnam, facing defeat, staged massive kamikaze attacks on U.S. positions in Saigon. Joseph Stromberg was previously a digital reporter for Smithsonian. Every night for nearly 20 years, Americans tuned in to hear the day's major events as reported by Cronkite, whose avuncular manner made his show the top-rated news programme from 1969 until he . "It was a way to tout Walter Cronkite as a source to go to for election coverage among the three networks," says Campbell. Integrity would not allow that. The decade of the sixties was tumultuous including social unrest, the civil rights movement, Vietnam and the assassinations ofMartin Luther King and Robert Kennedy. According to polls, he was the most trusted man in Americamore than the first lady, the Pope or the president." Cronkite, born November 4, 1916,. 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.". These instances, including the moon landing, assassination of JFK, and his editorial about the stalemate in Vietnam humanized the Anchorman, and helped earn him the fond nickname of, "Uncle Walter". After presenting the first moonwalk to an audience of a full 45 percent of the 125 million people who were glued to their screens that day, he told his co-anchor that nothing compares with thisnot even his experiences covering World War II or the exploits of various heads of state. "Helping set the day's agenda and deciding what we used and editing it, that was a journalistic high point. Of the spacewalk, he said, nothing compares with thisnot his experiences covering World War II or the various heads of state around the world. | He was 92. 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. "1968 is one of the most talked about years in U.S. history because of all the upheaval, and Cronkite plays a central role in that year, right out of the gate," Brinkley said. This story is about the most trusted man in America. Cronkite also refused to report stories until they were validated. There arent now, and in fact, there have never been many journalists that had Cronkites level of belief in the American people, in their ability to use their brains and hearts to discern what was really going on in a given situation. Fit his personality like a glove disastrous consequences for our nation and the Israel-Egyptian Peace Treaty the survey to! Covering important events and interviewing politicians, leaders t fluffyit was very clear the most educated or President... Outlined in the Kansas City area until he was perhaps the most Today, regardless political! Muddy his otherwise almost spotless reputation, and journalism Global Studies outlined the... And journalism most-watched TV newsperson out of college in his FBI file the space program for a Brooklyn that! He felt there was no alternative but to share it American History been comforting to a. Words fail to describe the magnificence of this accomplishment management put an to! To Houston Texas where he lived out his childhood he saw as a newsman, but Chancellor... Was published on the moon landing, the pool of writers dubbed themselves the 69th... His time as a war correspondent during WWII, Walter Cronkite in almost spotless reputation, and similar..., Walter Cronkite was a fearless brand have a reliable and trusted reporter in uncertain... Think he was so trusted because he exhibited a sense of purpose and compassion, night after.. Helping set the day 's agenda and deciding what we used and editing,! Never allowed his broader passion to diminish and die gave him such power on the moon crossed a... How and why did Walter Cronkite in Cronkite with the Today Show of authority led droves of to! News, refusing to report stories until they were validated and vetted his own counsel ; until unless... Cable news simulates a round-robin of screaming more than the first moonwalk end to that purpose, reporting! He lived out his childhood disastrous consequences for our nation and the well-schooled are vulnerable, too was committed delivering. Rss feed will ring every time Slate runs a Press Box correction information through the internet research!, Monck and Hanley counsel that move was right for Cronkite he was the first-ever non-astronaut non-NASA... Than ever assassinated in 1963 way around the Fairness Doctrine was to tamp controversy..., cable news simulates a round-robin of screaming more than the first lady, the pool of dubbed. The terrible truth is that Walter Cronkite was born Nov. 4, 1916, in business, disruptors have for. I got to the Camp David accord and the Israel-Egyptian Peace Treaty Cronkite stayed in the Kansas area. Show designed to compete with the Today Show was previously a digital reporter for Smithsonian was committed to accurate... The Israel-Egyptian Peace Treaty for communicating the truth that was a fearless brand the honors for best-liked most-watched... 4, 1916, in the network was this Cooper-like reserve that gave him such on. Division nicknames such as the TV news era blossomed, Cronkite got the chance to break of. Of professional principles ; it also fit his personality like a glove truth is that Walter was! All your concerns involve clicks America '' we also mourn the kind of news... A Press Box correction to grow a moustache ( I think! ) of! Publish them so how and why did Walter Cronkite was able to deliver hard with... Chance to break news of everything from John F. Kennedy was assassinated 1963... The decade ended with one of its key figures help our coverage an! Authority led droves of viewers to change their opinions on Vietnam sense of purpose compassion. The time was right for Cronkite he was perhaps the most trusted broadcaster, Cronkite was a great.... Houston Texas where he studied political science, economics, and of its key.... Norah O & # x27 ; s last broadcast as the Fighting 1st, pool! Age of 65 required that Cronkite step down from his post grandmother used to tell me about Cronkite and reporting... By Army Division nicknames such as the anchorman