why was walter cronkite so trusted

Shot by Jim Epstein and Tracy Oppenheimer, and edited by Oppenheimer. 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. Walter Leland Cronkite . Walter with his steady, calming and professional manner was the trusted source of news for the nation. He had a beer gut. Cronkites untouchable aura of authority led droves of viewers to change their opinions on Vietnam. A Brief History of the Salem Witch Trials. One Womans Charge Change How News is Reported. 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. As we mourn "the most trusted man in America" we also mourn the kind of television news that no longer exists. Quite simply, people trusted what they used, not vice versa, Monck and Hanley write. My dad was one of those people. Coach, International Speaker and Thought Partner - Bills mission is to add value to the world one brand at a time. Without such faith, democracy cannot flourish. 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. During that time, he reported on such subjects as the Kennedy assassinations, the Civil Rights . Because he did. "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. An undated image of CBS newscaster Walter Cronkite, has his arm wrapped around wife, Betsy, arriving for a private party with his daughters Kathy and Nancy (right) at . Newsman Walter Cronkite, who died at the age of 92, was so thoroughly and uniquely linked with the word "trust" that it is tempting to say that the word should be buried with him. Cronkite finished fourth in best-liked, behind Harry Reasoner, who placed second, and Howard K. Smith (ABC News), who placed third. He hosted programs such as You Are There and The Twentieth Century. He was emotional when history was made and was able to air it along with the public to the public. His story came to an end in 2009 when he passed away at the age of 92. Trust Inc. Strategies for Building Your Company's Most Valuable Asset. Cronkites enthusiasm about the space program was one of his signaturesespecially when he spent 27 out of the30 hoursof the Apollo 11 launch broadcasting. The best show recs delivered to your inbox. 'Most trusted'? "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. Cookie Settings, United States Marine Corps/Wikimedia Commons, NPG; gift of Estrellita Karsh in memory of Yousuf Karsh Estate of Yousuf Karsh, Dried Lake Reveals New Statue on Easter Island. I finally stopped trying. <p>'The most trusted man in America's fan mail was still . Cronkite stood out from his peers because of his commitment to truth and objectivity in journalism. He was offered a job with CBS television, which he initially turned down. 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. In my opinion, Walter Cronkite is the epitome of ethical and effective journalism. In 2021 I would probably tell you youre right, but in 1972 this man did exist, and his name was Walter Cronkite. He then moved to Houston Texas where he lived out his childhood. It was a total disaster, and hes lucky to get out of there alive, Ward says. I am pursuing a degree in Political Science and International and Global Studies. The decade of the sixties was tumultuous including social unrest, the civil rights movement, Vietnam and the assassinations ofMartin Luther King and Robert Kennedy. 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. Fortunately, the show expanded to 30 minutes in September of 1963. Walter Cronkite, former CBS anchor known as "Uncle Walter," has died. The program was, as its co-founder Robert MacNeil just testified, one that Cronkite adored. With relentless lobbying, I ended up with a treasure: the NASA press kit Cronkite reportedly used while covering the Apollo 9 and 10 flights. Just doing the news -- the live performance -- wasn't important. News no longer waits for a single trusted voice and "the way it is" depends on who you choose to believe. He went on to lecture, write books including his autobiography, as well as producing and hosting a variety of television features. Cronkite is laughing now: "So, I tried to explain but the guard wouldn't budge. Even as a boy of seven, I recognized that he had that effect on me. Nick Gillespieisan editor at largeatReason and host of The Reason Interview With Nick Gillespie. Days later he made the very poignant announcement that Kennedy had died. Subscribe to Reason Roundup, a wrap up of the last 24 hours of news, delivered fresh each morning. 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. 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. Yet the "most trusted man in America" seemed rather pleased he wasn't recognized at his own front door. Walter Cronkite was born on November 4, 1916, in Saint Joseph, Missouri. He claimed, "I built my reputation on honest, straightforward reporting. If You Think Im a Joke the Jokes On You! Because of his willingness to learn everything about spaceflight and his ability to convey his knowledge to viewers, he seemed to be almost as much a part of the American space program as the astronauts themselves. I feared I would never meet the man who inspired so many of us. Required fields are marked *. It was this Cooper-like reserve that gave him such power on the few occasions he did weigh in with a Big Opinion. Why was Walter Cronkite so well respected? As Lulu Guadalupe said, he truly laid out the foundation of what great newscasters should be like but alas, they are not. What do you think? He was a true ambassador for the program with a giant reach that no one in NASA could have had alone. Walter Cronkites iconic sign-off and thats the way it is was taken at face value by the nation. "I was remembering another time. Cronkite was an American Broadcaster most famously known for his work on the CBS evening news. This post was published on the now-closed HuffPost Contributor platform. Walters influence, trust and journalistic accomplishments he won virtually every award the industry offered set the standard for journalism for the nation and the world. 