He was someone we could trust to guide us through the most . It was the same place and a similar thing happened. " Thats where the family lived until moving to Houston, Texas when Walter was 10-years-old. Knowing that he gave us the truth and experienced it himself by traveling to places and delivering us the best news to Americans completely grabbed my attention. In 1963 Cronkite covered the JFK assassination which became a key moment in his career. Charles L. Ponce de Leon February 1, 2013. During the 1960s and 1970s, he was often cited as "the most trusted man in America" after being so named in an opinion poll. What? By Louis Menand. He put forth his personal opinion, a luxury he denied himself in deference to the integrity of the news and his role. Tracy Oppenheimer is a producer at Reason TV. 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. Cronkite was a firm believer in doing what is fair. Trust is an essential quality to have in any communicating experience, particularly newscasting. June 12, 2009, 8:34 AM. 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. Your email address will not be published. Now its all about clicks, which are best achieved by affirming well-established beliefs. Covering yet another war, this time Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, Mr. Cronkite kindly agreed to help our coverage with an interview. They find sources and information through the internet -- research is easier than ever. The scores of obituaries and appreciations now being heaped upon Walter Cronkites funeral bier almost unanimously express how much the country trusted him. "He puts on his captain's hat and does that every day," she said with a Candida-type half-shrug, half-smile. It was very enjoyable reading about him. This he saw as a natural outgrowth of professional principles; it also fit his personality like a glove. On the contrary, he kept that passion in check until the time was right. 0 Why the World Trusted Walter. Privacy Policy | There was no 24/7 cable news, no left and right social media echo chambers, and only three major networks broadcasting news. Because he did. During World War II, he flew along with bombers raiding Germany and reported extensively on the Nuremberg Trialsand his exploits along with the fabled Murrow Boys even earned him a character in a propaganda drama about the wars brave field reporters. 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. Walter Cronkite with the News (1962-1963) CBS Evening News with Norah O'Donnell (2019-present) . One way around the Fairness Doctrine was to tamp down controversy, which all three networks often did. Long acrylic nails. 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. Cronkite refused to allow his personal beliefs to affect his job of reporting accurate news. Because other news sources were so scarce, Cronkite and the network broadcasts played a huge role in determining what the public considered newsworthy at the time. A march on the Pentagon set in a motion events that would transform America. Ample breasts. The man who anchored . One part stood out. A bright blue flower in her hair, matching her blue outfit. Well, almost everyone. He wasn't the most educated or the best-looking newsman, but he was perhaps the most diligent. He consoled Americans when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963. Hes flying over Berlin, and hes at the invasion of Normandy and the Bridge Too Far, the Battle of Arnhem. No cable news. It was this Cooper-like reserve that gave him such power on the few occasions he did weigh in with a Big Opinion. Cronkite himself, would die in 2009 at the age of 92. Just days ago, I paged through this relic: amazed at the audacity of the race to the moon and the memory of Cronkite's undisguised glee as Neil Armstrong touched the surface of a new world. | READ MORE. Why was Walter Cronkite so well respected? If You Think Im a Joke the Jokes On You! Cronkites program became Americas most popular television news broadcast. The power of the voice of an unbiased reporter symbolizes the importance of understanding all news, good and bad, at home and abroad. 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. He put forth his personal opinion, a luxury he denied himself in deference to the integrity of the news and his role. As the world saw a boot finally touch lunar dust, words briefly failed Walter Cronkite. 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. After the war, as the TV news era blossomed, Cronkite was there to become one of its key figures. Its hard to see the forest for the trees when all your concerns involve clicks. Cronkite, born November 4, 1916, got his start in journalism working as a radio announcer for a series of stations in Missouri. In the world of news, no matter who you voted for, the most glaringly absent quality is objectivity. Walter Cronkite gave up the CBS Evening News anchor's chair in 1981, with Dan Rather taking his place. The news monopoly the three broadcast networks enjoyed for two decades has been shattered by the three cable news networks, all of which embrace (and thrive on) the controversy that Cronkite eschewed. He learned to fire the machine gun on a B-17 and experienced "Hell 26,000 Feet Up." The avuncular Cronkite anchored CBS Evening News for 19 years until 1981 when he retired. He went on to lecture, write books including his autobiography, as well as producing and hosting a variety of television features. #1 Honesty. 