And this security guard just will not let me back into the building." Walter Cronkite, the CBS newsman so revered by Americans that they considered him the "most trusted man in America," died today. He studied hard but left school when he realized that he had all he needed to make a living in Journalism. In the generation since he left the anchor desk at the CBS Evening News, there have been other public figures who inspire passion, devotion, confidence, intensity and . No cable news. 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. Today, more and more reporters never leave the comforts of their desks. | READ MORE. 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. He covered the 1952 presidential elections, and he helped introduce The Beatles to the United States. As I said in my obituary of Walter Cronkite, in person, he could come off as formal, stiff and even somewhat self-important. A community-based video production company focused on documenting the rich history of Old Saint Jo through the use of social media. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); NEXT: Herman Van Rompuy Releases Terrifying Proposals Ahead of This Week's Summit. Even as a boy of seven, I recognized that he had that effect on me. 3.1.2023 4:21 PM, Eric Boehm He was an outstanding journalist, to be sure. Advertising Notice 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. 8. 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. One Womans Charge Change How News is Reported. 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. 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. Four years later, on July 17, 2009, at the age of 92, Cronkite died at home in New York City.9 His commentary impacted the lives of hundreds of Americans and he will always be remembered as the most trusted man in America. Walter Cronkite became the first significant news anchor on American television, an achievement that he handled with innate modesty. The news today, regardless of political affiliation, more closely resembles professional wrestling crossed with a high school grapevine. 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. Riding the Shark Conquering Fear in Selling. Host Steven Scheuer interviews television anchor and broadcast journalist Walter Cronkite, "the most trusted man in America," about his time as a journalist . In 1945, with the war over, Cronkite didn't stop reporting -- he kept his press pass and covered the Nuremberg Trials. Cronkite refused, but the idea reflected polls showing that a journalist -- a television journalist at that -- had become the most trusted man in America. 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 finally stopped trying. I didnt know much of his personal backstory before I read this article, its crazy what you can learn just by reading! That is simply basic journalism. Sadly thats a rather quaint concept today. The answer is in the psychology of trust. I enjoyed this article, had good history of someone who made history. Words fail to describe the magnificence of this accomplishment. To do anything else would be phony. 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.". Paul essentially replied that no, that was just John being John, that once you accepted that as [], The Trust Quotient and the Science Behind It, High-Stakes Trust Intervention and Executive Coaching, Stewart Hirsch, Senior Coach Business Development and Executive Leadership, http://trustedadvisor.com/public/trusted_advisor1.png, Why Walter Cronkite Was the Most Trusted Man in America. In 1950, Cronkite joined CBS News and hosted several CBS shows, such as You are There, The Morning Show, and The Twentieth Century. Cronkite was the face of CBS from 1962 to 1981. 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 left school to work for the Houston Post, moved onto sports reporting in Oklahoma City and eventually was hired by United Press International (UPI). Two months later, it was Walter who broke the news to the American public that Kennedy had been shot. 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. Cronkite strongly influenced the politics and outcome of the Vietnam War. After the war, Walter would cover the Nuremberg war trials. He was 92 and had homes in New York and Martha's Vineyard, Mass. But we connected with him because of his obvious compassion, modesty, and joyous enthusiasm. 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 . Cronkite's death spurs flood of words, memories. "My dad was one of those people. Today, the job he perfected has largely lost its relevance. June 12, 2009, 8:34 AM. Indeed, his modesty and his dedication were the reasons his wide audience liked him so much and trusted him. He became the anchorman of American televisions first half-hour news program at night. 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. 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. 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. I cant add much to the list of eloquent obituaries for Walter Cronkite, other than to say I agree with them. 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. New eBook from Charles H. Green, loaded with insights and action steps on how to get back in the selling water, without fear. 