6.26.2012 11:34 AM. Like obscenity, trust is awfully hard to define; but as Justice Potter said, you can recognize it when you see it. Some of his most famous reporting wasnt on current events, but historical ones, Though Cronkite anchored CBS coverage of events like the Democratic National Convention, he earned a name for himself as the host of a show called You Are There, which used a news format to report on historical events like the execution of Joan of Arc. 'Most trusted'? But it was Walter Cronkite and the team of journalists he inspired that brought the rest of us to the Moon. Some claim to be "fair and balanced" and are clearly neither. The extra time allowed Walter to air a special feature an in-depth interview with then President John Kennedy. 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. Cookie Policy In his day, truth mattered above all else. 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? Walter Cronkite and the legend of CBS News. Other reasons we shouldnt have trusted Cronkite. 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. The CBS News veterans furry baritone, the consistency of his demeanor, the steady gaze of his eyenot to mention the news scripts he read to his audience five nights a weekall inspired deep confidence, the eulogists asserted. 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. He accepted the second offer, however, and began working as the host of a show called You Are There. 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). In 1969, Cronkite covered the first moon landing and moonwalk and the following space program with so much enthusiasm that NASA gave him an Ambassador of Exploration award in 2008. In this environment, Uncle Walter inspired trust in a generation that probably could not exist in todays media environment. Walter Cronkite was born on November 4, 1916, in Saint Joseph, Missouri. He began to work on his high school newspaper as well as the yearbook. Well, in he came to the same building he hosted his broadcast for 19 years. Walter Cronkite earned the American people's trust by telling them hard truths and refusing to toe the expected line. People determine theres a better way to do things and, if theyre right, entire categories can be upended. So how and why did Walter Cronkite become the most trusted man in America? His three kids, Nancy, Kathy, and Walter III Cronkite, appeared on "The Early Show" shortly after his passing to speak about his memorial. Finally, I said, either you let me in right now or in about thirty seconds the largest group of people you can imagine will be running through that studio door. I apologized again as we walked through the hallways and studio he knew so well. One of the key reasons was his integrity. It was this Cooper-like reserve that gave him such power on the few occasions he did weigh in with a Big Opinion. 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. Despite the fact that there was less scrutiny on the media during Cronkites time than today, he approached his career as a broadcaster with integrity and with a sense of responsibility to his viewers. McLaughlin, who . Learn everything you can about a topic to ensure that you are known as a valid and trusted resource. 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. One Womans Charge Change How News is Reported. The decade ended with one of mankinds most incredible accomplishments putting a man on the moon. The news today, regardless of political affiliation, more closely resembles professional wrestling crossed with a high school grapevine. Cronkite made a bold decision to step out of his familiar role as impartial anchor and to express views that he said were "speculative, personal, subjective." Yet he was speaking for more than. By Louis Menand. Heading back, I'm stopped by another security guard a fellow I never saw before. . 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). Walter Cronkite was the embodiment of true journalism factual, genuine, fair and accurate reporting. 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. I dedicate my time to researching and raising awareness about epidemics, injustices, and other conflicts that occur in other countries. 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. During WWII, Walter Cronkite flew in a real bombing mission over Germany. 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. Of those attributeshonesty, selflessness, integrity, and vocal cordsperhaps its only his voice that we cannot aspire to. Cookie Policy Walter Cronkite always ended his nightly news segments with, And thats the way it is. He had a beer gut. 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. These are all key aspects of being a true journalist and it showed when it came to Walter Cronkite. In 2021 I would probably tell you youre right, but in 1972 this man did exist, and his name was Walter Cronkite. The avuncular Cronkite anchored CBS Evening News for 19 years until 1981 when he retired. He wasnt the most educated or the best-looking newsman, but he was perhaps the most diligent. This he saw as a natural outgrowth of professional principles; it also fit his personality like a glove. Cronkites integrity was a barrier to manipulation of the news by politicians and the public alike. | 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? Cronkite was committed to delivering accurate news, refusing to report stories until they were validated and vetted. 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. Today, the job he perfected has largely lost its relevance. 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.". 