Uncle Walters word was gold.. 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. As a newsman, his passion was limited to his role of reporter. This story already sounds like fiction doesnt it? For more than a month, his close friends and family made it clear the former CBS News anchorman was gravely ill and would not recover. Coach, International Speaker and Thought Partner - Bills mission is to add value to the world one brand at a time. In 1950, Cronkite joined CBS News and hosted several CBS shows, such as You are There, The Morning Show, and The Twentieth Century. It turns out that he did: Cronkite did indeed have an FBI file that should be publicly accessible under the Freedom of Information Act. This is my last broadcast as the anchorman of The CBS Evening News, Cronkite said. Just days ago, I paged through this relic: amazed at the audacity of the race to the moon and the memory of Cronkite's undisguised glee as Neil Armstrong touched the surface of a new world. Speaking of papers, youd think that given Cronkites status as one of the worlds most respected and well-traveled public figures, hed draw special attention from the FBI. The broadcast was just moments away. Cronkite covered nearly every American manned spaceflight from 1961 to 1981. Walter Cronkite was the embodiment of true journalism factual, genuine, fair and accurate reporting. Cronkite himself, would die in 2009 at the age of 92. Part of HuffPost Media. A student organization of St. Marys University of San Antonio, Texas, featuring scholarly research, writing, and media from students of all disciplines. It is nice to know that at one point we had a news reporter who cared about honest straightforward reporting and avoided involving his own political views about events that were occurring in America and outside the country. Because he did. Fearless Brands are committed to integrity and trustworthiness. | It doesnt gauge truth, it gauges what looks close to the truth: verisimilitude, they write. | Well never know everything that was in his FBI file. In order to tell you the full story of how he became the most trusted man in America, Ill have to go to the beginning. A few weeks later he announced that . "When the Eagle landed on the moon, I was speechless - overwhelmed, like most of the world. So What? That element of implicit authority, we just dont have anymore.. Entering the 1950s, both his heart and career were in full bloom. He began his career with a commitment to journalism as well. Cronkite also trusted the people to respond well to his truth-telling and to use their intelligence to evaluate his words. 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. Hewas always the responsible father figure. He left school to work for the Houston Post, moved onto sports reporting in Oklahoma City and eventually was hired by United Press International (UPI). We trusted him and that . Learning just how tirelessly Cronkite worked to discover the truth and report it as well as he could, its easy to see how he earned his famous epithet. Reading about Walter Cronkite was very interesting since he was an fascinating man who took his passion to the next level, I really enjoyed reading this article. 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.". If so, you owe something to Walter CronkiteAmerica's uncle and the most influential broadcast journalist of all time. I cant add much to the list of eloquent obituaries for Walter Cronkite, other than to say I agree with them. . He studied hard but left school when he realized that he had all he needed to make a living in Journalism. need to know a little bit about a lot of things, so journalism schools should focus on liberal arts. Cronkites interest, which developed into passion and then a career that led him down a historic path will likely not be forgotten for some time, just the same as the journalistic work he did allowed American citizens to be informed and remember important developments in the country and in the world. 3.1.2023 4:21 PM, Eric Boehm He passed away when I was a freshman in college, but I can't help thinking of him today because I know he would be so proud of this moment. 3.2.2023 12:01 AM, Jacob Sullum The February 1968 assessment by Walter Cronkite, the anchor of the CBS Evening News (known as "the most trusted man in America"), that the conflict was "mired in stalemate" was seen by many as the signal of a sea change in reporting about Vietnam, and it is said to have inspired Pres. He truly laid out the foundation of what great newscasters should be like. 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. What wont diminish are the lessons which can be learned from Cronkite about building a brand and achieving success. He put forth his personal opinion, a luxury he denied himself in deference to the integrity of the news and his role. Throughout it all, his sign-off line, And thats the way it is became Americas favorite catchphrase.6 Then, a 1972 public opinion poll named Cronkite the most trusted man in America., After his retirement as the CBS Evening News anchor in 1981, he continued his periodic series for the CBS News science magazine, Walter Cronkites Universe, and he hosted Walter Cronkites 20th Century until 1992. McLaughlin, who . "It was a way to tout Walter Cronkite as a source to go to for election coverage among the three networks," says Campbell. No cable news. 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. How so? Of course, in addition to setting the news agenda, the network news desks were considered sources of authority to a degree that is unimaginable today. Joseph Stromberg was previously a digital reporter for Smithsonian. This means not just that he didn't tell lies, but that he was a truth-seekerhe sought to tell the whole truth. What do you think? Cronkite has changed how people deliver news forever now. I am currently a senior at St. Marys University in San Antonio, Texas. "Whew, boy, " he said, as Armstrong descended the ladder. 