Why Was Walter Cronkite So Well Respected? 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. Advertisement 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. 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. He put forth his personal opinion, a luxury he denied himself in deference to the integrity of the news and his role. Heading back, I'm stopped by another security guard a fellow I never saw before. #1 Honesty. A 1973 poll showed Walter Cronkite to be "the most trusted man in America." . A bright blue flower in her hair, matching her blue outfit. Terms of Use He . Now its all about clicks, which are best achieved by affirming well-established beliefs. 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 . 3.2.2023 12:01 AM, Jacob Sullum 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 . | Not a hint of self-promotion, no self-serving cause, no work in service to his own ego or career. 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. I didnt know that he grew up in Houston, thats pretty cool! 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. Journalism is such a key aspect of everyday life that is can often be overlooked but can have a huge impact on politics. Track my errors: This hand-built RSS feed will ring every time Slate runs a Press Box correction. "Walter Cronkite came into the living room reporting the news, and people trusted that he was giving them the truth," she said. 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". 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. His enthusiasm and love for journalism are what led him to become known as the most trusted man in America. Cronkite's Big Three Trust Factors #1 - Honesty. Source: IMDB, Walter Cronkite during his time as a war correspondent during WWII. Yet the "most trusted man in America" seemed rather pleased he wasn't recognized at his own front door. News no longer waits for a single trusted voice and "the way it is" depends on who you choose to believe. Advertising Notice 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. In 1981, CBSs mandatory retirement age of 65 required that Cronkite step down from his post. Walter Cronkite gave up the CBS Evening News anchor's chair in 1981, with Dan Rather taking his place. 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). As Bob Schieffer said on a "Face the Nation" program honoring Cronkite, it's why Americans trusted him. 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. Walter had that effect on people." Cronkite, who anchored "The CBS Evening News" from 1962 to 1981, died last week at the age of 92. Legendary television news anchor Walter Cronkite died Friday night at the age of 92. And they'll be looking for me." Quite simply, people trusted what they used, not vice versa, Monck and Hanley write. 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. One Womans Charge Change How News is Reported. "Everybody knew that Walter didn't get his suntan in the studio lights." Cronkite. Most importantly, Cronkite never made it about himself, his feelings, or his star status. Learn everything you can about a topic to ensure that you are known as a valid and trusted resource. Legendary CBS newsman Walter Cronkite, KB2GSD, who held the title of "Most Trusted Man in America," passed away Friday, July 17 after a long illness. Cronkite is laughing now: "So, I tried to explain but the guard wouldn't budge. "I'm very sorry, Mr. Cronkite, " I said as I turned to the clueless guard. Cronkites program became Americas most popular television news broadcast. But we connected with him because of his obvious compassion, modesty, and joyous enthusiasm. What were they? Today, the job he perfected has largely lost its relevance. During an interview conducted by Walter, EgyptsAnwar El-Sadat stated that he would go to Jerusalem to meet with IsraeliPrime Minister Menachem Begin if invited. He covered events such as the moon landing, the assassination of JFK, and Vietnam. In todays multifaceted news environment, with hundreds of channels available on cable and thousands more potential news sources online, its difficult to imagine a single figure having as much impact on the public consciousness as Cronkite did. He did not let his political views get in the way of his reporting. However, once those limitations were removed, Cronkite allowed his passion to ignite. His funeral was held Thursday in New York. He died on July 17, 2009, at age 92. "When the Eagle landed on the moon, I was speechless - overwhelmed, like most of the world. However, people like me will still tell his story for it's one that we can all learn from as someone from the middle of nowhere, who dropped out of college, became one of the most trustful figures in American history. Terms Of Use, The Government Is Subsidizing Microchip FirmsWhile Making It More Expensive To Produce Microchips, Fox's Excuses Reinforce Dominion's Defamation Case, FDA Cracks Down on Animal Tranquilizer That Is Sometimes Mixed With Fentanyl, Ohio Woman Says Cops Broke Her Wrist for Recording During Traffic Stop, DeSantis' Disney Drama Turns Culture War Into Political Gains. The CBS anchor is remembered as a media giant who gruffly championed hard-hitting journalism. 7. 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. Hewas always the responsible father figure. 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. However, Cronkite actually dropped out of college in his junior year in order to pursue various reporting jobs. I also didnt know that he had traveled to Vietnam to report on the war, I think that was very brave of him. Walter Cronkite realized his purpose early in life. 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. As we mourn "the most trusted man in America" we also mourn the kind of television news that no longer exists. Its those characteristics which make him a fearless brand. McLaughlin, who . By Louis Menand. 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 do you think? He hosted programs such as You Are There and The Twentieth Century. While in college, he worked as a part-time journalist for the Houston newspaper. The Most Trusted Man in America didnt get there by calling himself the Most Trusted Man in America. The idea was that this was a very serious job, performed by various serious men.. So how and why did Walter Cronkite become . Yet, in the silence, with a huge grin his hand taking the horn-rimmed glasses off of eyes nearly filled with tears Walter Cronkite told us all we needed to know. "Whew, boy, " he said, as Armstrong descended the ladder. Send your reasons for Cronkitian distrust to slate.pressbox@gmail.com and subscribe to my untrustworthy Twitter feed. | Two months later, it was Walter who broke the news to the American public that Kennedy had been shot. Cronkite showed passion in his work, especially when doing NASA projects. 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. 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