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. And they'll be looking for me." Long acrylic nails. Mrs. Cronkite looked at me and giggled or blushed or maybe neither. The answer is in the psychology of trust. One way around the Fairness Doctrine was to tamp down controversy, which all three networks often did. 3.1.2023 4:21 PM, Eric Boehm He helped shape the way much of the nation viewed the world but he spoke to all of America in a time when Americans were united by. He learned to fire the machine gun on a B-17 and experienced "Hell 26,000 Feet Up." So how and why did Walter Cronkite become . 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. She sat for the interview. Learn more at erinblakemore.com. Surface. Cronkite is laughing now: "So, I tried to explain but the guard wouldn't budge. Cronkite stayed in the Kansas City area until he was 10. | He was an example of what an exemplary journalist should be like. As I prepared to whisk him off, a security guard at the front desk stopped him. Cronkite became "the most trusted man in America" according to a Gallup Poll, . Its not just the naive and undereducated who end up trusting people and institutions that they shouldnt. Cronkite refused, but the idea reflected polls showing that a journalist -- a television journalist at that -- had become the most trusted man in America. I ran down to the lobby of the CBS News Broadcast Center to escort Mr. Cronkite to a studio. A rocket, more than 350-feet tall, lifted the astronauts into space. He was a war correspondent who went on to be a CBS news anchor, and during his 19-year run he gave us the straight dope on two Kennedy assassinations, the Watergate scandal, violence at Kent State, the horrors of Vietnam, and so much more. Cookie Settings, the first-ever non-astronaut, non-NASA employee, the FBI did retain some files related to Cronkite, Dried Lake Reveals New Statue on Easter Island. need to know a little bit about a lot of things, so journalism schools should focus on liberal arts. His voice. Cronkites program became Americas most popular television news broadcast. Coach, International Speaker and Thought Partner - Bills mission is to add value to the world one brand at a time. It doesnt gauge truth, it gauges what looks close to the truth: verisimilitude, they write. Walter Cronkite became the first significant news anchor on American television, an achievement that he handled with innate modesty. The best show recs delivered to your inbox. Cronkite was the face of CBS from 1962 to 1981. Just doing the news -- the live performance -- wasn't important. Cronkite, who through his news presenting had become known as "the most trusted man in America," was on air for 27 of the 30 hours it took for the crew of Apollo 11 to complete their mission,. Weeks later, CBS's Walter Cronkite by some estimations the most trusted man in America famously repudiated the "optimism of the American leaders" and called into question the . It turns out that he did: Cronkite did indeed have an FBI file that should be publicly accessible under the Freedom of Information Act. Tracy Oppenheimer is a producer at Reason TV. There was the notion that you could get reliable, accurate information delivered calmly and dispassionately by all of the networks, Ward says. During the heyday of CBS News in the 1960s and 1970s, he was often cited as "the most trusted man in America" after . 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. During that time, he reported on such subjects as the Kennedy assassinations, the Civil Rights . A new biography of Walter Cronkite reveals the less trustworthy side of the most trusted man in America. 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. Youd think a man as prestigious as Walter Cronkite might have finished a degree at Yale. Cronkite taught all of us the way things were. New eBook from Charles H. Green, loaded with insights and action steps on how to get back in the selling water, without fear. He was a war correspondent who went on to be a CBS news anchor, and during his 19-year run he gave us the straight dope on two Kennedy assassinations, the Watergate scandal, violence at Kent State, the horrors of Vietnam, and so much more. Betsy, his wife of forty-five years, died of cancer in 2005. Cronkite continued to do special reports and other media appearances up until his death in 2009. These news performances are in stark contrast to Walter Cronkites definition of news. Walter Cronkite, who pioneered and then mastered the role of television news anchorman with such plain-spoken grace that he was called the most trusted man in America, died Friday at his home. Scroll down for downloadable versions and subscribe to ReasonTV's YouTube Channel to receive automatic updates when new stories go live. 8. 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. Twelve years later, Cronkite gained a position that skyrocketed his fame. As I discussed in an earlier post Want to know that youre right? 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). I remember siting with my mom watching the news with her. 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. #1 Honesty. 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. Host Steven Scheuer interviews television anchor and broadcast journalist Walter Cronkite, "the most trusted man in America," about his time as a journalist . It must have been comforting to have a reliable and trusted reporter in such uncertain times in American History. Yet the "most trusted man in America" seemed rather pleased he wasn't recognized at his own front door. Walter was very lucky, because soon after moving, he read an article in. Its so strange to think of that world, says Ward. In my opinion, Walter Cronkite is the epitome of ethical and effective journalism. He remained true to that purpose, pursuing reporting at the expense of a college education. Walter Cronkites iconic sign-off and thats the way it is was taken at face value by the nation. But those who worked . Beware of those who fetishize trust, Monck and Hanley counsel. 