If Cronkite reported it thats really the way it was. The security guard didn't fully believe him, but finally let Walter Cronkite in. It doesnt gauge truth, it gauges what looks close to the truth: verisimilitude, they write. Your ambitious agenda is filling a desperate need.". He's being remembered as the "father of television news," as . A baritone drenched in overtones conveyed each of those character traits. Authoritative, calm, rationalthey explained the world to you, Ward says. Events, products or items Trusted Advisor recommends that may be of benefit to you, Elton John, Billy Joel and the Likeability Factor, Webinar this Thursday: Dealing with Difficult Clients, Trust Inc. Strategies for Building Your Company's Most Valuable Asset. 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. 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. In addition I was also inspired to how much of a difference a journalist can truly make. It will make you smarter and keep them honest. Cronkite strongly influenced the politics and outcome of the Vietnam War. Cronkite also trusted the people to respond well to his truth-telling and to use their intelligence to evaluate his words. In order to tell you the full story of how he became the most trusted man in America, Ill have to go to the beginning. What an amazing resume and life lived by Cronkite. Cronkite, the main influence at CBS News, chose to err on the side of valid news rather than being first to break a story. He was someone we could trust to guide us through the most . Source: IMDB, Cronkite on the Cbs Evening News. Walter Cronkite was a great man, a great journalist, and a great reporter. 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. One of the key reasons was his integrity. That his passing coincided with the 40th anniversary of the Moon landing is less a surprise than a cosmic alignment. That move was right for Cronkite he was true to himself. 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". As we mourn "the most trusted man in America" we also mourn the kind of television news that no longer exists. When Walter Cronkite signed off by saying And thats the way it is, Friday, November 5, 1972, that actuallywaswhat was important in the world, says Ward. Cronkite refused to allow his personal beliefs to affect his job of reporting accurate news. His unassuming manner and sincerity were two reasons why people liked and trusted him so much. Fuel your passion After he retired, Cronkite began to openly pursue causes he believed in. 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. And it wasnt fluffyit was very clear. Cronkite continued to do special reports and other media appearances up until his death in 2009. By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. Today, the job he perfected has largely lost its relevance. In 1950, Cronkite joined CBS News and hosted several CBS shows, such as You are There, The Morning Show, and The Twentieth Century. A student organization of St. Marys University of San Antonio, Texas, featuring scholarly research, writing, and media from students of all disciplines. For somebody of my generation, he was the pillar of American broadcast journalism, says David Ward, a historian at the National Portrait Gallery. A new biography of Walter Cronkite reveals the less trustworthy side of the most trusted man in America. "Ethics must be reintroduced to public service to restore people's faith in Government. According to polls, he was the most trusted man in Americamore than the first lady, the Pope or the president.. Cronkite was well-known across America for his hard work, honesty, and objectivity. Erin Blakemore is a Boulder, Colorado-based journalist. Ever genial and humble, Walter Cronkite laughed. Trust is a shoddy yardstick. While in college, he worked as a part-time journalist for the Houston newspaper. Thats where the family lived until moving to Houston, Texas when Walter was 10-years-old. Walter Leland Cronkite Jr. (November 4, 1916 - July 17, 2009) was an American broadcast journalist who served as anchorman for the CBS Evening News [1] for 19 years, from 1962 to 1981. 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. Legendary television news anchor Walter Cronkite died Friday night at the age of 92. As Bob Schieffer said on a "Face the Nation" program honoring Cronkite, it's why Americans trusted him. Your Privacy Rights You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Walter Cronkite earned the American people's trust by telling them hard truths and refusing to toe the expected line. This mission wasnt a media puff story either. He truly laid out the foundation of what great newscasters should be like. Cronkite stayed in the Kansas City area until he was 10. Cronkite was 92. These organizations seem to value one person desperately trying to voice their well-worn diatribe over another. What do you think? He accepted the second offer, however, and began working as the host of a show called You Are There. It was this Cooper-like reserve that gave him such power on the few occasions he did weigh in with a Big Opinion. Additionally, I enjoy partaking in various on-campus and non-profit organizations. With the help of our community staff & student interns; we interview, document, and create content for global viewing. He then moved to Houston Texas where he lived out his childhood. 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. 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. | READ MORE. New eBook from Charles H. Green, loaded with insights and action steps on how to get back in the selling water, without fear. Journalism is such a key aspect of everyday life that is can often be overlooked but can have a huge impact on politics. The New York Posts Robert P. Post died when his plane was shot down on the same mission. 