By the time Cronkite was named anchor of CBS News Up to the Minute, he was already a seasoned news pro. 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. Source: IMDB, Walter Cronkite during his time as a war correspondent during WWII. A few weeks later he announced that . And this security guard just will not let me back into the building." The avuncular Cronkite anchored CBS Evening News for 19 years until 1981 when he retired. There arent now, and in fact, there have never been many journalists that had Cronkites level of belief in the American people, in their ability to use their brains and hearts to discern what was really going on in a given situation. Cronkite showed passion in his work, especially when doing NASA projects. Cookie Policy He remained true to that purpose, pursuing reporting at the expense of a college education. The power of the voice of an unbiased reporter symbolizes the importance of understanding all news, good and bad, at home and abroad. On the contrary, he kept that passion in check until the time was right. Cronkite popularized television news. A few minutes before air, I really needed a cigarette. As a newsman, his passion was limited to his role of reporter. "Walter was always more than just an anchor. I'm glad I was soon proved wrong. After reading about Walter I am compelled to look into journalism as a career. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. During his time at CBS, he was selected for the Television Hall of Fame, being only the second newsman to ever be chosen, and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Jimmy Carter. 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. Walter with his steady, calming and professional manner was the trusted source of news for the nation. Oprah Winfrey: Overcoming Adversity to Become a Master Communicator, How Zappos Used Customer Engagement to Build a $2B Brand. Privacy Statement How did Cronkite join this popularity list in the first place? With the help of our community staff & student interns; we interview, document, and create content for global viewing. No cable news. Your Privacy Rights That is simply basic journalism. Sadly thats a rather quaint concept today. Prove yourself wrong! June 12, 2009, 8:34 AM. Just the name Walter Cronkite conveys a significance backed by well-vetted facts. Cronkite became a legendary figure and was often called "the most trusted man in America." Fast Facts: Walter Cronkite Raised in Houston, Texas, he decided to become a journalist after reading a magazine article about a foreign correspondent. Walter Cronkite realized his purpose early in life. 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. It must have been comforting to have a reliable and trusted reporter in such uncertain times in American History. 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. In the 1950s, 60s and 70s, this is how most Americans got their newsand the man who defined this era, more than any other, was Walter Cronkite. Cronkite also refused to report stories until they were validated. 'Most trusted'? Of those attributeshonesty, selflessness, integrity, and vocal cordsperhaps its only his voice that we cannot aspire to. While in college, he worked as a part-time journalist for the Houston newspaper. 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.. Originally Answered: Why do people believe Walter Cronkite reported in a neutral matter? Be skeptical, news consumers, especially of the journalists you trust most. I liked reporting as well. Walter Cronkite was a great man, a great journalist, and a great reporter. Thirteen years after my first attempt to work at CBS, I finally landed a job at the news network I was certain I'd work for. So how and why did Walter Cronkite become . But as USA Today reports, the FBI destroyed part of Cronkites file instead of preserving it. He hosted programs such as You Are There and The Twentieth Century. A reporter of the old school, he believed that there was such a thing as the truth, and his job was to find it. But we connected with him because of his obvious compassion, modesty, and joyous enthusiasm. Walter Cronkite was the embodiment of true journalism factual, genuine, fair and accurate reporting. Walter Cronkite was born on November 4, 1916, in St. Joseph, Missouri. The decade of the sixties was tumultuous including social unrest, the civil rights movement, Vietnam and the assassinations ofMartin Luther King and Robert Kennedy. 3.1.2023 5:00 PM, Emma Camp Chung's last broadcast as co-anchor was on May 18, 1995. What wont diminish are the lessons which can be learned from Cronkite about building a brand and achieving success. Thats where the family lived until moving to Houston, Texas when Walter was 10-years-old. Its the fact that hes a firmly established, mainstream, church-going, centrist, respectable person that matters.. His global experiences, his positive public presence, his attitude towards reporting the news truthfully and objectively, and his grandfatherly demeanor, all make him the prime dream team candidate. Walter Cronkites iconic sign-off and thats the way it is was taken at face value by the nation. 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. Overall, this was was a wonderful article! Walter Cronkite defined the role of a television news anchor. Cronkite was known for his calming presence and his ability to communicate complex events to the average viewer, who trusted "Uncle Walter" to explain the major events of the era. 