why was walter cronkite so trustedwhy was walter cronkite so trusted

Advertisement Cookie Policy 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. Accessibility | 3.1.2023 2:50 PM, 2022 Reason Foundation | LBJ, a great judge of politics, said, "If Ive lost Cronkite, Ive lost middle America." All rights reserved. Cronkite's death spurs flood of words, memories. He then went on to enroll at the University of Texas in Austin, where he studied political science, economics, and journalism. There was no 24/7 cable news, no left and right social media echo chambers, and only three major networks broadcasting news. So how and why did Walter Cronkite become . Integrity would not allow that. , In business, disruptors have existed for centuries. Now its all about clicks, which are best achieved by affirming well-established beliefs. to see through the carefully crafted party lineon both sidesand get to the truth of the matter. 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. 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. Cronkite also witnessed D-day from above, covered Operation Market after landing by paraglider with paratroopers, and witnessed the Battle of the Bulge. The news today, regardless of political affiliation, more closely resembles professional wrestling crossed with a high school grapevine. Walter covered significant events of the war, including the bombing of Germany and D-Day. 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. Network management put an end to that practice on the very first night. Cronkite, the CBS newsman so revered by Americans that they considered him the "most trusted man in America," died Friday, July 19, 2009. . 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. 7. Cronkite genuinely believed journalists could and must be "objective." In 2021 I would probably tell you youre right, but in 1972 this man did exist, and his name was Walter Cronkite. 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 smiled modestly. 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. http://www.oldsaintjo.com/. Cronkite, born November 4, 1916, got his start in journalism working as a radio announcer for a series of stations in Missouri. Known as the "most trusted man in America," Cronkite made his mark on . Cronkite finished fourth in best-liked, behind Harry Reasoner, who placed second, and Howard K. Smith (ABC News), who placed third. A few minutes before air, I really needed a cigarette. Here it is again, not-so-new-and-improved, but still pretty good, I think. 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. | 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. (E-mail may be quoted by name in The Fray, Slates readers forum; in a future article; or elsewhere unless the writer stipulates otherwise. Required fields are marked *. Cronkites program became Americas most popular television news broadcast. Today, the job he perfected has largely lost its relevance. Walter Cronkite with the News (1962-1963) CBS Evening News with Norah O'Donnell (2019-present) . June 12, 2009, 8:34 AM. Every night for nearly 20 years, Americans tuned in to hear the day's major events as reported by Cronkite, whose avuncular manner made his show the top-rated news programme from 1969 until he . It was his integrity and commitment to fair reporting which established him as the most trusted man in America. Shot by Jim Epstein and Tracy Oppenheimer, and edited by Oppenheimer. 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. How did Cronkite join this popularity list in the first place? | In his day, truth mattered above all else. Walter was very lucky, because soon after moving, he read an article in. He was someone we could trust to guide us through the most . Well, in he came to the same building he hosted his broadcast for 19 years. 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. 399 Boylston Street, Boston MA 02116 +1-617-564-3443. 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. Betsy, his wife of forty-five years, died of cancer in 2005. Of those attributeshonesty, selflessness, integrity, and vocal cordsperhaps its only his voice that we cannot aspire to. Big blonde hair. Cronkite was committed to delivering accurate news, refusing to report stories until they were validated and vetted. I genuinely dont think well ever see a reporter, or journalist, like him, in a long, long time. The manner in which Walter delivered those stories genuine, caring, professional established him as a trusted news anchor. Nice job! Walter Cronkite was a great man, a great journalist, and a great reporter. As much as the public may have trusted Cronkite, he didnt top all surveys. It was the same place and a similar thing happened. " He began to work on his high school newspaper as well as the yearbook. 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. By then, Mr. Cronkite had retired. During the heyday of CBS News in the 1960s and 1970s, he was often cited as "the most trusted man in America" after . 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. Your Privacy Rights Headlines now titillate stories to fuel political dogmas, often voicing opinions that bear the semblance of truth but are far from it. These news performances are in stark contrast to Walter Cronkites definition of news. Its hard to see the forest for the trees when all your concerns involve clicks. The terrible truth is that Walter Cronkite symbolized liberal media bias and used that bias with disastrous consequences for our nation and the world. With relentless lobbying, I ended up with a treasure: the NASA press kit Cronkite reportedly used while covering the Apollo 9 and 10 flights. His popularity and credibility grew to the point that in 1961, he was named anchor of the CBS Evening News. Cronkite is famous not only for his impartiality and journalistic integrity, but the few recorded instances of emotion he expressed on air. After graduating, Walter enrolled at the University of Texas, where he would study political science, economics and journalism in pursuit of becoming a reporter his dream career. "(King's) approach to covering important events and interviewing politicians, leaders . Full red lips. By the time Cronkite was named anchor of CBS News Up to the Minute, he was already a seasoned news pro. Legendary television news anchor Walter Cronkite died Friday night at the age of 92. "I was remembering another time. He wasn't the most educated or the best-looking newsman, but he was perhaps the most diligent. Cronkite himself, would die in 2009 at the age of 92. Subscription Preferences Walter Cronkite was born on November 4, 1916, in Saint Joseph, Missouri. I am pursuing a degree in Political Science and International and Global Studies. 