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. "Helping set the day's agenda and deciding what we used and editing it, that was a journalistic high point. The decade of the sixties was tumultuous including social unrest, the civil rights movement, Vietnam and the assassinations ofMartin Luther King and Robert Kennedy. His popularity and credibility grew to the point that in 1961, he was named anchor of the CBS Evening News. Id be selling myself and not the news.4 He uncovered unpredictable events that affected the minds of millions of Americans. Cronkite's Big Three Trust Factors #1 - Honesty. Yet the "most trusted man in America" seemed rather pleased he wasn't recognized at his own front door. Ever genial and humble, Walter Cronkite laughed. (E-mail may be quoted by name in The Fray, Slates readers forum; in a future article; or elsewhere unless the writer stipulates otherwise. Reading the encomiums in his honorand watching the raw man-in-the-street interviews Friday nightthere is a clear hierarchy of what people meant when they said they trusted Walter Cronkite. There was the notion that you could get reliable, accurate information delivered calmly and dispassionately by all of the networks, Ward says. It isn't enough to say that he was the "most trusted man in America," as. 3.1.2023 5:35 PM, Joe Lancaster The invitation was extended the very next day and that meeting led to the Camp David accord and the Israel-Egyptian Peace Treaty. 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 did not let his political views get in the way of his reporting. In my opinion, Walter Cronkite is the epitome of ethical and effective journalism. And every article, blog or TV clip mentions how Walter Cronkite was so trusted. In the early 1970s, an opinion poll identified Cronkite as the most trusted public figure in America, a label that stayed with him for decades. During that time, he reported on such subjects as the Kennedy assassinations, the Civil Rights . 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? Embrace Cronkites approach be true to yourself and your profession, be fair, commit to a life of integrity be a fearless brand. It was his integrity and commitment to fair reporting which established him as the most trusted man in America. | Riding the Shark Conquering Fear in Selling. Cronkite is famous not only for his impartiality and journalistic integrity, but the few recorded instances of emotion he expressed on air. Walter Cronkite was the face and the voice of CBS News as an anchor for more than 30 years, and his reporting earned him the label of the most trusted man in America. He reported on what became some of the most historic news stories of his time: JFKs assassination, the Vietnam War, and Watergate, to name just a few. He wasnt the most educated or the best-looking newsman, but he was perhaps the most diligent. Permanent disclosure: Slate is owned by the Washington Post Co.). "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. Terms of Use "Walter Cronkite came into the living room reporting the news, and people trusted that he was giving them the truth," she said. Other reasons we shouldnt have trusted Cronkite. A key to being a fearless brand is having conviction of self. That is simply basic journalism. Sadly thats a rather quaint concept today. Learn everything you can about a topic to ensure that you are known as a valid and trusted resource. Integrity would not allow that. It was 1977. 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. By Louis Menand. But it was Walter Cronkite and the team of journalists he inspired that brought the rest of us to the Moon. Now, all . Click here to try out our award-winning content platform for free. Walter Leland Cronkite . There, he became an overseas war correspondent during World War II, where he reported on German bombing raids and the invasion of North Africa, and he was eventually appointed the chief correspondent for the Nuremberg trials.2, Upon his return to the United States, Cronkite had caught the attention of many American news networks, including the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS). In addition I was also inspired to how much of a difference a journalist can truly make. A new biography of Walter Cronkite reveals the less trustworthy side of the most trusted man in America. By then, Mr. Cronkite had retired. Known as the most trusted man in America, Cronkite made his mark on a fledgling industry and earned a legendary spot in the affections of generations of viewers. Quite simply, people trusted what they used, not vice versa, Monck and Hanley write. 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. I did not not who Walter Cronkite was before reading your article, but have learned a lot about him after reading it. In the days ahead, we will celebrate the men who first walked on the moon and the anchor who took us there with them. So how and why did Walter Cronkite become . Thats where the family lived until moving to Houston, Texas when Walter was 10-years-old. 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. As a broadcaster, Cronkite built this reputation by doing something that many of todays broadcasters and media personalities refuse to dodiscount personal biases and strive to tell the simple truth in their news coverage. Cronkite also refused to report stories until they were validated. A rocket, more than 350-feet tall, lifted the astronauts into space. His story came to an end in 2009 when he passed away at the age of 92. "Everybody knew that Walter didn't get his suntan in the studio lights." Cronkite. 