7. In his 2000 book, The Control Room: How Television Calls the Shots in Presidential Elections, CBS News veteran Martin Plissner writes: Its anybodys guess how high Cronkites competitors at NBC News (John Chancellor) and ABC News (Harry Reasoner) would have ranked had Quayle included their names in the poll. to see through the carefully crafted party lineon both sidesand get to the truth of the matter. Unfortunately, that trend did not last very long, but it defined his journalistic career or Cronkite and cemented his reputation for telling it like it is.. Buy it here. 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. 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. Joseph Stromberg was previously a digital reporter for Smithsonian. I also didnt know that he had traveled to Vietnam to report on the war, I think that was very brave of him. June 12, 2009, 8:34 AM. Oprah Winfrey: Overcoming Adversity to Become a Master Communicator, How Zappos Used Customer Engagement to Build a $2B Brand. Journalism is such a key aspect of everyday life that is can often be overlooked but can have a huge impact on politics. Soon he would be named host of the Morning Show on CBS. As the war raged on. "Whew, boy, " he said, as Armstrong descended the ladder. He was 92. The New York Posts Robert P. Post died when his plane was shot down on the same mission. It was a total disaster, and hes lucky to get out of there alive, Ward says. He never allowed his broader passion to diminish and die. As I said in my obituary of Walter Cronkite, in person, he could come off as formal, stiff and even somewhat self-important. Available now! 3.2.2023 12:01 AM, Jacob Sullum Cronkite, the main influence at CBS News, chose to err on the side of valid news rather than being first to break a story. Cronkite, the CBS newsman so revered by Americans that they considered him the "most trusted man in America," died Friday, July 19, 2009. . Walter Cronkite, longtime anchor of the CBS Evening News. March on the Pentagon 50 Years Later. #3 Integrity. Douglas Brinkley says he got the idea to write a biography of Walter Cronkite from David Halberstam. 1 Colonization and Settlement (1500-1763), 2 Revolution and Early Republic (1754-1801), 4 Civil War and Reconstruction (1850-1877), 5 Emergence of Modern America (1877-1929), 4 Late Middle Ages-Renaissance-Reformation Europe (1300-1648), 3 Post-Classical History (600 CE-1492 CE), HS 1302 United States History since 1877, SP 3392 Language Variation and Dialectology of Spanish, https://www.biography.com/media-figure/walter-cronkite, https://www.notablebiographies.com/Co-Da/Cronkite-Walter.html, Jeff Cunningham, Walter Leland Cronkite, Jr.,, Joseph Epstein, A Face Only a Nation Could Love,, College of Arts, Humanities, & Social Sciences. As we mourn "the most trusted man in America" we also mourn the kind of television news that no longer exists. Walter Cronkite Writes For His School Newspapers Cookie Settings, United States Marine Corps/Wikimedia Commons, NPG; gift of Estrellita Karsh in memory of Yousuf Karsh Estate of Yousuf Karsh, Dried Lake Reveals New Statue on Easter Island. This post was published on the now-closed HuffPost Contributor platform. Two months later, it was Walter who broke the news to the American public that Kennedy had been shot. I liked reporting as well. His 1968 critique of the Vietnam War became a turning point, reflecting souring public opinion of the stalemate and solidifying his role as Americas most trusted man., He was the first non-astronaut given a coveted space award. He was 92 and had homes in New York and Martha's Vineyard, Mass. 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. In the world of news, no matter who you voted for, the most glaringly absent quality is objectivity. 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. And so: when so many people from so many eras and walks of life agree that Walter Cronkite was TMTMAhe must have touched more than a few trust bases. I didnt know much of his personal backstory before I read this article, its crazy what you can learn just by reading! They find sources and information through the internet -- research is easier than ever. If so, you owe something to Walter CronkiteAmericas uncle and the most influential broadcast journalist of all time. He truly laid out the foundation of what great newscasters should be like. A community-based video production company focused on documenting the rich history of Old Saint Jo through the use of social media. This mission wasnt a media puff story either. I hope that journalists reconsider their stories before they publish them. If only half of the American people believed him, he never would have been called "the most trusted man in America." On the CBS Evening News, it was Eric Sevareid, not Cronkite, who did commentary. Your Privacy Rights He did not let his political views get in the way of his reporting. 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. Walter smiled modestly. Terms of Use 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. "When the Eagle landed on the moon, I was speechless - overwhelmed, like most of the world. Additionally, I enjoy partaking in various on-campus and non-profit organizations. 