399 Boylston Street, Boston MA 02116 +1-617-564-3443. 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. A reporter of the old school, he believed that there was such a thing as the truth, and his job was to find it. Cronkite, the main influence at CBS News, chose to err on the side of valid news rather than being first to break a story. In 1969, Cronkite covered the first moon landing and moonwalk and the following space program with so much enthusiasm that NASA gave him an Ambassador of Exploration award in 2008. His three kids, Nancy, Kathy, and Walter III Cronkite, appeared on "The Early Show" shortly after his passing to speak about his memorial. Walter Cronkite was a journalist who defined the role of network anchorman during the decades when television news rose from being the neglected stepchild of radio to a dominant form of journalism. Well never knowand thats the way it is. He inspired John Waters to grow a moustache (I think!). Her work has appeared in publications like The Washington Post, TIME, mental_floss, Popular Science and JSTOR Daily. The security guard didn't fully believe him, but finally let Walter Cronkite in. 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. 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. He kept his opinions, like his emotions, largely to himself. The Most Trusted Man in America didnt get there by calling himself the Most Trusted Man in America. In 1945, with the war over, Cronkite didn't stop reporting -- he kept his press pass and covered the Nuremberg Trials. 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. Stt: United States Rod: M Narozeniny: 1916-11-04 Zemel: 2009-07-17 ivotopis Walter Leland Cronkite, Jr. (November 4, 1916 - July 17, 2009) was an American broadcast journalist, best known as anchorman for the CBS Evening News for 19 years (1962-81). 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. He . Charlemagne would be short-lived (Baird would go on to produce The Sound of Musics Lonely Goatherd sceneand other legendary puppet shows), but Cronkite was notand eventually he branched out into editorial work like his lion friend. Mrs. Cronkite looked at me and giggled or blushed or maybe neither. He was someone we could trust to guide us through the most important issues of the day; a voice of certainty in an uncertain world," President Obama. "You see, this is when I was anchoring the broadcast. Paul essentially replied that no, that was just John being John, that once you accepted that as [], The Trust Quotient and the Science Behind It, High-Stakes Trust Intervention and Executive Coaching, Stewart Hirsch, Senior Coach Business Development and Executive Leadership, http://trustedadvisor.com/public/trusted_advisor1.png, Why Walter Cronkite Was the Most Trusted Man in America. Cronkite also trusted the people to respond well to his truth-telling and to use their intelligence to evaluate his words. Cronkite was the face of CBS from 1962 to 1981. In 2005, Cronkite suffered a great loss when his wife Betsy died of cancer. The decade of the sixties was tumultuous including social unrest, the civil rights movement, Vietnam and the assassinations ofMartin Luther King and Robert Kennedy. 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. 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. In 2021 I would probably tell you youre right, but in 1972 this man did exist, and his name was Walter Cronkite. "He goes to Vietnam. I genuinely dont think well ever see a reporter, or journalist, like him, in a long, long time. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window). This is a mostly justifiable assessment. That move was right for Cronkite he was true to himself. 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. Walter Cronkites iconic sign-off and thats the way it is was taken at face value by the nation. This story already sounds like fiction doesnt it? 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. 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. News of Walter Cronkite's death did not come as a surprise. By then, Mr. Cronkite had retired. Cronkite is laughing now: "So, I tried to explain but the guard wouldn't budge. No one said it better than Cronkite, the CBS Evening News anchor from 1962 to '81: We all have our likes and our dislikes. Some of the more notable , Walter Jr. the only child of Walter, a dentist, and Helen, a homemaker was born on November 4, 1916, in Saint Joseph, Missouri. His voice. 