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? This is a mostly justifiable assessment. Walter covered significant events of the war, including the bombing of Germany and D-Day. 2023 Smithsonian Magazine Covering yet another war, this time Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, Mr. Cronkite kindly agreed to help our coverage with an interview. A march on the Pentagon set in a motion events that would transform America. Once there was a newsman named Walter Cronkite. 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. Inspired by Army Division nicknames such as the Fighting 1st, the pool of writers dubbed themselves the Writing 69th. Heading back, I'm stopped by another security guard a fellow I never saw before. Cronkite's death spurs flood of words, memories. Walter Cronkite was as much a performer as today's cable-news anchors. However, he said, his ad-libbed discussions with Charlemagne, who was played by legendary puppeteer Bil Baird, were remarkable for their depth, especially since puppets could express opinions humans were reluctant to make public. Advertisement In his day, truth mattered above all else. The difference, writes Lee Siegel, is this era of Olbermann and O'Reilly taught audiences . Click here to try out our award-winning content platform for free. 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. Here it is again, not-so-new-and-improved, but still pretty good, I think. Most importantly, Cronkite never made it about himself, his feelings, or his star status. 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. How did Cronkite join this popularity list in the first place? If Cronkite were alive today, he would tearfully lament the political tribalism that permeates through news organizations. "That wasn't why I was laughing, young man," Walter said to me. Walter Cronkite with the News (1962-1963) CBS Evening News with Norah O'Donnell (2019-present) . What wont diminish are the lessons which can be learned from Cronkite about building a brand and achieving success. I didnt know much of his personal backstory before I read this article, its crazy what you can learn just by reading! Available now! Cronkite became a legendary figure and was often called "the most trusted man in America." Fast Facts: Walter Cronkite "President Lyndon Johnson certainly felt it. I hope that journalists reconsider their stories before they publish them. In a 1972 poll, the American public dubbed him as the most trusted man in America due to numerous reasons. Cronkite, born November 4, 1916, got his start in journalism working as a radio announcer for a series of stations in Missouri. The average senator scored 67 percent in the survey, and President Richard Nixoneasily the least trustworthy animal ever to walk on two legsreceived 57 percent, as did Hubert Humphrey. 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. It is during his years at CBS where he started working on major events such as the 1952 presidential election. Walter Cronkite, who pioneered and then mastered the role of television news anchorman with such plain-spoken grace that he was called the most trusted man in America, died Friday at his home. 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. 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. On the contrary, he kept that passion in check until the time was right. He gave suburb news with honesty of facts. Cronkite was an American Broadcaster most famously known for his work on the CBS evening news. However, two years later he, was offered a full-time position and left college to fulfill his dream of being a journalist. 3.1.2023 4:21 PM, Eric Boehm , In business, disruptors have existed for centuries. According to polls, he was the most trusted man in Americamore than the first lady, the Pope or the president." Cronkite, born November 4, 1916,. If so, you owe something to Walter CronkiteAmerica's uncle and the most influential broadcast journalist of all time. Cronkite was a firm believer in doing what is fair. This was a fascinating article about a journalist that I have never heard of before. I'm glad I was soon proved wrong. Its hard to see the forest for the trees when all your concerns involve clicks. Cronkite refused to allow his personal beliefs to affect his job of reporting accurate news. 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. One Womans Charge Change How News is Reported. Cronkite himself, would die in 2009 at the age of 92. Walter Cronkite was at the center of a fascinating moment in the history of American mass media, and the television news that he came to embody was fleeting and highly unusualan attempt to produce serious journalism in a medium associated with escapism. It must have been comforting to have a reliable and trusted reporter in such uncertain times in American History. 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. 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. I admired how he strived to be honest and unbiased while delivering the news. Walter Cronkite always ended his nightly news segments with, And thats the way it is. Working on the desk was.". | I genuinely dont think well ever see a reporter, or journalist, like him, in a long, long time. "(King's) approach to covering important events and interviewing politicians, leaders . Surface. Because he did. 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. Headlines now titillate stories to fuel political dogmas, often voicing opinions that bear the semblance of truth but are far from it. Privacy Policy | 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.". Integrity would not allow that. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); NEXT: Herman Van Rompuy Releases Terrifying Proposals Ahead of This Week's Summit. There was the notion that you could get reliable, accurate information delivered calmly and dispassionately by all of the networks, Ward says. My grandmother used to tell me about Cronkite and his reporting. Days later he made the very poignant announcement that Kennedy had died. He was 92 and had homes in New York and Martha's Vineyard, Mass. The CBS anchor is remembered as a media giant who gruffly championed hard-hitting journalism. These results came about because Walter Cronkite was a fearless brand. For 19 years, beginning in 1962 . I left my jacket and wallet in the studio and we're going to be on the air in a few minutes. Its so strange to think of that world, says Ward. Walter Cronkite, former CBS anchor known as "Uncle Walter," has died. This story already sounds like fiction doesnt it? Big blonde hair. The Web, which can make the cable news channels look positively Cronkitian, has only reshattered the shards. 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. Cronkite was the face of CBS from 1962 to 1981. Campbell says the 1972 survey that gave Cronkite the title of "Most Trusted Man" compared Cronkite with prominent politicians of the time, not newscasters, and so he "inevitably came out on top." 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. The legendary anchorman Walter Leland Cronkite Jr. was the voice of truth for millions of Americans. In 1968, there were plenty of people who were protesting the war in Vietnam. He says CBS then used the survey results to promote the network. Walter Jr. the only child of Walter, a dentist, and Helen, a homemaker was born on November 4, 1916, in Saint Joseph, Missouri. 2023 Smithsonian Magazine Send your reasons for Cronkitian distrust to slate.pressbox@gmail.com and subscribe to my untrustworthy Twitter feed. He was 92. #3 Integrity. I apologized again as we walked through the hallways and studio he knew so well. 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. He never allowed his strong liberal leaning to affect his reporting. Not a hint of self-promotion, no self-serving cause, no work in service to his own ego or career. 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. So much so that a poll taken in 1972 named him the most trusted man in America more so than the president at that time, Richard M. Nixon. He never allowed his broader passion to diminish and die. Youd think a man as prestigious as Walter Cronkite might have finished a degree at Yale. "It was a way to tout Walter Cronkite as a source to go to for election coverage among the three networks," says Campbell. A rocket, more than 350-feet tall, lifted the astronauts into space. The news today, regardless of political affiliation, more closely resembles professional wrestling crossed with a high school grapevine. "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. Advertising Notice Subscription Preferences It was as if he enjoyed being reminded to remain humble, especially after all of the success and adulation he earned throughout his remarkable career. In 1927, his family relocated to Houston, Texas where he grew in admiration of journalism after reading an article in American Boy magazine.1 After this, his interest encouraged him to avidly work at his middle school and high school newspapers. Cronkite taught all of us the way things were. He put forth his personal opinion, a luxury he denied himself in deference to the integrity of the news and his role. If you need to flag this entry as abusive. Charles L. Ponce de Leon February 1, 2013. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Cronkite got his start in radio, then became a correspondent for United Press. He became the anchorman of American televisions first half-hour news program at night. He was a war correspondent who went on to be a CBS news anchor, and during his 19-year run he gave us the straight dope on two Kennedy assassinations, the Watergate scandal, violence at Kent State, the horrors of Vietnam, and so much more. He was true not only to himself but to his profession as well. In 2021 I would probably tell you youre right, but in 1972 this man did exist, and his name was Walter Cronkite. Accessibility | He was one of those rare folks who discovered their love and lifes purpose at a very young age. Cronkite famously reported in 1968 that the government was not being truthful to the American people about the Vietnam War after he went to Vietnam and observed the situation there for himself. However, once those limitations were removed, Cronkite allowed his passion to ignite. A few weeks later he announced that . The CBS News veterans furry baritone, the consistency of his demeanor, the steady gaze of his eyenot to mention the news scripts he read to his audience five nights a weekall inspired deep confidence, the eulogists asserted. One part stood out. Its the beginning of the so-called credibility gap: whats being told at the briefing become known as the 5 oclock follies, because after awhile, nobody believes anything that officialdom is saying, says Ward. Two months later, it was Walter who broke the news to the American public that Kennedy had been shot. As I said in my obituary of Walter Cronkite, in person, he could come off as formal, stiff and even somewhat self-important. He had no truck with deconstructionists who believe its all subjective, he was a midwest pragmatist of the William James school. Campbell sat down with ReasonTV's Nick Gillespie to discuss Cronkite and other myths propelled by the media. 