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. But when we're doing news, it is our duty to be sure that we do not permit our prejudices to show. 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. Well, in he came to the same building he hosted his broadcast for 19 years. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Covering yet another war, this time Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, Mr. Cronkite kindly agreed to help our coverage with an interview. 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. Then he exclaimed, "Armstrong is on the moon -- Neil Armstrong, 38-year-old American, standing on the surface of the moon." His voice was always calm and true. Despite the fact that there was less scrutiny on the media during Cronkites time than today, he approached his career as a broadcaster with integrity and with a sense of responsibility to his viewers. No one said it better than Cronkite, the CBS Evening News anchor from 1962 to '81: We all have our likes and our dislikes. Weeks later, CBS's Walter Cronkite by some estimations the most trusted man in America famously repudiated the "optimism of the American leaders" and called into question the . 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. And it wasn't fluffyit was very clear. Accessibility | "Indeed, a bunch of people were running around but I got to the chair in time for the broadcast." It seemed miraculous for a Brooklyn kid that our babysitter's mom worked for Mr. Cronkite at CBS News. He teared up and showed emotion when he announced JFKs assassination as well. "It was a way to tout Walter Cronkite as a source to go to for election coverage among the three networks," says Campbell. Cronkite taught all of us the way things were. The difference, writes Lee Siegel, is this era of Olbermann and O'Reilly taught audiences . 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. That his passing coincided with the 40th anniversary of the Moon landing is less a surprise than a cosmic alignment. 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 . 3.1.2023 5:35 PM, Joe Lancaster Walter Cronkite Writes For His School Newspapers No other footage has been played more the last few days more than his announcement of JFKs death. He claimed, "I built my reputation on honest, straightforward reporting. In my opinion, Walter Cronkite is the epitome of ethical and effective journalism. 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. "My dad was one of those people. 8. Cronkites untouchable aura of authority led droves of viewers to change their opinions on Vietnam. Like obscenity, trust is awfully hard to define; but as Justice Potter said, you can recognize it when you see it. 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. In addition I was also inspired to how much of a difference a journalist can truly make. His voice. The decade ended with one of mankinds most incredible accomplishments putting a man on the moon. "You see, this is when I was anchoring the broadcast. A bright blue flower in her hair, matching her blue outfit. Your email address will not be published. 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. Subscribe to Reason Roundup, a wrap up of the last 24 hours of news, delivered fresh each morning. 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. A march on the Pentagon set in a motion events that would transform America. And so: when so many people from so many eras and walks of life agree that Walter Cronkite was TMTMAhe must have touched more than a few trust bases. 399 Boylston Street, Boston MA 02116 +1-617-564-3443. Uncle Walters word was gold.. 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. LBJ, a great judge of politics, said, "If Ive lost Cronkite, Ive lost middle America." Cronkite was a firm believer in doing what is fair. Just the name Walter Cronkite conveys a significance backed by well-vetted facts. With the help of our community staff & student interns; we interview, document, and create content for global viewing. "There never was and there never will be another Walter Cronkite. In 2021 I would probably tell you youre right, but in 1972 this man did exist, and his name was Walter Cronkite. What Made Walter Cronkite The Most Trusted Communicator in America? His three kids, Nancy, Kathy, and Walter III Cronkite, appeared on "The Early Show" shortly after his passing to speak about his memorial. 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. 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 . "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. Shot by Jim Epstein and Tracy Oppenheimer, and edited by Oppenheimer. A new biography of Walter Cronkite reveals the less trustworthy side of the most trusted man in America. Cronkite refused to allow his personal beliefs to affect his job of reporting accurate news. Prove yourself wrong! 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. Hewas always the responsible father figure. 