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. Fearless Brands are committed to integrity and trustworthiness Walter Cronkite, often referred to as Uncle Walter, delivered hard news to a nation for two decades. Buy it here. He was televisions version of Gary Cooperstoic, his own man, capable under stress of expressing deep feelingsbut in a highly controlled manner. "I was remembering another time. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. 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 admired how he strived to be honest and unbiased while delivering the news. Your email address will not be published. Subscription Preferences Alas, the NewsHours Cronkite-lite approach has failed to attract much of an audience. He remained true to that purpose, pursuing reporting at the expense of a college education. Thats where the family lived until moving to Houston, Texas when Walter was 10-years-old. Of the spacewalk, he said, nothing compares with thisnot his experiences covering World War II or the various heads of state around the world. News of Walter Cronkite's death did not come as a surprise. Cronkite was a firm believer in doing what is fair. A rocket, more than 350-feet tall, lifted the astronauts into space. Research in communication and psychology clearly shows that to be trusted a communicator has to be seen as knowledgeable and credible. For years I tried to improve on it, and never could. Cronkite was born on November 4, 1916, in Saint Joseph, Missouri. Without such faith, democracy cannot flourish. 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". 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). "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. What a great read, I wish there were more Walter Cronkites in todays society. Though Rather never said so publicly, CBS News insiders said he did not approve of her appointment. If Cronkite were alive today, he would tearfully lament the political tribalism that permeates through news organizations. Your email address will not be published. He sailed. Network management put an end to that practice on the very first night. Cronkite himself, would die in 2009 at the age of 92. Be skeptical, news consumers, especially of the journalists you trust most. He claimed, I built my reputation on honest, straightforward reporting. 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. But when we're doing news, it is our duty to be sure that we do not permit our prejudices to show. He became the host of the CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite. 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. Cronkite has changed how people deliver news forever now. Walter Cronkite realized his purpose early in life. After reading about Walter I am compelled to look into journalism as a career. 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. 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. As consumers shifted consumption of news from newsprint to television in the 1960s, consumers shifted whom and what they trusted, too. During World War II, he flew along with bombers raiding Germany and reported extensively on the Nuremberg Trialsand his exploits along with the fabled Murrow Boys even earned him a character in a propaganda drama about the wars brave field reporters. It must have been comforting to have a reliable and trusted reporter in such uncertain times in American History. Be true to yourself and your profession Walter Cronkite realized his purpose early in life. A reporter of the old school, he believed that there was such a thing as the truth, and his job was to find it. In 2005, Cronkite suffered a great loss when his wife Betsy died of cancer. (E-mail may be quoted by name in The Fray, Slates readers forum; in a future article; or elsewhere unless the writer stipulates otherwise. 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. The Web, which can make the cable news channels look positively Cronkitian, has only reshattered the shards. He was someone we could trust to guide us through the most . Cookie Policy Advertising Notice 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. 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. If so, you owe something to Walter CronkiteAmerica's uncle and the most influential broadcast journalist of all time. Public mistrust of the government reached a new level, and Cronkites interview of Ellsbergcaptured ina photographnow among the National Portrait Gallerys collectionsbecame one of the many iconic moments of his career. "Everybody knew that Walter didn't get his suntan in the studio lights." Cronkite. His story came to an end in 2009 when he passed away at the age of 92. I'm glad I was soon proved wrong. A new biography of Walter Cronkite reveals the less trustworthy side of the most trusted man in America. Walter Leland Cronkite Jr. was born Nov. 4, 1916, in . Walter wanted the public to get detailed stories so at the end of the first broadcast, he encouraged viewers to check their local newspapers for the full stories. The power of the voice of an unbiased reporter symbolizes the importance of understanding all news, good and bad, at home and abroad. His college career lasted only two years. Available now! And he was way too into the space program for a grown man. As we mourn "the most trusted man in America" we also mourn the kind of television news that no longer exists. 