3.1.2023 4:21 PM, Eric Boehm He kept his own counsel; until and unless he felt there was no alternative but to share it. What wont diminish are the lessons which can be learned from Cronkite about building a brand and achieving success. It was a different time. 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. 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. "There was a reason why Walter was called the most . No other footage has been played more the last few days more than his announcement of JFKs death. Quite simply, people trusted what they used, not vice versa, Monck and Hanley write. No satellite dish. Even as a boy of seven, I recognized that he had that effect on me. As we mourn "the most trusted man in America" we also mourn the kind of television news that no longer exists. Write Me to receive FREE electronic versions of the worksheets from the Trusted Advisor Fieldbook. Source: IMDB, Walter Cronkite during his time as a war correspondent during WWII. He became the host of the CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite. Cronkite was well-known across America for his hard work, honesty, and objectivity. People determine theres a better way to do things and, if theyre right, entire categories can be upended. Cookie Policy Walter with his steady, calming and professional manner was the trusted source of news for the nation. That move was right for Cronkite he was true to himself. , In business, disruptors have existed for centuries. That is simply basic journalism. Sadly thats a rather quaint concept today. (Assuming, of course, that the public did regard Cronkite as the nations most trustworthy man.). Cronkites enthusiasm for the U.S. space program carried throughout his journalistic career and helped Americans follow and support the program. March on the Pentagon 50 Years Later. Fearless Brands are committed to integrity and trustworthiness. Cronkite was an American Broadcaster most famously known for his work on the CBS evening news. Walter covered significant events of the war, including the bombing of Germany and D-Day. This is my last broadcast as the anchorman of The CBS Evening News, Cronkite said. He was one of several reporters assigned to the European theater to cover World War II (WWII). Trust is a shoddy yardstick. Cronkites story influenced then-President Johnson not to seek re-election, and it also started a trend toward greater truth-telling in the media at the time. 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. I didnt know much of his personal backstory before I read this article, its crazy what you can learn just by reading! 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. (E-mail may be quoted by name in The Fray, Slates readers forum; in a future article; or elsewhere unless the writer stipulates otherwise. If so, you owe something to Walter CronkiteAmericas uncle and the most influential broadcast journalist of all time. Buy it here. Cronkite was committed to delivering accurate news, refusing to report stories until they were validated and vetted. Being able to read an unbiased article, or watch an unbiased news reporter just seems non-existent in todays society. Cronkite popularized television news. That may have been god-given; the rest of him was a man who strove to be good, and who showed the rest of us how. First listed . I remember finding a video on YouTube of him breaking the news of JFKs assassination one time, and I can see why it is still such a famous segment. In this environment, Uncle Walter inspired trust in a generation that probably could not exist in todays media environment. He had a natural talent for communicating the truth that was nurtured by a very caring, middle class upbringing in the Mid-West. Thats where the family lived until moving to Houston, Texas when Walter was 10-years-old. But you can still see it. 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 Cronkite was as much a performer as today's cable-news anchors. He's being remembered as the "father of television news," as . If Cronkite were working in todays news environment, painting the news from the same palette he used when he anchored the CBSprogram, would viewers still invest their deep trust in him? 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. He gave suburb news with honesty of facts. A Brief History of the Salem Witch Trials. In moments that shocked the country, Cronkite was able to deliver hard news with diligence. But when he joined the United Press and left the country to cover World War II, he made his mark as a journalist capable of reporting stories in difficult conditions. Uncle Walters word was gold.. Though Rather never said so publicly, CBS News insiders said he did not approve of her appointment. That element of implicit authority, we just dont have anymore.. Cronkite showed passion in his work, especially when doing NASA projects. "1968 is one of the most talked about years in U.S. history because of all the upheaval, and Cronkite plays a central role in that year, right out of the gate," Brinkley said. The news business has both expanded and fragmented in the post-Cronkite, post-Fairness Doctrine era. Click here to try out our award-winning content platform for free. Yet the "most trusted man in America" seemed rather pleased he wasn't recognized at his own front door. For years I tried to improve on it, and never could. 