Learn more at erinblakemore.com. So I stepped outside for a few moments for a smoke. In the world of news, no matter who you voted for, the most glaringly absent quality is objectivity. 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. Cronkite stood out from his peers because of his commitment to truth and objectivity in journalism. 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. He did not let his political views get in the way of his reporting. 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. In 1968, there were plenty of people who were protesting the war in Vietnam. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); NEXT: Herman Van Rompuy Releases Terrifying Proposals Ahead of This Week's Summit. As we mourn "the most trusted man in America" we also mourn the kind of television news that no longer exists. I am currently a senior at St. Marys University in San Antonio, Texas. "Whew, boy, " he said, as Armstrong descended the ladder. Yet the "most trusted man in America" seemed rather pleased he wasn't recognized at his own front door. | Walter Cronkite earned the American people's trust by telling them hard truths and refusing to toe the expected line. 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. For almost two decades, after all, weve been meeting like this in the evenings, and Ill miss that., Joseph Stromberg 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. "Walter was always more than just an anchor. As consumers shifted consumption of news from newsprint to television in the 1960s, consumers shifted whom and what they trusted, too. In 1968 the Communist forces in South Vietnam, facing defeat, staged massive kamikaze attacks on U.S. positions in Saigon. Cronkite strongly influenced the politics and outcome of the Vietnam War. Working on the desk was.". 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. Your ambitious agenda is filling a desperate need.". He became the host of the CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite. 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. Cronkite's Big Three Trust Factors #1 - Honesty. "Walter was always more than just an anchor. The CBS anchor is remembered as a media giant who gruffly championed hard-hitting journalism. His funeral was held Thursday in New York. Some of the more notable , Walter Jr. the only child of Walter, a dentist, and Helen, a homemaker was born on November 4, 1916, in Saint Joseph, Missouri. During WWII, Walter Cronkite flew in a real bombing mission over Germany. (Assuming, of course, that the public did regard Cronkite as the nations most trustworthy man.). 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. Thats where the family lived until moving to Houston, Texas when Walter was 10-years-old. A baritone drenched in overtones conveyed each of those character traits. So What? Lyndon B. Johnson to state, "If I've lost . 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 program was, as its co-founder Robert MacNeil just testified, one that Cronkite adored. Of the spacewalk, he said, nothing compares with thisnot his experiences covering World War II or the various heads of state around the world. Its hard to see the forest for the trees when all your concerns involve clicks. Nick Gillespieisan editor at largeatReason and host of The Reason Interview With Nick Gillespie. The news business has both expanded and fragmented in the post-Cronkite, post-Fairness Doctrine era. The decade of the sixties was tumultuous including social unrest, the civil rights movement, Vietnam and the assassinations ofMartin Luther King and Robert Kennedy. I think he was so trusted because he exhibited a sense of purpose and compassion, night after night. 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). Cronkite was born on November 4, 1916, in Saint Joseph, Missouri. "You need to show me some ID.," the fellow demanded. Cronkite was committed to delivering accurate news, refusing to report stories until they were validated and vetted. Walter Cronkite. "He puts on his captain's hat and does that every day," she said with a Candida-type half-shrug, half-smile. Well, almost everyone. According to polls, he was the most trusted man in Americamore than the first lady, the Pope or the president.. People determine theres a better way to do things and, if theyre right, entire categories can be upended. However, once those limitations were removed, Cronkite allowed his passion to ignite. It is during his years at CBS where he started working on major events such as the 1952 presidential election. All contents 2023 The Slate Group LLC. His unassuming manner and sincerity were two reasons why people liked and trusted him so much. Walter Jr. the only child of Walter, a dentist, and Helen, a homemaker was born on November 4, 1916, in Saint Joseph, Missouri. Tracy Oppenheimer is a producer at Reason TV. At that time, the evening news was a mere 15 minutes in length barely enough to deliver the days headlines. In 1950, Cronkite joined CBS News and hosted several CBS shows, such as You are There, The Morning Show, and The Twentieth Century. Walter Leland Cronkite Jr. was born Nov. 4, 1916, in . I apologized again as we walked through the hallways and studio he knew so well. 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. "When the Eagle landed on the moon, I was speechless - overwhelmed, like most of the world. 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. "It was a way to tout Walter Cronkite as a source to go to for election coverage among the three networks," says Campbell. The idea was that this was a very serious job, performed by various serious men.. Contributors control their own work and posted freely to our site. Now, all . Knowing that he gave us the truth and experienced it himself by traveling to places and delivering us the best news to Americans completely grabbed my attention. Integrity would not allow that. The newscasting industry, though very chaotic, needs more today like him to keep the peace and calm through the times. Walter with his steady, calming and professional manner was the trusted source of news for the nation. As the war raged on,he experienced one the most important events in his personal life in 1940, when he married Betsy Maxwell. An honest unbiased reporter would be very refreshing in the current polarized times. I finally stopped trying. He was the first-ever non-astronaut, non-NASA employee to receive the honor. He consoled Americans when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963. Well never knowand thats the way it is. Despite his objective persona, it was clear to his viewers that Cronkite was a real person with real interests and feelings. Source: IMDB, Walter Cronkite during his time as a war correspondent during WWII. In part, people trusted Cronkitebecausehe trusted themto see through the carefully crafted party lineon both sidesand get to the truth of the matter. 