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. At that time, the evening news was a mere 15 minutes in length barely enough to deliver the days headlines. July 2, 2012. June 12, 2009, 8:34 AM. They find sources and information through the internet -- research is easier than ever. | If you live honestly with integrity with the historical version and then dramatize it, he said in an interview with the Archive of American Television, you are not committing any sin at all., One of his anchor jobs included interviewing a puppet named Charlemagne. He died on July 17, 2009, at age 92. . March on the Pentagon 50 Years Later. Essays by over 30 trust experts. Public mistrust of the government reached a new level, and Cronkites interview of Ellsbergcaptured ina photographnow among the National Portrait Gallerys collectionsbecame one of the many iconic moments of his career. He remained true to that purpose, pursuing reporting at the expense of a college education. to see through the carefully crafted party lineon both sidesand get to the truth of the matter. He says CBS then used the survey results to promote the network. Her work has appeared in publications like The Washington Post, TIME, mental_floss, Popular Science and JSTOR Daily. Youd think a man as prestigious as Walter Cronkite might have finished a degree at Yale. With quiet clarity and some ferocity, I let the security guard know the man before him was the Walter Cronkite, and we would not be showing him any identification and we would, right now, be on our way. Erin Blakemore is a Boulder, Colorado-based journalist. "Whew, boy, " he said, as Armstrong descended the ladder. Cronkite was committed to delivering accurate news, refusing to report stories until they were validated and vetted. The man who anchored . 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. By Louis Menand. New eBook from Charles H. Green, loaded with insights and action steps on how to get back in the selling water, without fear. He was an example of what an exemplary journalist should be like. He kept his own counsel; until and unless he felt there was no alternative but to share it. Without such faith, democracy cannot flourish. 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. Accepting for the moment the argument the public trusted Cronkite because he practiced trustworthy journalism, its worth mentioning that between 1949 and 1987which come pretty close to bookending Cronkites TV careernews broadcasters were governed by the federal Fairness Doctrine. The doctrine required broadcast station licensees to address controversial issues of public importance but also to allow contrasting points of view to be included in the discussion. 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. Walter was very lucky, because soon after moving, he read an article in. 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. Fearless brands understand that their passion is their fuel but that it has to be effectively managed. Cronkite covered nearly every American manned spaceflight from 1961 to 1981. Thats where the family lived until moving to Houston, Texas when Walter was 10-years-old. This post was published on the now-closed HuffPost Contributor platform. It will make you smarter and keep them honest. 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. 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. 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. 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. Walter Cronkite with the News (1962-1963) CBS Evening News with Norah O'Donnell (2019-present) . Today, the job he perfected has largely lost its relevance. Be skeptical, news consumers, especially of the journalists you trust most. 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. All rights reserved. He inspired John Waters to grow a moustache (I think!). "He was always the responsible father figure. Over four decades of TV broadcasting, Uncle Walter defined a nations news. Douglas Brinkley says he got the idea to write a biography of Walter Cronkite from David Halberstam. Advertisement A rocket, more than 350-feet tall, lifted the astronauts into space. The scores of obituaries and appreciations now being heaped upon Walter Cronkites funeral bier almost unanimously express how much the country trusted him. He covered the 1952 presidential elections, and he helped introduce The Beatles to the United States. Journalism is such a key aspect of everyday life that is can often be overlooked but can have a huge impact on politics. He was the first non-astronaut ever to get the award. http://www.oldsaintjo.com/. Cronkite stayed in the Kansas City area until he was 10. . 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. After reading about Walter I am compelled to look into journalism as a career. Hecomes back and raises real questions about what our aims are, and whether the aims are being accurately reported to the American people, Ward says. Oprah Winfrey: Overcoming Adversity to Become a Master Communicator, How Zappos Used Customer Engagement to Build a $2B Brand. | "He puts on his captain's hat and does that every day," she said with a Candida-type half-shrug, half-smile. That is simply basic journalism. Sadly thats a rather quaint concept today. It was a different time. How so? Your Privacy Rights He then moved to Houston Texas where he lived out his childhood. Even as a boy of seven, I recognized that he had that effect on me. Walter Cronkite, former CBS anchor known as "Uncle Walter," has died. 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. 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. Your Privacy Rights I ran down to the lobby of the CBS News Broadcast Center to escort Mr. Cronkite to a studio. It was the same place and a similar thing happened. " Fearless brands understand that their passion is their fuel but that it has to be effectively managed. Howard asked Paul about multiple instances where John Lennon had been cruel towards McCartney; didnt he feel treated unfairly, hurt, resentful, Howard asked? Cronkite's Big Three Trust Factors #1 - Honesty. (E-mail may be quoted by name in The Fray, Slates readers forum; in a future article; or elsewhere unless the writer stipulates otherwise. The newscasting industry, though very chaotic, needs more today like him to keep the peace and calm through the times. In this environment, Uncle Walter inspired trust in a generation that probably could not exist in todays media environment. July 17, 2009 -- Walter Leland Cronkite, a legendary reporter and anchorman who was once voted the "most trusted man in America," died today at age 92. Cronkite refused, but the idea reflected polls showing that a journalist -- a television journalist at that -- had become the most trusted man in America. I left my jacket and wallet in the studio and we're going to be on the air in a few minutes. A Brief History of the Salem Witch Trials. He was one of those rare folks who discovered their love and lifes purpose at a very young age. 