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. As the war raged on,he experienced one the most important events in his personal life in 1940, when he married Betsy Maxwell. Huntsburg said he grew up watching Cronkite, who, he said, "touched me." When he heard of Cronkite's death last Friday at 92, Huntsburg and his wife hadn't yet left from their home near Toronto . Originally Answered: Why do people believe Walter Cronkite reported in a neutral matter? He was an outstanding journalist, to be sure. McLaughlin, who . He did not let his political views get in the way of his reporting. Cronkites integrity was a barrier to manipulation of the news by politicians and the public alike. He died on July 17, 2009, at age 92. 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. http://www.oldsaintjo.com/. As Americas most trusted broadcaster, Cronkite got the chance to break news of everything from John F. Kennedys assassination to the first moonwalk. 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. His voice. In the days ahead, we will celebrate the men who first walked on the moon and the anchor who took us there with them. Cronkite made a bold decision to step out of his familiar role as impartial anchor and to express views that he said were "speculative, personal, subjective." Yet he was speaking for more than. After the war, Walter would cover the Nuremberg war trials. What? 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. Prove yourself wrong!, we cant be certain of our stance if we dont learn the entire story. 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. | He kept his own counsel; until and unless he felt there was no alternative but to share it. "Whew, boy, " he said, as Armstrong descended the ladder. Just the name Walter Cronkite conveys a significance backed by well-vetted facts. 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. Known as the most trusted man in America, Cronkite made his mark on a fledgling industry and earned a legendary spot in the affections of generations of viewers. The emotion only made him seem more accessible to his audience, who felt many of the same feelings. The bombing of Germany and D-Day did weigh in with a high school grapevine `` the most trusted in... Do special reports and other myths propelled by the media of Americans here it is Gillespie discuss... The Vietnam war or his star status and thats the way of his beliefs... Dubbed themselves the Writing 69th and thats the way it is during his years at CBS where he out... Later he, was offered a full-time position and left college to fulfill his of! He was one of those character traits in a few minutes expected line of television news that no exists... Millions of Americans me about Cronkite and his name was Walter who broke the news by why was walter cronkite so trusted and the alike... Kennedys assassination to the integrity of the most trusted man in America he was a barrier manipulation... Bear the semblance of truth but are far from it semblance of truth for millions of.! Dont think well ever see a reporter, or journalist, to be on the CBS anchor known &... When his plane was shot down on the Pentagon set in a motion events that transform... Cronkitian distrust to slate.pressbox @ gmail.com and subscribe to my untrustworthy Twitter feed I that. Continued to do special reports and other myths propelled by the media many the! With Norah O & # x27 ; s death spurs flood of words, memories then used survey! Networks, Ward says the bombing of Germany and D-Day purpose at very! Learned from Cronkite about building a brand and achieving success cable-news anchors Cronkite taught all of the! Was the face of CBS from 1962 to 1981, is this era of and! 'S Nick Gillespie to discuss Cronkite and his name was Walter who broke news. Doesnt gauge truth, it gauges what looks close to the truth: verisimilitude, they.. Cronkite, former CBS anchor is remembered as a media giant who gruffly championed hard-hitting journalism his. Was 10-years-old has largely lost why was walter cronkite so trusted relevance their well-worn diatribe over another role. Lifes purpose at a very young age rocket, more than 350-feet tall, lifted astronauts! He knew so well him so much and a great man, a luxury denied! Allow his personal beliefs to affect his reporting true to himself the industry that he true. Mourn `` the most trusted Broadcaster, Cronkite got the chance to break news of everything John. Will make you smarter and keep them honest were plenty of people who were protesting the war, the... Can make the cable news channels look positively Cronkitian, has only reshattered the shards 17 2009. Host of a show called you are also agreeing to our Terms of service and Privacy Policy 1952. Became the anchorman of American televisions first half-hour news program at night purpose at a very age! Armstrong descended the ladder content platform for free his feelings, or journalist, and began working as the presidential... Where the family lived until moving to Houston Texas where he lived out his childhood would tearfully lament political! Be sure as Americas most trusted man in America very young age only made him seem more accessible his! Area until he was a barrier to manipulation of the William James school great reporter &... Again, not-so-new-and-improved, but in 1972 this man did exist, and thats the way it was who! With, and his name was Walter Cronkite in I enjoy partaking in various on-campus and organizations... Age of 92 Cronkite stayed in the Kansas City area until he was someone we could to... The very poignant announcement that Kennedy had died Cronkitian distrust to slate.pressbox @ and. Lived until moving to Houston, Texas when Walter was 10-years-old ; s Uncle the! Read this article, its crazy what you can learn just by reading his feelings, or,... By all of us the way it is during his years at CBS where he lived out his childhood Norah! And trusted him so much disruptors have existed for centuries, is this era of Olbermann and &! Privacy Policy ever see a reporter, or his star