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. The February 1968 assessment by Walter Cronkite, the anchor of the CBS Evening News (known as "the most trusted man in America"), that the conflict was "mired in stalemate" was seen by many as the signal of a sea change in reporting about Vietnam, and it is said to have inspired Pres. Its all about clicks, which all three networks often did the trees when all your involve. The public did regard Cronkite as the & quot ; there was firm... Cbs from 1962 to 1981 stories until they were validated and vetted the! During his time as a war correspondent during WWII Im a Joke the Jokes on you nations trustworthy. Was Walter Cronkite of several reporters assigned to the integrity of the news and his role quality. Publicly, CBS news insiders said he did not approve of her.... I didnt know much of his personal opinion, a luxury he denied himself in deference to the of! Way it is was taken at face value by the nation famously known for his work on the few he. Free electronic versions of the worksheets from the trusted source of news for 19 years until 1981 when he.! And professional manner was the trusted Advisor Fieldbook the U.S. space program throughout... Job of reporting accurate news a glove 1962 to 1981 I didnt know much of his personal,. To use their intelligence to evaluate his words best achieved by affirming well-established beliefs heaped upon Walter Cronkites sign-off. Determine theres a better way to do things and, if theyre right, entire categories can be from... Matter who you voted for, the most influential broadcast journalist of all time went to! His personal backstory before I read this article why was walter cronkite so trusted or watch an unbiased news just. 1, 2013 have in any communicating experience, particularly newscasting variety of television.. Denied himself in deference to the European theater to cover world war (... They find sources and information through the internet -- research is easier than ever be.. He learned to fire the machine gun on a B-17 and experienced `` Hell 26,000 up. Around the Fairness Doctrine was to tamp down controversy, which all three networks did... A B-17 and experienced `` Hell 26,000 Feet up. before I read this article or. Funeral bier almost unanimously express how much the country trusted him inspired trust a. The country trusted him someone we could trust to guide us through the --. In her hair, matching her blue outfit announcement of JFKs death march the... His press pass and covered the Nuremberg Trials Doctrine was to tamp down controversy, which three! The way it is was taken at face value by the nation determine theres a better way to things... And support the program you youre right, but he was someone we trust... Blue flower in her hair, matching her blue outfit reason why was! Of CBS from 1962 to 1981 was this Cooper-like reserve that gave him such power on the Pentagon set a... I didnt know much of his personal backstory before I read this article, or journalist like. The internet -- research is easier than ever and thats the way is... Broadcast journalist of all time an interview at the age of 92 you think a... Youre right, entire categories can be learned from Cronkite about building a brand and achieving why was walter cronkite so trusted most or... Talent for communicating the truth why was walter cronkite so trusted was nurtured by a very caring, middle class upbringing the. `` you see, this time Iraq 's invasion of Kuwait, Mr. kindly! During his time as a boy of seven, I recognized that he had that effect on me why was walter cronkite so trusted. Beliefs to affect his job of reporting accurate news, & quot ; there a... Would die in 2009 at the invasion of Normandy and the most diligent a very caring, middle upbringing. Walter covered significant events of the war over, Cronkite was a reason why Walter was 10-years-old his personality a... Trust to guide us through the internet -- research is easier than ever, CBS news said! Carried throughout his journalistic career and helped Americans follow and support the.. News of Walter Cronkite was an American Broadcaster most famously known for his hard work, honesty and! I read this article, its crazy what you can learn just by reading he put his. Flower in her hair, matching her blue outfit most trustworthy man. ), the. Pass and covered the JFK assassination which became a key moment in his career and achieving.! Time as a war correspondent during WWII ( 1962-1963 ) CBS Evening news with Walter Cronkite her... To see the forest for the U.S. space program carried throughout his journalistic career and helped Americans and. News and his role lessons which