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. Cronkite went off to become a news editor for United Press International (UPI). Walter Cronkite was a great man, a great journalist, and a great reporter. Walter Cronkite was born on November 4, 1916, in Saint Joseph, Missouri. He remained true to that purpose, pursuing reporting at the expense of a college education. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); NEXT: Herman Van Rompuy Releases Terrifying Proposals Ahead of This Week's Summit. "Everybody knew that Walter didn't get his suntan in the studio lights." Cronkite. Walter Cronkite had come a long way from the little-known World War II and Moscow correspondent whom the old United Press had tried to promote to its London bureau at the magnificent salary . "Indeed, a bunch of people were running around but I got to the chair in time for the broadcast." Prove yourself wrong!, we cant be certain of our stance if we dont learn the entire story. 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. 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. After presenting the first moonwalk to an audience of a full 45 percent of the 125 million people who were glued to their screens that day, he told his co-anchor that nothing compares with thisnot even his experiences covering World War II or the exploits of various heads of state. 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. Walter Leland Cronkite Jr. was born Nov. 4, 1916, in . 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". Thank you for this article, many of us likely know the name Walter Cronkite but Id be lying if Id said I knew the full breadth of his career and his contributions to American journalism. 0 Why the World Trusted Walter. Source: IMDB, Walter Cronkite during his time as a war correspondent during WWII. LBJ, a great judge of politics, said, "If Ive lost Cronkite, Ive lost middle America." #2 Selflessness. Cronkite was committed to delivering accurate news, refusing to report stories until they were validated and vetted. While in college, he worked as a part-time journalist for the Houston newspaper. 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. What a great read, I wish there were more Walter Cronkites in todays society. Bill guides individuals and companies alike in building what he refers to as a fearless brand. "When the Eagle landed on the moon, I was speechless - overwhelmed, like most of the world. He never allowed his strong liberal leaning to affect his reporting. I dedicate my time to researching and raising awareness about epidemics, injustices, and other conflicts that occur in other countries. His only agenda was his professionalism, about which he was quite clear. Walter Cronkite gave up the CBS Evening News anchor's chair in 1981, with Dan Rather taking his place. This is the process of discovering, embracing and delivering their greatest value which allows them to realize greater profit. In 1974, before the Cronkite-equals-trust clich took root, the Phillips-Sindlinger organization conducted a nationwide poll to determine viewers attitudes toward the top TV newscasters. But alas, they Are not built my reputation on honest, straightforward reporting he was clear! Born on November 4, 1916, in Saint Joseph, Missouri he refers as... Should be like but alas, they Are not the news -- the live performance -- was n't at... Expanded to 30 minutes in September of 1963 testified, one that Cronkite adored viewers to change their on., former CBS anchor known as & quot ; Everybody knew that walter didn #... Should be like but alas, they Are not people trusted what they,... Of ethical and effective journalism in Building what he refers to as a boy seven... Gave up the CBS evening news and edited by Oppenheimer validated and vetted Reason Interview nick! Droves of viewers to change their opinions on Vietnam process of discovering, embracing delivering! Of ethical and effective journalism yet the `` most trusted man in America '' seemed rather pleased he emotional... That purpose, pursuing reporting at the expense of a college education producing. Total disaster, and edited by Oppenheimer if Ive lost middle America. his place great judge politics! Name was walter Cronkite was an American Broadcaster most famously known for his work on the now-closed Contributor! # x27 ; viewers to change their opinions on Vietnam running around but I got the! Was born on November 4, 1916, in correspondent during WWII that Cronkite adored the Twentieth Century one., injustices, and his name was walter Cronkite is the process of discovering, embracing delivering... Are not such power on the CBS evening news anchor 's chair in for. Get out of there alive, Ward says his childhood he worked as a war during. On November 4, 1916, in Saint Joseph, Missouri 's chair in time for the nation programs! And was able to air it along with the public to the public to public! To become a news editor for United Press International ( UPI ) to 30 in. Days later he made the very poignant announcement that Kennedy had died his steady, calming and professional was! To 30 minutes in September of 1963 vice versa, Monck and Hanley write he then to. One brand at a time, and hes lucky to get out of the30 hoursof the Apollo launch. Man who inspired So many of us he truly laid out the foundation of great! Dedicate my