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. "He was always the responsible father figure. He remained true to that purpose, pursuing reporting at the expense of a college education. 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. Host Steven Scheuer interviews television anchor and broadcast journalist Walter Cronkite, "the most trusted man in America," about his time as a journalist . Like Cronkite, integrity and honesty are at the core of Media Showers approach to communication. http://www.oldsaintjo.com/. "(King's) approach to covering important events and interviewing politicians, leaders . Cronkite was a firm believer in doing what is fair. And they'll be looking for me." These results came about because Walter Cronkite was a fearless brand. I dedicate my time to researching and raising awareness about epidemics, injustices, and other conflicts that occur in other countries. However, once those limitations were removed, Cronkite allowed his passion to ignite. Newsman Walter Cronkite, who died at the age of 92, was so thoroughly and uniquely linked with the word "trust" that it is tempting to say that the word should be buried with him. 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. From being an active reporter during World War II to traveling to Vietnam during the Vietnam War, he reported on the most historic events from the late twentieth century. 7. Charlemagne would be short-lived (Baird would go on to produce The Sound of Musics Lonely Goatherd sceneand other legendary puppet shows), but Cronkite was notand eventually he branched out into editorial work like his lion friend. For e-mail notification of errors in this specific column, type the word Cronkite in the subject head of an e-mail message, and send it to slate.pressbox@gmail.com. The Most Trusted Man in America didnt get there by calling himself the Most Trusted Man in America. But the lack of real-world experience has put perspective in short supply, and the public's interest in reading things that simply confirm their own views has put news outlets in a tough spot. Additionally, I enjoy partaking in various on-campus and non-profit organizations. Walter Cronkite was born on November 4, 1916, in Saint Joseph, Missouri. Without such faith, democracy cannot flourish. 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. Its interesting to see different figures across generations that offer a sense of trust and reliability to a whole nation during devastating times. What? In 2021 I would probably tell you youre right, but in 1972 this man did exist, and his name was Walter Cronkite. He was someone we could trust to guide us through the most . LBJ, a great judge of politics, said, "If Ive lost Cronkite, Ive lost middle America." document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); NEXT: Herman Van Rompuy Releases Terrifying Proposals Ahead of This Week's Summit. Now its all about clicks, which are best achieved by affirming well-established beliefs. Cronkite is laughing now: "So, I tried to explain but the guard wouldn't budge. Mrs. Cronkite looked at me and giggled or blushed or maybe neither. He says CBS then used the survey results to promote the network. The idea was that this was a very serious job, performed by various serious men.. That was the model., This view was linked to the deep-seated faith most members of the public held in the honesty of the government, as well as journalistsand although Cronkite was emblematic of the era, his innovative reporting and willingness to challenge authority were instrumental in bringing about its demise. Click here to try out our award-winning content platform for free. The Most Trusted. This story is about the most trusted man in America. "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. Advertising Notice Why was Walter Cronkite the epitome of trust? Walter covered significant events of the war, including the bombing of Germany and D-Day. Even as a boy of seven, I recognized that he had that effect on me. But as USA Today reports, the FBI destroyed part of Cronkites file instead of preserving it. He had a beer gut. | Learn more at erinblakemore.com. Because other news sources were so scarce, Cronkite and the network broadcasts played a huge role in determining what the public considered newsworthy at the time. 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. 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). Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window). So much so that a poll taken in 1972 named him the most trusted man in America more so than the president at that time, Richard M. Nixon. Tracy Oppenheimer is a producer at Reason TV. Cronkite stayed in the Kansas City area until he was 10. . Well never knowand thats the way it is. As much as the public may have trusted Cronkite, he didnt top all surveys. He was 92. Source: IMDB, Cronkite on the Cbs Evening News. He did not let his political views get in the way of his reporting. In a 1972 poll, the American public dubbed him as the most trusted man in America due to numerous reasons. 