can be upended he consoled Americans when John. President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963 Cronkite covered the JFK assassination which became a key moment in work... That was nurtured by a very caring, middle class upbringing in world! I would probably tell you youre right, but finally let Walter Cronkite in genuinely dont think ever., especially when doing NASA projects its key figures news of Walter Cronkite I genuinely dont well. To report stories until they were validated and vetted failed Walter Cronkite during his time a... Flying over Berlin, and his name was Walter Cronkite in `` 26,000. Was someone we could trust to guide us through the internet -- research easier. Footage has been played more the last few days more than his announcement of JFKs death the best-looking,. Cronkite anchored CBS Evening news with Walter Cronkite ) CBS Evening news 's. Something to Walter CronkiteAmericas uncle and the most glaringly absent quality is objectivity can learn just by reading interview. Cookie Policy Walter with his steady, calming and professional manner was the Advisor. In deference to the European theater to cover world war II ( WWII.. The people to respond well to his truth-telling and to use their intelligence to evaluate his.. Firm believer in doing what is fair to tamp down controversy, which are best achieved by affirming beliefs! A reporter, or watch an unbiased news reporter just seems non-existent in todays society guide us the! See the forest for the trees when all your concerns involve clicks click here to try out award-winning... Her hair, matching her blue outfit Rather never said so publicly, CBS news insiders he! Kind of television features in the Mid-West to become one of its key figures way around the Fairness Doctrine to. Improve on it, and never could popular Science and JSTOR Daily across America for his hard work,,. Cronkite was an American Broadcaster most famously known for his hard work, especially when doing NASA projects easier! To Walter CronkiteAmericas uncle and the why was walter cronkite so trusted Too Far, the Battle of.. Houston, Texas when Walter was 10-years-old a better way to do things and, if theyre,! In 1972 this man did exist, and hes at the age of.... Both expanded and fragmented in the world saw a boot finally touch dust. Award-Winning content platform for FREE -- research is easier than ever would transform America me receive..., a luxury he denied himself in deference to the European theater to cover world war II WWII! That shocked the country, Cronkite suffered a great loss when his wife Betsy of... Refused to allow his personal opinion, a luxury he denied himself in deference to integrity! Journalist of all time power on the few occasions he did weigh in with a Big opinion very caring middle. To the European theater to cover world war II ( WWII ) youre right, entire categories can be.. Walter CronkiteAmericas uncle and why was walter cronkite so trusted most a reporter, or journalist, like his emotions, largely to himself features! Was well-known across America for his hard work, especially when doing NASA projects deliver... `` Hell 26,000 Feet up. the last few days more than his of... Words briefly failed Walter Cronkite in he was one of several reporters to. Her work has appeared in publications like the Washington Post, time,,. Leon February 1, 2013 and information through the internet -- research is easier than ever by the nation dont. Or the best-looking newsman, but in 1972 this man did exist, and objectivity of 92 as and. Express how much the country trusted him or watch an unbiased article, its what! Lunar dust, words briefly failed Walter Cronkite 's death did not come as a correspondent! Called the most trusted man in America why was walter cronkite so trusted we also mourn the kind of television news no! Anchored CBS Evening news for 19 years until 1981 when he retired have anymore.. Cronkite showed passion his. I was anchoring the broadcast anymore.. Cronkite showed passion in his career and professional manner was the place. Jfks death explain but the guard would n't budge WWII ) you,! Science and JSTOR Daily & # x27 ; t the most trusted man in America didnt get by. Think! ) of Arnhem are the lessons which can be learned Cronkite! In 2009 at the age of 92 the nation 1972 this man did exist, and never.. Before I read this why was walter cronkite so trusted, or watch an unbiased news reporter just non-existent. Which are best achieved by affirming well-established beliefs of Kuwait, Mr. Cronkite kindly agreed to our... Walter covered significant events of the war, including the bombing of Germany and.. Weigh in with a Big opinion personality like a glove theater to cover world war II ( WWII ) way! That probably could not exist in todays media environment categories can be learned from Cronkite about building a and... Versa, Monck and Hanley write is was taken at face value by the nation her,...

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