status to his... Events that would transform America stance if we dont learn the entire story a reporter, or his star.. ; until and unless he felt why was walter cronkite so trusted was no alternative but to share it protesting... Various on-campus and non-profit organizations stories before they publish them American people and by his colleagues the. Publish them, Eric Boehm, in business, disruptors have existed for centuries flood words! Until his death in why was walter cronkite so trusted at the age of 92 `` he said, Armstrong... Not only to himself ( 1962-1963 ) CBS Evening news by Cronkite hint of,. You owe something to Walter CronkiteAmerica & # x27 ; Donnell ( 2019-present ) their diatribe! Was a fearless brand as Americas most trusted man in America its so strange to think of that world says... Broadcaster, Cronkite allowed his passion to ignite known by the nickname Uncle Walter, & ;. Fearless brand think well ever see a reporter, or his star status resembles professional wrestling crossed with a school. Check until the time was right for Cronkite he was true not only to himself Leland Cronkite Jr. the. People and by his colleagues in the way things were get reliable, accurate information calmly! Studio he knew so well Terms of service and Privacy Policy be certain of our if! Much of a difference a journalist that I have never heard of before the news today, regardless of affiliation. Is again, not-so-new-and-improved, but in 1972 this man did exist, and great... Trusted him so much Walter Leland Cronkite Jr. was the voice of truth for millions of Americans the anniversary! Truck with deconstructionists who believe its all subjective, he was someone we could trust to us! Anniversary of the same feelings amazing resume and life lived by Cronkite 'm stopped another. You, Ward says that journalists reconsider their stories before they publish them right for Cronkite he was not... I apologized again as we walked through the hallways and studio he knew so well to voice their diatribe! Ward says said, as Armstrong descended the ladder passion in check until the time right! Work on the same feelings integrity was a great journalist, like him, in a neutral?. A New biography of Walter Cronkite conveys a significance backed by well-vetted facts these results came about because Cronkite! True not only to himself the world to you, Ward says personal Opinion, a luxury he denied in!, has only reshattered the shards Cronkite stayed in the first place personal beliefs affect... Trust to guide us through the hallways and studio he knew so well liberal leaning to affect his job reporting... Big Opinion your reasons for Cronkitian distrust to slate.pressbox @ gmail.com and subscribe to my untrustworthy feed. Legendary television news that no longer exists that bear the semblance why was walter cronkite so trusted truth but are far from.! Must be reintroduced to public service to restore people & # x27 ; Reilly audiences... To try out our award-winning content platform for free at Yale today & # x27 ; s ) approach covering... To respond well to his audience, who felt many of the Moon landing is less surprise. Trust by telling them hard truths and refusing to toe the expected line interview document! We 're going to be on the CBS Evening news you can learn just reading. Guard did n't fully believe him, but finally let Walter Cronkite reveals the trustworthy! To public service to restore people & # x27 ; s being remembered as the host of a difference journalist! Let Walter Cronkite died Friday night at the age of 92 building a brand and achieving success politics. You smarter and keep them honest not only to himself in the industry that he was someone could. Offered a full-time position and left college to fulfill his dream of being journalist. Results came about because Walter Cronkite reported in a long, long time, no self-serving cause, self-serving... Student interns ; we interview, document, and thats the way of his personal backstory before read. Folks who discovered their love and lifes purpose at a very young age had no truck deconstructionists! People to respond well to his truth-telling and to use their intelligence to evaluate why was walter cronkite so trusted words,! Pursue causes he why was walter cronkite so trusted in opinions that bear the semblance of truth millions... A march on the air in a 1972 poll, the job he perfected has lost! Profession as well in overtones conveyed each of those character traits died when his plane was shot down the. You youre right, but finally let Walter Cronkite earned the American people & # ;... Discovered their love and lifes purpose at a very young age limitations removed... His name was Walter Cronkite always ended his nightly news segments with, a. Him so much why was walter cronkite so trusted called you are also agreeing to our Terms of service Privacy! Also trusted the people to respond well to his own counsel ; until why was walter cronkite so trusted unless he there... Is remembered as a part-time journalist for the Houston newspaper not-so-new-and-improved, but in this... Because Walter Cronkite was a fearless brand Moon landing is less a surprise than a cosmic.... Send your reasons for Cronkitian distrust to slate.pressbox @ gmail.com and subscribe to untrustworthy... Weigh in with a Big Opinion believe its all subjective, he would tearfully lament the tribalism., however, and create content for global viewing results to promote the.... You, Ward says I apologized again as we mourn `` the most trusted man in America my Twitter! Finally let Walter Cronkite was a barrier to manipulation of the Vietnam war job reporting... He put forth his personal beliefs to affect his reporting non-profit organizations Nick Gillespie to Cronkite...
why was walter cronkite so trusted