In 1950, Cronkite finally joined CBS after numerous offers. 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. Your email address will not be published. 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). 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. These news performances are in stark contrast to Walter Cronkites definition of news. He sailed. 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. 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. | He never allowed his broader passion to diminish and die. The decade of the sixties was tumultuous including social unrest, the civil rights movement, Vietnam and the assassinations ofMartin Luther King and Robert Kennedy. Fuel your passion After he retired, Cronkite began to openly pursue causes he believed in. Cronkite continued to do special reports and other media appearances up until his death in 2009. But some unscrupulous actions outlined in the book muddy his otherwise almost spotless reputation, and . Click here to try out our award-winning content platform for free. He learned to fire the machine gun on a B-17 and experienced "Hell 26,000 Feet Up." I feel like nowadays we let our political views get in the way of each and every news story that it almost seems biased now. People determine theres a better way to do things and, if theyre right, entire categories can be upended. "My dad was one of those people. 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. It was 1977. He kept his opinions, like his emotions, largely to himself. "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. He was a true ambassador for the program with a giant reach that no one in NASA could have had alone. He then went on to enroll at the University of Texas in Austin, where he studied political science, economics, and journalism. Privacy Statement Cronkite strongly influenced the politics and outcome of the Vietnam War. He had a natural talent for communicating the truth that was nurtured by a very caring, middle class upbringing in the Mid-West. Walter Leland Cronkite . The terrible truth is that Walter Cronkite symbolized liberal media bias and used that bias with disastrous consequences for our nation and the world. The longtime New York City townhouse that once belonged to Walter Cronkite, otherwise known as the most trusted man in news, has quietly sold for $7.25 million, The Post has learned. The news today, regardless of political affiliation, more closely resembles professional wrestling crossed with a high school grapevine. "I was remembering another time. Walter Cronkite Writes For His School Newspapers Be true to yourself and your profession Walter Cronkite realized his purpose early in life. He consoled Americans when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963. 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? Not a hint of self-promotion, no self-serving cause, no work in service to his own ego or career. The CBS anchor is remembered as a media giant who gruffly championed hard-hitting journalism. 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. Walter Cronkite was the embodiment of true journalism factual, genuine, fair and accurate reporting. 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. 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. The most frequent comment, expressed in several ways, was that Cronkite was honest. Ample breasts. 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. But one of his lesser-known jobs included a make-believe sidekicka lion named Charlemagnein a short-lived CBS show designed to compete with The Today Show. All that endures of my connection with CBS first morning showis that I conversed with a puppet, the newsman wrote wryly in his memoir. After the war, Walter would cover the Nuremberg war trials. It was his integrity and commitment to fair reporting which established him as the most trusted man in America. This he saw as a natural outgrowth of professional principles; it also fit his personality like a glove. Fortunately, the show expanded to 30 minutes in September of 1963. Learn more at erinblakemore.com. Cronkite is famous not only for his impartiality and journalistic integrity, but the few recorded instances of emotion he expressed on air. Other reasons we shouldnt have trusted Cronkite. The idea was that this was a very serious job, performed by various serious men.. 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. Send your reasons for Cronkitian distrust to slate.pressbox@gmail.com and subscribe to my untrustworthy Twitter feed. The Most Trusted Man in America. How did Cronkite join this popularity list in the first place? He began his career with a commitment to journalism as well. "You need to show me some ID.," the fellow demanded. Nice job! Integrity would not allow that. I liked reporting as well. Well never knowand thats the way it is. "He goes to Vietnam. We trusted him and that . Walter was very lucky, because soon after moving, he read an article inBoys Lifemagazine which chronicled the adventures and assignments of reporters working around the world. I hope that journalists reconsider their stories before they publish them. What? 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. Seek the complete storyIn Cronkites own words In seeking truth you have to get both sides of a story.That approach is a rare quality in todays journalism circles in our society for that matter. 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 . And one last thing. However, once those limitations were removed, Cronkite allowed his passion to ignite. It isn't enough to say that he was the "most trusted man in America," as. Its the fact that hes a firmly established, mainstream, church-going, centrist, respectable person that matters.. The best show recs delivered to your inbox. Events, products or items Trusted Advisor recommends that may be of benefit to you, Some years ago I wrote about a Better New Years Resolution. It was pretty good, if I do say so myself. This post was published on the now-closed HuffPost Contributor platform. | During WWII, Walter Cronkite flew in a real bombing mission over Germany. A Brief History of the Salem Witch Trials. Accessibility | Charles L. Ponce de Leon February 1, 2013. News no longer waits for a single trusted voice and "the way it is" depends on who you choose to believe. Today, more and more reporters never leave the comforts of their desks. 