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. Walter Cronkite Was The "Most Trusted Man In America", But I Could Never Watch His Program Once I Moved To Johannesburg. I apologized again as we walked through the hallways and studio he knew so well. So I stepped outside for a few moments for a smoke. His enthusiasm and love for journalism are what led him to become known as the most trusted man in America. For 19 years, beginning in 1962 . In part, people trusted Cronkitebecausehe trusted themto see through the carefully crafted party lineon both sidesand get to the truth of the matter. (Assuming, of course, that the public did regard Cronkite as the nations most trustworthy man.). In 2019, cable news simulates a round-robin of screaming more than the news. The manner in which Walter delivered those stories genuine, caring, professional established him as a trusted news anchor. 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. She sat for the interview. He was an inspiration because he was one of the first household name reporters to have come out of television. Coach, International Speaker and Thought Partner - Bills mission is to add value to the world one brand at a time. 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. During a casual . Everyone who watched Walter Cronkite somehow felt a personal connection to the newsman: whether they shared his coverage of the moon landing or his agony announcing the assassination of President Kennedy or endured with him the daily torment of an endless war in Vietnam or the despicable hostage-taking of diplomats in Iran. Learn more at erinblakemore.com. After he retired, Cronkite began to openly pursue causes he believed in. While working for CBS in a variety of roles, hosting everything from morning shows to political conventions, he sat down in the CBS Evening News anchor chair and proceeded to hold it for nearly 20 years. Cronkite stood out from his peers because of his commitment to truth and objectivity in journalism. He never allowed his broader passion to diminish and die. "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. As we mourn "the most trusted man in America" we also mourn the kind of television news that no longer exists. In fact, the Pew Project for Excellence in Journalism informs us that the News Hour is losing numbers, not gaining them: For the 2007-08 season, the number of different people watching each week was 5.5 million, down from the previous seasons 6.1 million. According to PBS research, the viewers are migrating to cable news, a fate that trusted Walter would probably be suffering today if he were still reading from the teleprompter. "He was always the responsible father figure. 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. It was very enjoyable reading about him. These news performances are in stark contrast to Walter Cronkites definition of news. #2 Selflessness. As the world saw a boot finally touch lunar dust, words briefly failed Walter Cronkite. Walter Cronkite was a great man, a great journalist, and a great reporter. His three kids, Nancy, Kathy, and Walter III Cronkite, appeared on "The Early Show" shortly after his passing to speak about his memorial. 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. 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. Overall, this was was a wonderful article! 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. A few weeks later he announced that . If Cronkite reported it thats really the way it was. He was avuncular. Cronkite stayed in the Kansas City area until he was 10. . 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. "I'm very sorry, Mr. Cronkite, " I said as I turned to the clueless guard. He gave suburb news with honesty of facts. 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. 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. Scroll down for downloadable versions and subscribe to ReasonTV's YouTube Channel to receive automatic updates when new stories go live. "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. 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 continued to do special reports and other media appearances up until his death in 2009. Walter covered significant events of the war, including the bombing of Germany and D-Day. Fearless Brands are committed to integrity and trustworthiness. The difference, writes Lee Siegel, is this era of Olbermann and O'Reilly taught audiences . 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. 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. Source: IMDB, Walter Cronkite during his time as a war correspondent during WWII. "There never was and there never will be another Walter Cronkite. Once there was a newsman named Walter Cronkite. The invitation was extended the very next day and that meeting led to the Camp David accord and the Israel-Egyptian Peace Treaty. Cronkite's heartbreaking report on the assassination of President John F. Kennedy became one of the most famous news reports in television history. The idea was that this was a very serious job, performed by various serious men.. Walter Cronkite. In 1950, Cronkite finally joined CBS after numerous offers. Like Cronkite, integrity and honesty are at the core of Media Showers approach to communication. Its the fact that hes a firmly established, mainstream, church-going, centrist, respectable person that matters.. 6.26.2012 11:34 AM. 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. In 1963 Cronkite covered the JFK assassination which became a key moment in his career.
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