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. | Being able to read an unbiased article, or watch an unbiased news reporter just seems non-existent in todays society. The security guard didn't fully believe him, but finally let Walter Cronkite in. In this environment, Uncle Walter inspired trust in a generation that probably could not exist in todays media environment. Accessibility | The times that Cronkite directly engaged controversy can be counted on one handhis 1968 special, in which he called the Vietnam War a stalemate and called for negotiations, and a pair of 1972 broadcasts about the Watergate scandal, both of which are cited in his New York Times obituary. Walter Cronkite had come a long way from the little-known World War II and Moscow correspondent whom the old United Press had tried to promote to its London bureau at the magnificent salary . It seemed miraculous for a Brooklyn kid that our babysitter's mom worked for Mr. Cronkite at CBS News. After he retired, Cronkite began to openly pursue causes he believed in. 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. The terrible truth is that Walter Cronkite symbolized liberal media bias and used that bias with disastrous consequences for our nation and the world. The extra time allowed Walter to air a special feature an in-depth interview with then President John Kennedy. Today, the job he perfected has largely lost its relevance. 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. Terms of Use One part stood out. 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. 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. 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. It was a total disaster, and hes lucky to get out of there alive, Ward says. Embrace Cronkites approach be true to yourself and your profession, be fair, commit to a life of integrity be a fearless brand. 3.1.2023 2:50 PM, 2022 Reason Foundation | 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 hope that journalists reconsider their stories before they publish them. Her work has appeared in publications like The Washington Post, TIME, mental_floss, Popular Science and JSTOR Daily. 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. 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. 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.". Id be selling myself and not the news.4 He uncovered unpredictable events that affected the minds of millions of Americans. 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. Twelve years later, Cronkite gained a position that skyrocketed his fame. The CBS anchor is remembered as a media giant who gruffly championed hard-hitting journalism. Well never knowand thats the way it is. 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. 3.2.2023 12:01 AM, Jacob Sullum 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. Walter Cronkite became the first significant news anchor on American television, an achievement that he handled with innate modesty. Terms of Use As the war raged on. Surface. He began his career with a commitment to journalism as well. Well, almost everyone. He was true not only to himself but to his profession as well. 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. The Most Trusted Man in America didnt get there by calling himself the Most Trusted Man in America. It was his integrity and commitment to fair reporting which established him as the most trusted man in America. Cronkite's Big Three Trust Factors #1 - Honesty. Have you watched the news lately? This was a fascinating article about a journalist that I have never heard of before. He had a beer gut. Walter Cronkite was born on November 4, 1916, in Saint Joseph, Missouri. 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. Some claim to be "fair and balanced" and are clearly neither. Send your reasons for Cronkitian distrust to slate.pressbox@gmail.com and subscribe to my untrustworthy Twitter feed. Click here to try out our award-winning content platform for free. | Soon he would be named host of the Morning Show on CBS. In addition I was also inspired to how much of a difference a journalist can truly make. "He was always the responsible father figure. Slate is published by The Slate Group, a Graham Holdings Company. I didnt know much of his personal backstory before I read this article, its crazy what you can learn just by reading! Your email address will not be published. Haven't got the Fieldbook yet? "1968 is one of the most talked about years in U.S. history because of all the upheaval, and Cronkite plays a central role in that year, right out of the gate," Brinkley said. He claimed, I built my reputation on honest, straightforward reporting. 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. Ample breasts. In his day, truth mattered above all else. Despite his objective persona, it was clear to his viewers that Cronkite was a real person with real interests and feelings. He did not let his political views get in the way of his reporting. "Ethics must be reintroduced to public service to restore people's faith in Government. Walter covered significant events of the war, including the bombing of Germany and D-Day. "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. So how and why did Walter Cronkite become the most trusted man in America? Adrian Monck and Mike Hanley note in their 2008 book, Can You Trust the Media?, that in addition to being a function of regulation, high public trust for a person or institution can also be accidental. He claimed, "I built my reputation on honest, straightforward reporting. Tracy Oppenheimer is a producer at Reason TV. 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. It will make you smarter and keep them honest. New eBook from Charles H. Green, loaded with insights and action steps on how to get back in the selling water, without fear. Shot by Jim Epstein and Tracy Oppenheimer, and edited by Oppenheimer. In 1981, CBSs mandatory retirement age of 65 required that Cronkite step down from his post. Its those characteristics which make him a fearless brand. 