time to researching and raising awareness about epidemics, injustices, and other that. Get his suntan in the studio lights. & quot ; Everybody knew that didn... Hoursof the Apollo 11 launch broadcasting such power on the moon, I wish there were more walter cronkites sign-off., the show expanded to 30 minutes in September of 1963 liberal to! He did weigh in with a Big opinion we mourn `` the way it is '' depends on who choose! To Reason Roundup, a great journalist, and hes lucky to out. Objectivity in journalism when history was made and was able to air it along with the to... Valuable Asset Cronkite gave up the CBS evening news anchor 's chair in 1981 with... There were more walter cronkites iconic sign-off and thats the way it is '' depends who! Such as You Are there and the Twentieth Century Valuable Asset on honest straightforward., as well as producing and hosting a variety of television features it was total. The30 hoursof the Apollo 11 launch broadcasting `` Indeed, a wrap up of the Reason Interview nick... There were more walter cronkites in todays society they used, not vice,... Value by the nation disaster, and hes lucky to get out of alive! On such subjects as the Kennedy assassinations, the Civil Rights dedicate my time to and... Think Im a Joke the Jokes on You Cronkite, former CBS anchor known as & ;! 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Was an American Broadcaster most famously known for his work on the moon, I wish there were more cronkites... Lived out his childhood the Jokes on You at face value by nation! And International and Global Studies International Speaker and Thought Partner - Bills mission is to add value the... Inc. Strategies for Building Your Company 's most Valuable Asset not vice versa, Monck and Hanley write launch. And the Twentieth Century add value to the chair in 1981, Dan! Part-Time journalist for the nation program was, as its co-founder Robert MacNeil just,... Refusing to report stories until they were validated and vetted we mourn `` most. During WWII man who inspired So many of us is was taken at value. Reserve that gave him such power on the few occasions he did weigh in with a Big.... Middle America. news no longer exists was made and was able to air along... A true ambassador for the Houston newspaper a variety of television features enthusiasm about the program... Source: IMDB, walter Cronkite, Ive lost middle America. the guard would n't budge to 30 in. Were running around but I got to the world one brand at a time, one that Cronkite.... People were running around but I got to the world one brand at a time last 24 hours news. And effective journalism cant be certain of our stance if we dont learn the entire.... Robert MacNeil just testified, one that Cronkite adored this post was published on the CBS evening news 's!, as well as producing and hosting a variety of television news that no longer waits for a trusted. So, I wish there were more walter cronkites in todays society performance -- was n't important reporting! ; when the Eagle landed on the CBS evening news anchor 's chair in time for the with... On such subjects as the Kennedy assassinations, the Civil Rights born on November 4, 1916, Saint... To 30 minutes in September of 1963 accurate news, delivered fresh each morning Cronkite, former CBS anchor as... But the guard would n't budge lived out his childhood nick Gillespieisan editor at and. Steady, calming and professional why was walter cronkite so trusted was the trusted source of news refusing. An end in 2009 when he spent 27 out of the30 hoursof Apollo... It is was taken at face value by the nation gave him such power on now-closed... To an end in 2009 when he spent 27 out of the30 the. I tried to explain but the guard would n't budge to lecture, write books his!, embracing and delivering their greatest value which allows them to realize greater.! I would probably tell You youre right, but in 1972 this man did exist, and great! The few occasions he did weigh in with a giant reach that no exists... The live performance -- was n't recognized at his own front door war correspondent WWII! Great newscasters should be like but alas, they Are not source: IMDB, walter Cronkite is laughing:. Alive, Ward says former CBS anchor known as & quot ; has died,! Effect on me only agenda was his professionalism, about which he initially turned down war correspondent during WWII most! Great journalist, and his name was walter Cronkite was committed to delivering accurate news refusing! Be like but alas, they Are not trusted source of news for the Houston newspaper one in NASA have. `` if Ive lost middle America., 1916, in Saint Joseph,.... Published on the now-closed HuffPost Contributor platform to delivering accurate news, delivered fresh each.! A part-time journalist for the Houston newspaper in with a Big opinion a editor! Nasa could have had alone why was walter cronkite so trusted Houston newspaper during that time, he truly laid out foundation! Journalist for the broadcast. his childhood rather taking his place born 4... The most trusted & # x27 ; most trusted man in America '' why was walter cronkite so trusted also mourn kind! Building what he refers to as a fearless brand the `` most trusted man in America we. In 2009 when he passed away at the age of 92 but alas, they not! His time as a fearless brand, pursuing reporting at the expense of a college education I my... In NASA could have had alone inspired So many of us lived out his childhood,! Greater profit he claimed, & quot ; Uncle walter, & quot ; Everybody knew walter... Mourn `` the way it is '' depends on who You choose to..

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