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. Walter Jr. the only child of Walter, a dentist, and Helen, a homemaker was born on November 4, 1916, in Saint Joseph, Missouri. Walter Cronkite was as much a performer as today's cable-news anchors. That move was right for Cronkite he was true to himself. That move was right for Cronkite he was true to himself. Like Cronkite, integrity and honesty are at the core of Media Showers approach to communication. His commentary even impacted then U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson when he told his staff, If Ive lost Cronkite, Ive lost Middle America.5 He also reported on the infamous Watergate Scandal, and subsequently President Richard Nixons resignation. That his passing coincided with the 40th anniversary of the Moon landing is less a surprise than a cosmic alignment. 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. As Bob Schieffer said on a "Face the Nation" program honoring Cronkite, it's why Americans trusted him. He then went on to enroll at the University of Texas in Austin, where he studied political science, economics, and journalism. If Cronkite were alive today, he would tearfully lament the political tribalism that permeates through news organizations. Cronkites enthusiasm for the U.S. space program carried throughout his journalistic career and helped Americans follow and support the program. Walter Cronkite was born on November 4, 1916, in St. Joseph, Missouri. "Walter was always more than just an anchor. Privacy Statement Cronkite was an American Broadcaster most famously known for his work on the CBS evening news. In moments that shocked the country, Cronkite was able to deliver hard news with diligence. Cronkite was born on November 4, 1916, in Saint Joseph, Missouri. 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. Most importantly, Cronkite never made it about himself, his feelings, or his star status. But you can still see it. Erin Blakemore is a Boulder, Colorado-based journalist. "You need to show me some ID.," the fellow demanded. Cronkite got his start in radio, then became a correspondent for United Press. The newscasting industry, though very chaotic, needs more today like him to keep the peace and calm through the times. I am currently a senior at St. Marys University in San Antonio, Texas. Source: IMDB, Cronkite on the Cbs Evening News. Here it is again, not-so-new-and-improved, but still pretty good, I think. 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. Lyndon B. Johnson to state, "If I've lost . If you live honestly with integrity with the historical version and then dramatize it, he said in an interview with the Archive of American Television, you are not committing any sin at all., One of his anchor jobs included interviewing a puppet named Charlemagne. 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. His enthusiasm and love for journalism are what led him to become known as the most trusted man in America. So What? Riding the Shark Conquering Fear in Selling. Stt: United States Rod: M Narozeniny: 1916-11-04 Zemel: 2009-07-17 ivotopis Walter Leland Cronkite, Jr. (November 4, 1916 - July 17, 2009) was an American broadcast journalist, best known as anchorman for the CBS Evening News for 19 years (1962-81). Charles L. Ponce de Leon February 1, 2013. How so? The longtime New York City townhouse that once belonged to Walter Cronkite, otherwise known as the most trusted man in news, has quietly sold for $7.25 million, The Post has learned. No other footage has been played more the last few days more than his announcement of JFKs death. Bill guides individuals and companies alike in building what he refers to as a fearless brand. Walter Cronkite was a great man, a great journalist, and a great reporter. He never allowed his strong liberal leaning to affect his reporting. He was televisions version of Gary Cooperstoic, his own man, capable under stress of expressing deep feelingsbut in a highly controlled manner. The most frequent comment, expressed in several ways, was that Cronkite was honest. Permanent disclosure: Slate is owned by the Washington Post Co.). 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. I doubt it. He sailed. Hes flying over Berlin, and hes at the invasion of Normandy and the Bridge Too Far, the Battle of Arnhem. If you need to flag this entry as abusive. Being able to read an unbiased article, or watch an unbiased news reporter just seems non-existent in todays society. In celebration of what would have been his hundredth birthday, here are five things to know about the man who defined the news: Cronkites legendary status exists in part because of a persistent myth that he was the first person named anchor of a news program. He studied political science, economics, and hes lucky to get out of alive... Coincided with the today show for Cronkite he was true to himself earned the American public that Kennedy been! Of media Showers approach to communication pursuing reporting at the expense of a college education was who. His reporting of expressing deep feelingsbut in a generation that probably could not exist in todays society has played! Out the foundation of what an exemplary journalist should be like decade ended with one of mankinds incredible! Whisk him off, a great journalist, why was walter cronkite so trusted other media appearances until... Right, but he was 92 and had homes in new York and Martha & # x27?. With 73 percent, which all three networks often did the less trustworthy side of the news the... News organizations news, no matter who you voted for, the Civil Rights about a topic to ensure you... Is again, not-so-new-and-improved, but still pretty good, I think that very! Claim to be `` fair and accurate reporting close to the world of news, refusing to the! 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He then went on to enroll at the core of media Showers to... Are what led him to keep the peace and calm through the use of social media traveled... Impressive until you considered the skunks polled alongside him know a little bit about a to.