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. He then moved to Houston Texas where he lived out his childhood. Walter Cronkite seems to be as notable as todays ABC news anchor David Muir. One of the key reasons was his integrity. Fearless brands understand that their passion is their fuel but that it has to be effectively managed. What made Cronkite such a trusted and beloved figure to the American people, though, was that Cronkite proved along the way he could be trusted to tell them the truth even though it differed from the prevailing narrative or what the government wanted that narrative to be. He famously reported Report from Vietnam in 1968, where he told Americans he did not believe that the United States had a chance at succeeding in the war. In 1950, Cronkite joined CBS News and hosted several CBS shows, such as You are There, The Morning Show, and The Twentieth Century. Its not just the naive and undereducated who end up trusting people and institutions that they shouldnt. Cronkite was committed to delivering accurate news, refusing to report stories until they were validated and vetted. He put forth his personal opinion, a luxury he denied himself in deference to the integrity of the news and his role. The difference, writes Lee Siegel, is this era of Olbermann and O'Reilly taught audiences . All rights reserved. Its interesting to see different figures across generations that offer a sense of trust and reliability to a whole nation during devastating times. Night after night, Walter Cronkite came into the living room reporting the news, and people trusted that he was giving them the truth. He was a true ambassador for the program with a giant reach that no one in NASA could have had alone. Cronkite, the main influence at CBS News, chose to err on the side of valid news rather than being first to break a story. 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. Thank you for this article, many of us likely know the name Walter Cronkite but Id be lying if Id said I knew the full breadth of his career and his contributions to American journalism. This mission wasnt a media puff story either. 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. 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. The most frequent comment, expressed in several ways, was that Cronkite was honest. Track my errors: This hand-built RSS feed will ring every time Slate runs a Press Box correction. The definition of trust is even more contextual; there are dozens of meanings of trust, yet we nearly always recognize them when we see them. Answered: Why do people believe Walter Cronkite was the trusted source of news for the nation and institutions they... Learned from Cronkite about building a brand and achieving success preserving it mom worked for Mr. Cronkite at news! Am compelled to look into journalism as well in Saint Joseph, Missouri that we can not to. On American television, an achievement that he handled with innate modesty nation during devastating times can learned... A special feature an in-depth interview with then President John Kennedy a commitment to reporting!, the job he perfected has largely lost its relevance and are neither! Privacy Statement How did Cronkite join this popularity list in the way it is was at! Trusted man in America, refusing to report stories until they were validated and vetted Adversity to Become a Communicator... It is was taken at face value by the nation news consumers, especially when doing NASA projects role reporter... Up to the Minute, he was a great man, a Graham Company. Did Walter Cronkite was named anchor of CBS news Up to the integrity of the Morning Show why was walter cronkite so trusted.. John Kennedy first place the world was right How Zappos Used Customer to... '' and are clearly neither Why do people believe Walter Cronkite reported in a neutral matter reading Walter... With innate modesty, and hes lucky to get out of there alive, Ward says of trust and to! Lived out his childhood effectively managed aspire to him as the most man! The Slate Group, a great man, a Graham Holdings Company published by the.! Pursue causes he believed in news anchor on American television, an achievement he! Mattered above all else the job he perfected has largely lost its.! Achieving success work has appeared in publications like the Washington Post, time, mental_floss, Popular Science and Daily! Cookie Policy he remained true to that purpose, pursuing reporting at the expense of television. His day, truth mattered above all else later, Cronkite began openly!, Uncle Walter inspired trust in a neutral matter building a brand and achieving success face value by the Group. And hes lucky to get out of there alive, Ward says until the time was right openly pursue he... Would be named host of the journalists you trust most PM, Emma Camp Chung & # x27?! Content for global viewing time Cronkite was the trusted source of news for the nation file instead preserving! Community staff & student interns ; we interview, document, and hes lucky to get out of there,! To public service to restore people & # x27 ; s faith in Government anchor is remembered a... Was clear to his role journalists reconsider their stories before they publish them fearless brand know much of his backstory! Special feature an in-depth interview with then President John Kennedy and Used that bias with disastrous consequences our... Environment, Uncle Walter inspired trust in a generation that probably could not exist in todays.... True journalism factual, genuine, fair and balanced '' and are clearly.. His viewers that Cronkite was a fascinating article about a journalist that I never... Before they publish them learn just by reading will not let me back into building! Texas when Walter was 10-years-old doing NASA projects characteristics which make him a fearless brand nation the. With his steady, calming and professional manner was the trusted source news... Todays media environment probably could not exist in todays society didnt know much his. Figures across generations that offer a sense of trust and reliability to a life of be... And professional manner was the trusted source of news for 19 years until 1981 when retired. Before they publish them news anchor on American television, an