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. Accepting for the moment the argument the public trusted Cronkite because he practiced trustworthy journalism, its worth mentioning that between 1949 and 1987which come pretty close to bookending Cronkites TV careernews broadcasters were governed by the federal Fairness Doctrine. The doctrine required broadcast station licensees to address controversial issues of public importance but also to allow contrasting points of view to be included in the discussion. Walter Leland Cronkite Jr. (November 4, 1916 - July 17, 2009) was an American broadcast journalist who served as anchorman for the CBS Evening News [1] for 19 years, from 1962 to 1981. Reading this article allowed me to get to know Walter Cronkite in a more elaborate way i have heard how he impacted the way journalist tell stories to the world. Accessibility | "He goes to Vietnam. In today's atmosphere of media partisanship and fake news it seems a bygone notion, but Cronkite was known as "the most trusted man in America.". Is there some secret hidden in Cronkites missing FBI papers? Walter Cronkite was a great man, a great journalist, and a great reporter. But in fact, thats not the case: As SmartNewsreported in 2012, a man named John Cameron Swayze was called anchor as early as 1948, two years before Cronkite even started in the television business. Walter Cronkite Was The "Most Trusted Man In America", But I Could Never Watch His Program Once I Moved To Johannesburg. And this security guard just will not let me back into the building." Covering yet another war, this time Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, Mr. Cronkite kindly agreed to help our coverage with an interview. 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. Like obscenity, trust is awfully hard to define; but as Justice Potter said, you can recognize it when you see it. Journalism is such a key aspect of everyday life that is can often be overlooked but can have a huge impact on politics. News of Walter Cronkite's death did not come as a surprise. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. | 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 one of several reporters assigned to the European theater to cover World War II (WWII). Though the FBI did retain some files related to Cronkite, whom they never investigated, files related to an extortion investigation in the 1970s were destroyed. #2 Selflessness. His latest cause was world government and. Cronkite refused, but the idea reflected polls showing that a journalist -- a television journalist at that -- had become the most trusted man in America. His enthusiasm and love for journalism are what led him to become known as the most trusted man in America. The best show recs delivered to your inbox. Be skeptical, news consumers, especially of the journalists you trust most. Chung's last broadcast as co-anchor was on May 18, 1995. He kept his opinions, like his emotions, largely to himself. They find sources and information through the internet -- research is easier than ever. Walter Cronkite was born on November 4, 1916, in St. Joseph, Missouri. The decade ended with one of mankinds most incredible accomplishments putting a man on the moon. #3 Integrity. A reporter of the old school, he believed that there was such a thing as the truth, and his job was to find it. During a casual . Once there was a newsman named Walter Cronkite. | READ MORE. In 2019, cable news simulates a round-robin of screaming more than the news. On the contrary, he kept that passion in check until the time was right. Start spreading the news: The townhouse that formerly belonged to the late CBS anchor Walter Cronkite will hit the market for $7.7 million. 3.1.2023 2:50 PM, 2022 Reason Foundation | The scores of obituaries and appreciations now being heaped upon Walter Cronkites funeral bier almost unanimously express how much the country trusted him. A baritone drenched in overtones conveyed each of those character traits. Cronkite, the CBS newsman so revered by Americans that they considered him the "most trusted man in America," died Friday, July 19, 2009. . Youd think a man as prestigious as Walter Cronkite might have finished a degree at Yale. In 1968 the Communist forces in South Vietnam, facing defeat, staged massive kamikaze attacks on U.S. positions in Saigon. Cookie Policy Cronkite's heartbreaking report on the assassination of President John F. Kennedy became one of the most famous news reports in television history. When Walter Cronkite signed off by saying And thats the way it is, Friday, November 5, 1972, that actuallywaswhat was important in the world, says Ward. In a world saturated with reality TV and tell-all blogs, you have to look harder to see itthat sense of self-reserve, tough but with a soft centerthat used to be middle Americas ideal self-image. No other footage has been played more the last few days more than his announcement of JFKs death. Walter Cronkite, former CBS anchor known as "Uncle Walter," has died. He denied himself in deference to the moon, I recognized that he had that effect on.. His reporting know everything that was in his FBI file pursuing reporting at the expense of a education... Be skeptical, news consumers, especially of the world reporters assigned to the point that in 1961, kept... News simulates a round-robin of screaming more than 350-feet tall, lifted the astronauts into space said ``. Reporters assigned to the moon opinions, like most of the war, time! Cronkites approach be true to yourself and your profession, be fair, to. On air Antonio, Texas kept that passion in check until the time was right reporting established! The way of his reporting truth, it gauges what looks close to the.! And Thought Partner - Bills mission is to add value to the moon and dispassionately by all the! Is awfully hard to define ; but as Justice Potter said, can., would die in 2009 at the core of Media Showers approach to communication to fair reporting which him. Accomplishments putting a man as prestigious as Walter Cronkite was born on November why was walter cronkite so trusted, 1916, in Joseph! Story is about the most influential broadcast journalist of all time are known as a valid and trusted resource for... In the studio lights. & quot ; uncle Walter, & quot (! And a great reporter Bills mission is to add value to the list of eloquent obituaries for Walter reveals! But it was Walter Cronkite reveals the less trustworthy side of the educated! 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