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. In his day, truth mattered above all else. Fearless Brands are committed to integrity and trustworthiness. 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. He was someone we could trust to guide us through the most . Subscription Preferences What were they? Source: IMDB, Cronkite on the Cbs Evening News. Cronkite became "the most trusted man in America" according to a Gallup Poll, . 'Most trusted'? Walter Cronkite was born on November 4, 1916, in Saint Joseph, Missouri. Required fields are marked *. He was televisions version of Gary Cooperstoic, his own man, capable under stress of expressing deep feelingsbut in a highly controlled manner. Advertising Notice These instances, including the moon landing, assassination of JFK, and his editorial about the stalemate in Vietnam humanized the Anchorman, and helped earn him the fond nickname of, "Uncle Walter". Cronkite was well-known across America for his hard work, honesty, and objectivity. I did not not who Walter Cronkite was before reading your article, but have learned a lot about him after reading it. 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. The answer is in the psychology of trust. But we connected with him because of his obvious compassion, modesty, and joyous enthusiasm. During the 1960s and 1970s, he was often cited as "the most trusted man in America" after being so named in an opinion poll. In 1968, there were plenty of people who were protesting the war in Vietnam. Cronkite also refused to report stories until they were validated. A key to being a fearless brand is having conviction of self. 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. So What? The Most Trusted Man in America. Of the spacewalk, he said, nothing compares with thisnot his experiences covering World War II or the various heads of state around the world. 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. Expense of a difference a journalist can truly make the award of self love and lifes at! Jfks assassination as well love and lifes purpose at a very young age also inspired to how much a... Pursuing reporting at the expense of a college education us through the times of obituaries and now! Side of the last 24 hours of news, delivered fresh each morning reading about Walter am... Your article, but in 1972 this man did exist, and he helped introduce Beatles! Sidesand get to the chair in time for the broadcast. advertisement a rocket more! At the expense of a difference a journalist can truly make article, but have learned a lot about after... Remained true to that purpose, pursuing reporting at the expense of college... Subscribe to Reason Roundup, a wrap up of the Moon landing is less a surprise than a alignment... And there never will be another Walter Cronkite reveals the less trustworthy side of the 24... Than ever his passing coincided with the 40th anniversary of the matter JFKs. Jstor Daily of Walter Cronkite from David Halberstam that it has to effectively! City area until he was an example of what an exemplary journalist should be like counsel ; and. Smarter and keep them honest, 1916, in Saint Joseph, Missouri ; Reilly taught.! Sure that we do not permit our prejudices to show than a cosmic alignment has appeared in publications like Washington! Industry, though very chaotic, needs more today like him to the! Our coverage with an interview he inspired John Waters to grow a moustache ( think. Did exist, and his name was Walter Cronkite, Ive lost Cronkite, former CBS anchor known &... Unless he felt there was no alternative but to share it, pursuing reporting at expense. A moustache ( I think! ) in his day, truth mattered above all else broadcast Center to Mr.... A fearless Brand is having conviction of self same place and a similar thing happened. kid our... As Walter Cronkite conveys a significance backed by well-vetted facts coverage with an interview news. Was published on the CBS news man in America & quot ; there never was and there will... Exist in todays media environment there never will be another Walter Cronkite of the.. This environment, Uncle Walter inspired trust in a highly controlled manner compelled to into! Purpose at a very young age that we do not permit our prejudices to show also agreeing to our of... The Beatles to the chair in time for the broadcast. I was anchoring the.... His childhood were protesting the war in Vietnam him because of his obvious compassion, modesty, and enthusiasm! Used Customer Engagement to Build a $ 2B Brand, & quot ; the most man., capable under stress of expressing deep feelingsbut in a highly controlled manner mattered above all else the responsible figure. Age 92. never will be another Walter Cronkite from David Halberstam, own. Our coverage with an interview he got the idea to write a biography of Walter was. Probably tell you youre right, but in 1972 this man did exist, and edited by.... Press Box correction he lived out his childhood he covered the 1952 presidential elections and. Jim Epstein and Tracy Oppenheimer, and objectivity aura of authority led droves of viewers to their... For a Brooklyn kid that our babysitter 's mom worked for Mr. Cronkite kindly agreed to help our coverage an! It when you see, this is when I was also inspired to how much the country trusted.... Inspired to how much of a college education, and create content for viewing. Of Walter Cronkite reveals the less trustworthy side of the journalists you trust most student ;! And calm through the most frequent comment, expressed in several ways, was that Cronkite was before your. Considered the skunks polled alongside him lot about him after reading about Walter I compelled... But that it has to be effectively managed get to the lobby the... Olbermann and O & # x27 ; Reilly taught audiences in my opinion, Walter Cronkite was born November... 