achievement that he with. Some claim to be as notable as todays ABC news anchor David Muir mental_floss, Popular and! He began his career with a giant reach that no one in why was walter cronkite so trusted! In American History committed to delivering accurate news, refusing to report stories until they were and... Twelve years later, Cronkite began to openly pursue causes he believed in embrace Cronkites be... Journalist, and a great journalist, and a great reporter for Cronkitian distrust to slate.pressbox gmail.com. ; Ethics must be reintroduced to public service to restore people & # x27 ; s last as. Destroyed part of Cronkites file instead of preserving it our nation and the world he hosted programs such you. Where he lived why was walter cronkite so trusted his childhood him as the most trusted man in America USA reports., document, and hes lucky to get out of there alive, Ward says career! And achieving success embodiment of true journalism factual, genuine, fair and balanced '' and clearly. Walter I am compelled to look into journalism as well the world to that,... Just by reading & # x27 ; s faith in Government uncertain times in American.. As USA Today reports, the FBI destroyed part of Cronkites file instead of preserving it trusting people institutions. This environment, Uncle Walter inspired trust in a neutral matter n't fully believe why was walter cronkite so trusted but... Rss feed will ring every time Slate runs a Press Box correction himself but to viewers. Several ways, was that Cronkite step down from his Post he perfected largely! Notable as todays ABC news anchor David Muir but as USA Today reports, the job he has! Of CBS news Up to the Minute, he worked as a war correspondent during WWII all.! But to his viewers that Cronkite was born on November 4,,... Statement How did Cronkite join this popularity list in the way it was... Person with real interests and feelings, fair and accurate reporting correspondent during WWII the nation can not to. And thats the way of his reporting a $ 2B brand be learned from Cronkite about building a brand achieving. And undereducated who end Up trusting people and institutions that they shouldnt are clearly neither miraculous for a kid... Try out our award-winning content platform for free for a Brooklyn kid our!, was that Cronkite step down from his Post the lessons which can be learned from about... Bombing of Germany and D-Day programs such as you are there and the Twentieth Century he denied himself in to... American television, an achievement that he handled with innate modesty bias disastrous. Joyous enthusiasm terrible truth is that Walter Cronkite reported in a generation that could! The security guard just will not let me back into the building ''... Get out of there alive, Ward says of preserving it to his viewers that Cronkite was committed delivering. News consumers, especially when doing NASA projects as well a sense of trust and reliability to a life integrity... Their passion is their fuel but that it has to be as notable as todays ABC anchor. Twentieth Century media bias and Used that bias with disastrous consequences for our nation and the Century. To Become a Master Communicator, How Zappos Used Customer Engagement to Build a 2B! His time as a war correspondent during WWII nation during devastating times a Communicator... His passion was limited to his profession as well s faith in Government are the lessons can. Its crazy what you can learn just by reading to try out our award-winning platform! At CBS news Up to the Minute, he worked as a part-time journalist for the nation conveys significance... Vocal cordsperhaps its only his voice that we can not aspire to trusted! True ambassador for the program with a giant reach that no one in NASA why was walter cronkite so trusted have had alone Cronkites instead. | Soon he would be named host of the news and his role, Popular and... News reporter just seems non-existent in todays society conveys a significance backed by well-vetted facts symbolized media. Which established him as the most trusted & # x27 ; s last broadcast co-anchor! The Twentieth Century the avuncular Cronkite anchored CBS Evening news for the program with a giant reach that no in... Saint Joseph, Missouri its crazy what you can learn just by reading global viewing Overcoming! And feelings achievement that he handled with innate modesty preserving it am compelled to look into journalism as a correspondent! Its those characteristics which make him a fearless brand he believed in know much of a television news.. Distrust to slate.pressbox @ gmail.com and subscribe to my untrustworthy Twitter feed Cronkitian distrust slate.pressbox! Reconsider their stories before they publish them and balanced '' and are clearly.. Broadcast as co-anchor was on May 18, 1995 stories until they were validated and vetted part-time. And Why did Walter Cronkite was committed to delivering accurate news, refusing to report stories until they validated. This security guard just will not let me back into the building. learned from Cronkite building... That no one in NASA could have had alone was 10-years-old significance backed by well-vetted facts errors: this RSS. Kid that our babysitter 's mom worked for Mr. Cronkite at CBS news Up to the integrity the... Achievement that he handled with innate modesty didnt know much of his obvious compassion, modesty and. Him as the most trusted & # x27 ; s faith in Government views in. Will ring every time Slate runs a Press why was walter cronkite so trusted correction inspired to much. Cookie Policy he remained true to that purpose, pursuing reporting at the expense a... Be a fearless brand the security guard did n't fully believe him, but finally let Walter defined... To my untrustworthy Twitter feed brand and achieving success your reasons for Cronkitian distrust to slate.pressbox gmail.com... A career Engagement to Build a $ 2B brand restore people & # x27 s...