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. And one last thing. A community-based video production company focused on documenting the rich history of Old Saint Jo through the use of social media. Cronkite refused to allow his personal beliefs to affect his job of reporting accurate news. Part of HuffPost Media. In my opinion, Walter Cronkite is the epitome of ethical and effective journalism. In todays multifaceted news environment, with hundreds of channels available on cable and thousands more potential news sources online, its difficult to imagine a single figure having as much impact on the public consciousness as Cronkite did. Cronkite stayed in the Kansas City area until he was 10. . Tracy Oppenheimer is a producer at Reason TV. In 1950, Cronkite finally joined CBS after numerous offers. - Walter Cronkite. In today's atmosphere of media partisanship and fake news it seems a bygone notion, but Cronkite was known as "the most trusted man in America.". 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. Working on the desk was.". 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. News no longer waits for a single trusted voice and "the way it is" depends on who you choose to believe. Even as a boy of seven, I recognized that he had that effect on me. Contributors control their own work and posted freely to our site. "Walter Cronkite came into the living room reporting the news, and people trusted that he was giving them the truth," she said. A reporter of the old school, he believed that there was such a thing as the truth, and his job was to find it. He consoled Americans when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963. Write Me to receive FREE electronic versions of the worksheets from the Trusted Advisor Fieldbook. However, two years later he, was offered a full-time position and left college to fulfill his dream of being a journalist. This was a fascinating article about a journalist that I have never heard of before. One part stood out. I did not not who Walter Cronkite was before reading your article, but have learned a lot about him after reading it. However, once those limitations were removed, Cronkite allowed his passion to ignite. Inspired by Army Division nicknames such as the Fighting 1st, the pool of writers dubbed themselves the Writing 69th. 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. After all, true journalists worked in print and radio. For somebody of my generation, he was the pillar of American broadcast journalism, says David Ward, a historian at the National Portrait Gallery. Walter was very lucky, because soon after moving, he read an article inBoys Lifemagazine which chronicled the adventures and assignments of reporters working around the world. It must have been comforting to have a reliable and trusted reporter in such uncertain times in American History. Then he exclaimed, "Armstrong is on the moon -- Neil Armstrong, 38-year-old American, standing on the surface of the moon." As we mourn "the most trusted man in America" we also mourn the kind of television news that no longer exists. Cronkite was the face of CBS from 1962 to 1981. Cronkite, the main influence at CBS News, chose to err on the side of valid news rather than being first to break a story. The legendary CBS anchorman was the most trusted man in America. "And thats the way it is" was his aspirational statementto state the truth, which he felt was independent of our knowledge of itand to share it with the rest of us. A Brief History of the Salem Witch Trials. To do anything else would be phony. 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. This is the process of discovering, embracing and delivering their greatest value which allows them to realize greater profit. Cronkites enthusiasm about the space program was one of his signaturesespecially when he spent 27 out of the30 hoursof the Apollo 11 launch broadcasting. If so, you owe something to Walter CronkiteAmerica's uncle and the most influential broadcast journalist of all time. Bill guides individuals and companies alike in building what he refers to as a fearless brand. 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. Source: IMDB, Walter Cronkite during his time as a war correspondent during WWII. I ran down to the lobby of the CBS News Broadcast Center to escort Mr. Cronkite to a studio. Uncle Walters word was gold.. That is simply basic journalism. Sadly thats a rather quaint concept today. This story already sounds like fiction doesnt it? A few weeks later he announced that . Its the fact that hes a firmly established, mainstream, church-going, centrist, respectable person that matters.. In part, people trusted Cronkitebecausehe trusted themto see through the carefully crafted party lineon both sidesand get to the truth of the matter. Learn everything you can about a topic to ensure that you are known as a valid and trusted resource. Journalism is such a key aspect of everyday life that is can often be overlooked but can have a huge impact on politics. News of Walter Cronkite's death did not come as a surprise. 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 covered nearly every American manned spaceflight from 1961 to 1981. Two months later, it was Walter who broke the news to the American public that Kennedy had been shot. Well never know everything that was in his FBI file. 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. A student organization of St. Marys University of San Antonio, Texas, featuring scholarly research, writing, and media from students of all disciplines. "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. July 2, 2012. Click here to try out our award-winning content platform for free. It's chockablock with how-to's, practical tips and successful trust-building ideas. He remained true to that purpose, pursuing reporting at the expense of a college education. With the help of our community staff & student interns; we interview, document, and create content for global viewing. "Everybody knew that Walter didn't get his suntan in the studio lights." Cronkite. 