News no longer waits for a single trusted voice and "the way it is" depends on who you choose to believe. 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. Trust Inc. Strategies for Building Your Company's Most Valuable Asset. No cable news. 2023 Smithsonian Magazine 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 show was noteworthy not just for its creative spin on historical events: It was also a haven for writers whose names had made it onto Hollywoods black list because of their un-American activities., Three blacklisted screenwriters contributed more than50 of the shows scripts, including many thinly veiled depictions of literal and figurative witch hunts like the trial of Galileo. Required fields are marked *. 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. After the war, Walter would cover the Nuremberg war trials. Lyndon B. Johnson to state, "If I've lost . He had a beer gut. Cronkite also witnessed D-day from above, covered Operation Market after landing by paraglider with paratroopers, and witnessed the Battle of the Bulge. Her work has appeared in publications like The Washington Post, TIME, mental_floss, Popular Science and JSTOR Daily. I also didnt know that he had traveled to Vietnam to report on the war, I think that was very brave of him. In 1950, Cronkite joined CBS News and hosted several CBS shows, such as You are There, The Morning Show, and The Twentieth Century. Heading back, I'm stopped by another security guard a fellow I never saw before. During WWII, Walter Cronkite flew in a real bombing mission over Germany. | Cronkite, the CBS newsman so revered by Americans that they considered him the "most trusted man in America," died Friday, July 19, 2009. . Turn on the TV, and watch one of three networks for a 30-minute broadcast with an anchor who speaks with the authority of a religious leader or founding father. This he saw as a natural outgrowth of professional principles; it also fit his personality like a glove. A community-based video production company focused on documenting the rich history of Old Saint Jo through the use of social media. Youd think a man as prestigious as Walter Cronkite might have finished a degree at Yale. He remained true to that purpose, pursuing reporting at the expense of a college education. To do anything else would be phony. 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 . Your email address will not be published. The answer is in the psychology of trust. Legendary television news anchor Walter Cronkite died Friday night at the age of 92. Cookie Settings, the first-ever non-astronaut, non-NASA employee, the FBI did retain some files related to Cronkite, Dried Lake Reveals New Statue on Easter Island. As a newsman, his passion was limited to his role of reporter. Cronkites untouchable aura of authority led droves of viewers to change their opinions on Vietnam. A few weeks later he announced that . The scores of obituaries and appreciations now being heaped upon Walter Cronkites funeral bier almost unanimously express how much the country trusted him. 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. We trusted him and that . That move was right for Cronkite he was true to himself. The legendary anchorman Walter Leland Cronkite Jr. was the voice of truth for millions of Americans. 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. He began his career with a commitment to journalism as well. "There never was and there never will be another Walter Cronkite. 3.2.2023 12:01 AM, Jacob Sullum What wont diminish are the lessons which can be learned from Cronkite about building a brand and achieving success. What a great read, I wish there were more Walter Cronkites in todays society. June 12, 2009, 8:34 AM. One way around the Fairness Doctrine was to tamp down controversy, which all three networks often did. Cronkite's heartbreaking report on the assassination of President John F. Kennedy became one of the most famous news reports in television history. The program was, as its co-founder Robert MacNeil just testified, one that Cronkite adored. Speaking of papers, youd think that given Cronkites status as one of the worlds most respected and well-traveled public figures, hed draw special attention from the FBI. 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. 3.1.2023 2:50 PM, 2022 Reason Foundation | 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. He then went on to enroll at the University of Texas in Austin, where he studied political science, economics, and journalism. 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 . Walter covered significant events of the war, including the bombing of Germany and D-Day. Cronkite became "the most trusted man in America" according to a Gallup Poll, . Cronkite was an American Broadcaster most famously known for his work on the CBS evening news. News of Walter Cronkite's death did not come as a surprise. Terms Of Use, The Government Is Subsidizing Microchip FirmsWhile Making It More Expensive To Produce Microchips, Fox's Excuses Reinforce Dominion's Defamation Case, FDA Cracks Down on Animal Tranquilizer That Is Sometimes Mixed With Fentanyl, Ohio Woman Says Cops Broke Her Wrist for Recording During Traffic Stop, DeSantis' Disney Drama Turns Culture War Into Political Gains. Cronkite, the main influence at CBS News, chose to err on the side of valid news rather than being first to break a story. I am currently a senior at St. Marys University in San Antonio, Texas. In 1968, there were plenty of people who were protesting the war in Vietnam. The extra time allowed Walter to air a special feature an in-depth interview with then President John Kennedy. And every article, blog or TV clip mentions how Walter Cronkite was so trusted. It was 1977. The terrible truth is that Walter Cronkite symbolized liberal media bias and used that bias with disastrous consequences for our nation and the world. He began his career with a commitment to journalism as well. My dad was one of those people. Walter Cronkite always ended his nightly news segments with, And thats the way it is. Very nice article! No other footage has been played more the last few days more than his announcement of JFKs death. He was televisions version of Gary Cooperstoic, his own man, capable under stress of expressing deep feelingsbut in a highly controlled manner. 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. What an amazing resume and life lived by Cronkite. Walter Cronkite was born on November 4, 1916, in St. Joseph, Missouri. 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. These results came about because Walter Cronkite was a fearless brand. His popularity and credibility grew to the point that in 1961, he was named anchor of the CBS Evening News. Walter Cronkite was born on November 4, 1916, in Saint Joseph, Missouri. 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. 8. "President Lyndon Johnson certainly felt it. He consoled Americans when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963. To honor that commitment, NASA presented Cronkite with an Ambassador of Exploration award in 2008. 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. However, once those limitations were removed, Cronkite allowed his passion to ignite. But as USA Today reports, the FBI destroyed part of Cronkites file instead of preserving it. During the 1960s and 1970s, he was often cited as "the most trusted man in America" after being so named in an opinion poll. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); NEXT: Herman Van Rompuy Releases Terrifying Proposals Ahead of This Week's Summit. Now, all . In my opinion, Walter Cronkite is the epitome of ethical and effective journalism. An honest unbiased reporter would be very refreshing in the current polarized times. His three kids, Nancy, Kathy, and Walter III Cronkite, appeared on "The Early Show" shortly after his passing to speak about his memorial. I finally stopped trying. Fuel your passion After he retired, Cronkite began to openly pursue causes he believed in. Cronkite did his level best not to let his own personal biaseswhatever they weredefine his career, and he actively worked against those biases to determine the truth as objectively as possible. Quite simply, people trusted what they used, not vice versa, Monck and Hanley write. | What do you think? Walter Cronkite, longtime anchor of the CBS Evening News. For 19 years, beginning in 1962 . In a world saturated with reality TV and tell-all blogs, you have to look harder to see itthat sense of self-reserve, tough but with a soft centerthat used to be middle Americas ideal self-image. There was no 24/7 cable news, no left and right social media echo chambers, and only three major networks broadcasting news. So What? The New York Posts Robert P. Post died when his plane was shot down on the same mission. 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. Without such faith, democracy cannot flourish. Many lament the passing of the news era that he represented and helped to shape. "Ethics must be reintroduced to public service to restore people's faith in Government. 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. To believe F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963 clip mentions how Walter Cronkite 's death did not as. Valuable Asset instead of preserving it Cronkite he was televisions version of Gary Cooperstoic his. After he retired, Cronkite allowed his passion was limited to his role of reporter as Walter died. 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