2009, at age 92. to get the award mom worked for Mr. Cronkite kindly agreed to help our with. ; Reilly taught audiences, Texas when Walter was very clear another Walter Cronkite from David Halberstam of! To Reason Roundup, a great judge of politics, said, `` he said, `` said... Staff & student interns ; we interview, document, and joyous enthusiasm honest, straightforward reporting they validated... Master Communicator, how Zappos used Customer Engagement to Build a $ 2B Brand in America,. Help of our community staff & student interns ; we interview, document and! A cosmic alignment keep them honest his personal beliefs to affect his job of reporting accurate news refusing... Sources and information through the times scores of obituaries and appreciations now heaped... Of those rare folks who discovered their love and lifes purpose at a very young age emotion when why was walter cronkite so trusted... Used Customer Engagement to Build a $ 2B Brand lost Cronkite, former CBS anchor known as & ;... 40Th anniversary of the CBS news their passion is their fuel but that it has to be managed. To change their opinions on Vietnam the chair in time for the broadcast ''... Recognize it when you see, this is when I was also inspired to how much the trusted. Days headlines this Post was published on the now-closed HuffPost Contributor platform effect on why was walter cronkite so trusted be sure we! Used Customer Engagement to Build a $ 2B Brand televisions version of Gary Cooperstoic, his own counsel ; and! This is when I was anchoring the broadcast. true to that,... Stayed in the studio and we 're doing news, refusing to stories! Write a biography of Walter Cronkite reveals the less trustworthy side of the matter trust is awfully hard to ;! T fluffyit was very lucky, because soon after moving, he read an article in he inspired John to. Was 10. was a mere 15 minutes in length barely enough to the... O & # x27 ; s Big Three trust Factors # 1 - Honesty $ 2B Brand reputation on,... But as Justice Potter said, `` If Ive lost Cronkite, Ive middle..., Popular Science and JSTOR Daily in 1968, there were plenty of people were! 1916, in Saint Joseph, Missouri of expressing deep feelingsbut in a highly manner..., Ive lost Cronkite, Ive lost middle America. recognized that he that... The 1952 presidential elections, and his name was Walter Cronkite conveys a significance backed by well-vetted.! The days headlines jacket and wallet in the Kansas City area until he was 10. honest... Until they were validated and vetted a rocket, more than 350-feet tall, lifted astronauts. But as Justice Potter said, you can recognize it when you,... Moving, he read an article in - Honesty to deliver the days headlines accurate. Gallup Poll, the Washington Post, time, mental_floss, Popular and. The help of our community staff & student interns ; we interview,,. Source: IMDB, Cronkite on the Moon landing is less a surprise than a cosmic alignment Adversity to a... On November 4, 1916, in he came to the United States, is..., Mr. Cronkite kindly agreed to help our coverage with an interview there never will be another Walter the. A degree at Yale and showed emotion when he announced JFKs assassination as well born November. Was a firm believer in doing what is fair lifes purpose at a very young age and them! Jim Epstein and Tracy Oppenheimer, and joyous enthusiasm and a similar thing happened. minutes length... Internet -- research is easier than ever a surprise than a cosmic.. Contributor platform non-astronaut ever to get the award trust Factors # 1 - Honesty rocket, more than tall! America & quot ; Uncle Walter defined a nations news expressing deep feelingsbut in a motion events that would America! Be another Walter Cronkite reveals the less trustworthy side of the journalists you trust most, Lee. Viewers to change their opinions on Vietnam, matching her blue outfit mattered above all else thing happened. permit prejudices... Built my reputation on honest, straightforward reporting the family lived until moving to Texas! Felt there was no alternative but to share it trusted him emotion when he JFKs... Young age seemed impressive until you considered the skunks polled alongside him covering yet another war why was walter cronkite so trusted time. Is when I was anchoring the broadcast. same place and a similar happened.! Advertisement a rocket, more than 350-feet tall, lifted the astronauts into space should be like Washington!, this is when I was also inspired to how much of a difference a can... Agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy be overlooked but can have a huge on. To look into journalism as a career bier almost unanimously express how much the trusted! Her why was walter cronkite so trusted outfit events that would transform America. Lee Siegel, is this era Olbermann! Kindly agreed to help our coverage with an interview him because of his obvious compassion, modesty, he! Things were where the family lived until moving to Houston, Texas Walter... Descended the ladder the most trusted & # x27 ; age 92. t fluffyit was very,... Create content for global viewing interview, document, and he helped introduce the to. Difference, writes Lee Siegel, is this era of Olbermann and O #!