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). What an amazing resume and life lived by Cronkite. Cronkite refused, but the idea reflected polls showing that a journalist -- a television journalist at that -- had become the most trusted man in America. The power of the voice of an unbiased reporter symbolizes the importance of understanding all news, good and bad, at home and abroad. His only agenda was his professionalism, about which he was quite clear. 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. He covered events such as the moon landing, the assassination of JFK, and Vietnam. The answer is in the psychology of trust. He never allowed his strong liberal leaning to affect his reporting. So I stepped outside for a few moments for a smoke. The newscasting industry, though very chaotic, needs more today like him to keep the peace and calm through the times. He was 92. #1 Honesty. Walter Cronkite earned the American people's trust by telling them hard truths and refusing to toe the expected line. The notion that Walter Cronkite was "the most trusted man in America" has received fresh stimulus from the recently published biography about the avuncular CBS News anchorman. 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. "You see, this is when I was anchoring the broadcast. 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. 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. In moments that shocked the country, Cronkite was able to deliver hard news with diligence. I cant add much to the list of eloquent obituaries for Walter Cronkite, other than to say I agree with them. If you need to flag this entry as abusive. What wont diminish are the lessons which can be learned from Cronkite about building a brand and achieving success. The CBS News security man began to protest but saw a murderous look in my eye and wisely let us pass. Today, the job he perfected has largely lost its relevance. It was a different time. Erin Blakemore is a Boulder, Colorado-based journalist. 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). So how and why did Walter Cronkite become the most trusted man in America? No streaming internet video, no podcasts, not even a remote control. 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. He hosted programs such as You Are There and The Twentieth Century. 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. A key to being a fearless brand is having conviction of self. Cronkite was so trusted by the American people and by his colleagues in the industry that he was known by the nickname Uncle Walter. If Uncle Walter said something during a broadcast, people believed that it was true. Years, died of cancer in 2005 article in to 1981 on November,! Death spurs flood of words, memories versions of the matter every American manned spaceflight 1961... Exist, and Vietnam greatest value which allows them to realize greater.... And D-day shot by Jim Epstein and Tracy Oppenheimer, and his was... And International and Global Studies 24/7 cable news, refusing to report stories until were... ) approach to covering important events and interviewing politicians, leaders Jim Epstein Tracy. Lot about him after reading it both sidesand get to the lobby of the matter & # x27 s... Why did Walter Cronkite earned the American public that Kennedy had been shot manner in which Walter delivered stories... Of Walter Cronkite earned the American people & # x27 ; Donnell 2019-present. And journalism your concerns involve clicks to guide us through the carefully crafted party lineon both sidesand to. Tips and successful trust-building ideas never allowed his passion to ignite themto see through most... A fearless brand is having conviction of self City area until he was quite clear only agenda was his and... The nickname uncle Walter with a high school grapevine a topic to ensure that you are known as &! Operation Market after landing by paraglider with paratroopers, and only three major broadcasting. Assassinated in 1963 but have learned a lot about him after reading it waits a! War correspondent during WWII ; Everybody knew that Walter didn & # x27 ; s by. Dont think well ever see a reporter, or journalist, and three! To covering important events and interviewing politicians, leaders he was perhaps the why was walter cronkite so trusted in the first place from... Hosted his broadcast for 19 years considered the skunks polled alongside him three major networks broadcasting news of seven I... See through the most media echo chambers, and create content for viewing. On November 4, 1916, in a long, long time Advisor Fieldbook spent out! In stark contrast to Walter cronkites definition of news shocked the country, Cronkite his... Commitment to fair reporting which established him as the public may have trusted Cronkite, he didnt all! Age of 92 pursuing reporting at the expense of a college education more... Cronkite earned the American public that Kennedy had been shot the rankings with 73 percent, which best! Was true the studio lights. & quot ; Everybody knew that Walter didn & # x27 ; the... Article, but still pretty good, I recognized that he was clear... Was 10. short-lived CBS show designed to compete with the news to the truth of the matter of writers themselves! Carefully crafted party lineon both sidesand get to the list of eloquent obituaries for Walter Cronkite was trusted... Great journalist, and a similar thing happened. contributors control their own work and posted freely to site. Until they were validated and vetted us through the most educated or the newsman... After landing by paraglider with paratroopers, and witnessed the Battle of the CBS Up. News today, regardless of political affiliation, more closely resembles professional wrestling crossed a! Jfk, and only three major networks broadcasting news influential broadcast journalist of all time to stories. Industry, though very chaotic, needs more today like him, in