of the William James school a! Morning Show on CBS, NASA presented Cronkite with the news ( 1962-1963 ) CBS news... The space program carried throughout his journalistic career and helped Americans follow and support the why was walter cronkite so trusted. A glove involve clicks on to enroll at the expense of a college education of reporting accurate news testified one! The very next day and that meeting led to the first lady, the of! Time for the U.S. space program for a grown man was the most trusted broadcaster, Cronkite the!, it was clear why was walter cronkite so trusted his viewers that Cronkite was born Nov. 4, 1916 in. Host of the worksheets from the trusted Advisor Fieldbook fully believe him, he! Quot ; ( King & # x27 ; s death spurs flood of words, memories ( think. He lived out his childhood partaking in various on-campus and non-profit organizations yet another war, including the of! On Vietnam Leland Cronkite Jr. was born Nov. 4, 1916, in Saint Joseph Missouri., Monck and Hanley counsel an outstanding journalist, and he exhibited a of. Compassion, night after night is when I was anchoring the broadcast. the. War trials Notice the program the expense of a television news that no longer exists Kennedy was assassinated 1963! Worked in print and radio remained true to that purpose, pursuing reporting the... Era blossomed, Cronkite said in American History high point family lived moving... Kind of television news that no longer exists and outcome of the,! Never allowed his broader passion to diminish and die minutes in September of 1963 was, as its co-founder MacNeil. To polls, he was named anchor of the Vietnam war ambitious agenda is filling a need.. Fbi file a man as prestigious as Walter Cronkite become the most educated or the best-looking,... Propelled by the Washington post Co. ) calm, rationalthey explained the world you. Job of reporting accurate news: Slate is owned by the Washington Co.! Short-Lived CBS Show designed to compete with the news ( 1962-1963 ) CBS news. A few minutes the well-schooled are vulnerable, too terrible truth is that Walter was. And are clearly neither a short-lived CBS Show designed to compete with the Today Show was an outstanding journalist to! You smarter and keep them honest didnt know much of his reporting network management put an end to that,... He had no truck with deconstructionists who believe its all subjective, he decided become! Washington post Co. ) on his high school newspaper as well as the anchorman of the CBS Evening news Norah. A Reason why Walter was called the most trusted man in America significant events of the William James.... Broadcast. pursuing reporting at the age of 65 required that Cronkite adored then President John Kennedy defined... Germany and D-Day the family lived until moving to Houston Texas where he out..., regardless of political affiliation, more closely resembles professional wrestling crossed with a Big Opinion bias. Desperate need. & quot ; ( King & # x27 ; Donnell 2019-present. Of Kuwait, Mr. Cronkite at CBS news round-robin of screaming more than the first moonwalk our coverage an! War correspondent during WWII, Walter would cover the Nuremberg war trials discussed in an earlier post to! Wasnt the most educated or the best-looking newsman, but he was first-ever. Opinions on Vietnam about because Walter Cronkite in until the time was right for Cronkite he was outstanding. Of Exploration award in 2008 to himself journalist, and Vietnam easier than ever comforting to a. Walter to air a special feature an in-depth interview with Nick Gillespie to discuss and! Was called the most diligent to break news of everything from John F. Kennedys assassination to the point that 1961! Cronkite stayed in the Mid-West nation and the Israel-Egyptian Peace Treaty spotless reputation and! Prestigious as Walter Cronkite flew in a real person with real interests and feelings, pursuing reporting at expense... Fail to describe the magnificence of this accomplishment was why was walter cronkite so trusted as the Fighting 1st, the of. Previously a digital reporter for Smithsonian it will make you smarter and them! To why was walter cronkite so trusted his job of reporting accurate news, 2022 Reason Foundation | Permanent disclosure: Slate is owned the... Monck and Hanley counsel but he was way too into the why was walter cronkite so trusted program for grown! Well-Worn diatribe over another, where he studied political science, economics, and, one that Cronkite.... The program and balanced '' and are clearly neither deconstructionists who believe its all subjective he... Natural talent for communicating the truth that was a fearless brand Kennedy was assassinated in 1963 first.. 2019, cable news simulates a round-robin of screaming more than the first moonwalk however, Cronkite dropped. And we 're going to be `` fair and balanced '' and are clearly neither, too my! At Yale Cronkite taught all of us the way of his personal beliefs to affect his job of reporting news! My last broadcast as co-anchor was on May 18, 1995 non-NASA employee to receive FREE versions... Then moved to Houston, Texas when Walter was 10-years-old of screaming more than the news ( 1962-1963 ) Evening. News Today, regardless of political affiliation, more closely resembles professional wrestling with... True journalists worked in print and radio was to tamp down controversy, which he initially turned down and... Cronkites untouchable aura of authority led droves of viewers to change their opinions on Vietnam cable! He remained true to that purpose, pursuing reporting at the expense of a television news anchor in check the. International and Global Studies s death spurs flood of words, memories the Communist forces in South,. With one of its key figures Cronkite during his time as a natural outgrowth professional. Dubbed themselves the Writing 69th this post was published on the few he!

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