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. If the nostalgia for Cronkitian news values were genuine, youd expect PBSs soporific News Hour would be drawing huge and growing numbers of viewers. Cookie Policy It was his integrity and commitment to fair reporting which established him as the most trusted man in America. Surface. Oprah Winfrey: Overcoming Adversity to Become a Master Communicator, How Zappos Used Customer Engagement to Build a $2B Brand. He was one of several reporters assigned to the European theater to cover World War II (WWII). The difference, writes Lee Siegel, is this era of Olbermann and O'Reilly taught audiences . Cronkite got his start in radio, then became a correspondent for United Press. Cronkite comes to national prominence in his second or third year, when he breaks the news that John F. Kennedy has been killed in Dallas, says Ward. Joseph Stromberg was previously a digital reporter for Smithsonian. And it wasnt fluffyit was very clear. Cronkite finished fourth in best-liked, behind Harry Reasoner, who placed second, and Howard K. Smith (ABC News), who placed third. It's chockablock with how-to's, practical tips and successful trust-building ideas. "(King's) approach to covering important events and interviewing politicians, leaders . Alas, the NewsHours Cronkite-lite approach has failed to attract much of an audience. If You Think Im a Joke the Jokes On You! Today, the job he perfected has largely lost its relevance. 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. If so, you owe something to Walter CronkiteAmericas uncle and the most influential broadcast journalist of all time. It took a man of great character and outstanding humility to so sublimate his personal views and inherent bias to achieve that rather impossible standard. This story already sounds like fiction doesnt it? Headlines now titillate stories to fuel political dogmas, often voicing opinions that bear the semblance of truth but are far from it. On the contrary, he kept that passion in check until the time was right. 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. In my opinion, Walter Cronkite is the epitome of ethical and effective journalism. Well never know everything that was in his FBI file. Additionally, I enjoy partaking in various on-campus and non-profit organizations. Have you watched the news lately? . Walter Cronkite with the News (1962-1963) CBS Evening News with Norah O'Donnell (2019-present) . Cronkite became a legendary figure and was often called "the most trusted man in America." Fast Facts: Walter Cronkite "Walter Cronkite came into the living room reporting the news, and people trusted that he was giving them the truth," she said. Why was Walter Cronkite the epitome of trust? Its not just the naive and undereducated who end up trusting people and institutions that they shouldnt. 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. 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. Its interesting to see different figures across generations that offer a sense of trust and reliability to a whole nation during devastating times. She sat for the interview. Youd think a man as prestigious as Walter Cronkite might have finished a degree at Yale. This mission wasnt a media puff story either. The Most Trusted Man in America didnt get there by calling himself the Most Trusted Man in America. | I am pursuing a degree in Political Science and International and Global Studies. #1 Honesty. Network management put an end to that practice on the very first night. The CBS News security man began to protest but saw a murderous look in my eye and wisely let us pass. 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. Let me share a brief encounter with the newsman everyone knew: Did I say "everyone?" Heading back, I'm stopped by another security guard a fellow I never saw before. Why Was Walter Cronkite So Well Respected? 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. Beware of those who fetishize trust, Monck and Hanley counsel. Subscribe to Reason Roundup, a wrap up of the last 24 hours of news, delivered fresh each morning. As Lulu Guadalupe said, he truly laid out the foundation of what great newscasters should be like but alas, they are not. The Most Trusted. But those who worked . July 2, 2012. Full red lips. That is simply basic journalism. Sadly thats a rather quaint concept today. But some unscrupulous actions outlined in the book muddy his otherwise almost spotless reputation, and . The manner in which Walter delivered those stories genuine, caring, professional established him as a trusted news anchor. I liked reporting as well. Cronkite won the best-known category, but John Chancellor took the honors for best-liked and most-watched TV newsperson. If you need to flag this entry as abusive. Cronkite is laughing now: "So, I tried to explain but the guard wouldn't budge. <p>'The most trusted man in America's fan mail was still . It was a total disaster, and hes lucky to get out of there alive, Ward says. He kept his opinions, like his emotions, largely to himself. Uncle Walters word was gold.. "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. 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. 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. No cable news. to see through the carefully crafted party lineon both sidesand get to the truth of the matter. His three kids, Nancy, Kathy, and Walter III Cronkite, appeared on "The Early Show" shortly after his passing to speak about his memorial. July 18, 2009 -- One day after legendary reporter and anchorman Walter Cronkite died, colleagues and admirers are mourning the loss of "the most trusted" voice that led America through 40 years of . Other reasons we shouldnt have trusted Cronkite. These are all key aspects of being a true journalist and it showed when it came to Walter Cronkite. 'Most trusted'? Privacy Statement To do anything else would be phony. He did not let his political views get in the way of his reporting. He hosted programs such as You Are There and The Twentieth Century. 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. We trusted him and that . Chung's last broadcast as co-anchor was on May 18, 1995. Accessibility | Long acrylic nails. "Indeed, a bunch of people were running around but I got to the chair in time for the broadcast." 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? 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. How did Cronkite join this popularity list in the first place? Ever genial and humble, Walter Cronkite laughed. Cronkite became "the most trusted man in America" according to a Gallup Poll, . Campbell sat down with ReasonTV's Nick Gillespie to discuss Cronkite and other myths propelled by the media. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); For a free copy of the eBook "Selling to the C-Suite," email me, Charlie, personally and I'll send it along to you. It seemed miraculous for a Brooklyn kid that our babysitter's mom worked for Mr. Cronkite at CBS News. Why was Walter Cronkite so well respected? That move was right for Cronkite he was true to himself. I hope that journalists reconsider their stories before they publish them. 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. 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. June 12, 2009, 8:34 AM. Start spreading the news: The townhouse that formerly belonged to the late CBS anchor Walter Cronkite will hit the market for $7.7 million. He gave suburb news with honesty of facts. It was the same place and a similar thing happened. " "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. 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