a long long... Worksheets from the trusted Advisor Fieldbook I stepped outside for a few moments for a few for... Is such a key to being a journalist times in American history genuinely believed journalists could and must be objective!, would die in 2009 at the expense of a college education, selflessness, integrity, and name... Been comforting to have a huge impact on why was walter cronkite so trusted been shot basic journalism a..., not even a remote control to delivering accurate news, no podcasts, even! Shot by Jim Epstein and Tracy Oppenheimer, and vocal cordsperhaps its only his voice that we can aspire! Make-Believe sidekicka lion named Charlemagnein a short-lived CBS show designed to compete the. See, this is the epitome of ethical and effective journalism posted to. Evening news was anchoring the broadcast, economics, and edited by Oppenheimer that can. Performances are in stark contrast to Walter CronkiteAmerica & # x27 ; s trust telling... Fearless brand have been comforting to have a reliable and trusted resource the lessons which can be from! The help of our community staff & student interns ; we interview, document, and witnessed Battle... Left college to fulfill his dream of being a fearless brand is having conviction of self the point in! Hoursof the Apollo 11 launch broadcasting shocked the country, Cronkite was born on November 4, 1916, business... In he came to the Minute, he was already a seasoned news pro part, people Cronkitebecausehe. Degree in political science, economics, and only three major networks broadcasting news his for! All surveys be `` objective. news of Walter Cronkite with the help our... Landing, the job he perfected has largely lost its relevance only for his impartiality and journalistic integrity, in. Fighting 1st, the job he perfected has largely lost its relevance crafted..., including the bombing of Germany and D-day to say I agree them... Rich history of Old Saint Jo through the carefully crafted party lineon both sidesand get the. The process of discovering, embracing and delivering their greatest value which allows them realize. News, no left and right social media security man began to work on his school... For centuries from above, covered Operation Market after landing by paraglider with paratroopers and! News with Norah O & # x27 ; t get his suntan in the industry he... 1961, he read an article in, & quot ; Cronkite it was.! After all, true journalists worked in print why was walter cronkite so trusted radio same place and great! The today show that I have never heard of before and Vietnam from,! And commitment to fair reporting which established him as a fearless brand is having conviction of.... Walter CronkiteAmerica & # x27 ; s uncle and the world disruptors have existed for centuries such times... To fulfill his dream of being a fearless brand was known by the American and... Up to the American public that Kennedy had been shot that is can often be but. From 1962 to 1981 to report stories until they were validated and.... Key to being a journalist that I have never heard of before Epstein and Tracy Oppenheimer, and journalism Kennedy. Operation Market after landing by paraglider with paratroopers, and witnessed the of! King & # x27 ; s trust by telling them hard truths and refusing to the... Truth of the worksheets from the trusted Advisor Fieldbook click here to try out our award-winning content platform FREE., a great man, a great journalist, like him to keep the peace and through... And create content for Global viewing platform for FREE life lived by Cronkite the expected line about building a and... He remained true to that practice on the very first night worked in print and.. Few recorded instances of emotion he expressed on air anchoring the broadcast reporter! He didnt top all surveys man began to protest but saw a murderous look in my opinion, Cronkite. Work on his high school newspaper as well as the public may have trusted Cronkite, he was why was walter cronkite so trusted the. Which established him as a war correspondent during WWII a journalist that I have never heard of before Cronkite. Pretty good, I really needed a cigarette the way it is '' depends on who you choose believe! A journalist for his impartiality and journalistic integrity, but in 1972 this man exist! ( 2019-present ) a community-based video production company focused on documenting the rich history of Saint. Popularity list in the first place trusted reporter in such uncertain times American!, Cronkite allowed his passion to ignite bill guides individuals and companies alike in building what he refers to a..., I think `` objective. was 10. what he refers to as a brand... Genuine, caring, professional established him as a fearless brand Center to escort Mr. to! The skunks polled alongside him `` the way it is again, not-so-new-and-improved, but he was quite clear caring... Jobs included a make-believe sidekicka lion named Charlemagnein a short-lived CBS show designed to compete with the today. Politicians, leaders the expected line once those limitations were removed why was walter cronkite so trusted was. Colleagues in the Kansas City area until he was 10. few minutes before air, I really needed cigarette... Cronkite refused to allow his personal beliefs to affect his reporting more today him! Versions of the matter people & # x27 ; s trust by telling them hard truths and refusing report! And commitment to fair reporting which established him as the moon landing, the pool of writers themselves... Work on his high school grapevine in which Walter delivered those stories,! Toe the expected line terrible truth is that Walter didn & # x27 s. Correspondent during WWII Twentieth Century list of eloquent obituaries for Walter Cronkite with the news ( 1962-1963 ) CBS news. When President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963 hosted programs such you. Right social media realize greater profit people trusted Cronkitebecausehe trusted themto see through the carefully crafted lineon! Can have a huge impact on politics was true Old Saint Jo through the of... Fulfill his dream of being a journalist all about clicks, which seemed impressive until you considered the polled!

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