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. During a casual . He was 92 and had homes in New York and Martha's Vineyard, Mass. Inspired by Army Division nicknames such as the Fighting 1st, the pool of writers dubbed themselves the Writing 69th. It will make you smarter and keep them honest. It is nice to know that at one point we had a news reporter who cared about honest straightforward reporting and avoided involving his own political views about events that were occurring in America and outside the country. Cronkite was born on November 4, 1916, in Saint Joseph, Missouri. He was an outstanding journalist, to be sure. His latest cause was world government and. 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? During the 1960s and 1970s, he was often cited as "the most trusted man in America" after being so named in an opinion poll. I am currently a senior at St. Marys University in San Antonio, Texas. The news business has both expanded and fragmented in the post-Cronkite, post-Fairness Doctrine era. It must have been comforting to have a reliable and trusted reporter in such uncertain times in American History. For me, its a moment for which I long have planned, but which, nevertheless, comes with some sadness. Network management put an end to that practice on the very first night. The Most Trusted Man in America didnt get there by calling himself the Most Trusted Man in America. 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. Essays by over 30 trust experts. Your ambitious agenda is filling a desperate need.". Why was Walter Cronkite the epitome of trust? McLaughlin, who . The CBS News security man began to protest but saw a murderous look in my eye and wisely let us pass. Haven't got the Fieldbook yet? Trust is an essential quality to have in any communicating experience, particularly newscasting. For e-mail notification of errors in this specific column, type the word Cronkite in the subject head of an e-mail message, and send it to slate.pressbox@gmail.com. | That element of implicit authority, we just dont have anymore.. It was a different time. This was a fascinating article about a journalist that I have never heard of before. This is a mostly justifiable assessment. As I prepared to whisk him off, a security guard at the front desk stopped him. Today, the job he perfected has largely lost its relevance. If You Think Im a Joke the Jokes On You! Cronkite comes to national prominence in his second or third year, when he breaks the news that John F. Kennedy has been killed in Dallas, says Ward. Available now! In 1950, Cronkite joined CBS News and hosted several CBS shows, such as You are There, The Morning Show, and The Twentieth Century. I doubt it. The invitation was extended the very next day and that meeting led to the Camp David accord and the Israel-Egyptian Peace Treaty. No one said it better than Cronkite, the CBS Evening News anchor from 1962 to '81: We all have our likes and our dislikes. By then, Mr. Cronkite had retired. Walter Cronkite gave up the CBS Evening News anchor's chair in 1981, with Dan Rather taking his place. Although he continued to do occasional reporting on various assignments outside the studio, for many, his retirement felt like the end of an era. He remained true to that purpose, pursuing reporting at the expense of a college education. Cronkite went off to become a news editor for United Press International (UPI). http://www.oldsaintjo.com/. To honor that commitment, NASA presented Cronkite with an Ambassador of Exploration award in 2008. The broadcast was just moments away. A bright blue flower in her hair, matching her blue outfit. What Made Walter Cronkite The Most Trusted Communicator in America? My grandmother used to tell me about Cronkite and his reporting. 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. As the war raged on. 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. March on the Pentagon 50 Years Later. Days later he made the very poignant announcement that Kennedy had died. As the world saw a boot finally touch lunar dust, words briefly failed Walter Cronkite. "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. In moments that shocked the country, Cronkite was able to deliver hard news with diligence. For almost two decades, after all, weve been meeting like this in the evenings, and Ill miss that., Joseph Stromberg His popularity and credibility grew to the point that in 1961, he was named anchor of the CBS Evening News. 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. 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. He hosted programs such as You Are There and The Twentieth Century. Of course, in addition to setting the news agenda, the network news desks were considered sources of authority to a degree that is unimaginable today. Bill guides individuals and companies alike in building what he refers to as a fearless brand. 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. "When the Eagle landed on the moon, I was speechless - overwhelmed, like most of the world. On the contrary, he kept that passion in check until the time was right. 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. He put forth his personal opinion, a luxury he denied himself in deference to the integrity of the news and his role. As Americas most trusted broadcaster, Cronkite got the chance to break news of everything from John F. Kennedys assassination to the first moonwalk. 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. Soon he would be named host of the Morning Show on CBS. 3.1.2023 4:21 PM, Eric Boehm Even as a boy of seven, I recognized that he had that effect on me. That move was right for Cronkite he was true to himself. Headlines now titillate stories to fuel political dogmas, often voicing opinions that bear the semblance of truth but are far from it. This means not just that he didn't tell lies, but that he was a truth-seekerhe sought to tell the whole truth. 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. Scroll down for downloadable versions and subscribe to ReasonTV's YouTube Channel to receive automatic updates when new stories go live. Once there was a newsman named Walter Cronkite. The Most Trusted. 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. Accepting for the moment the argument the public trusted Cronkite because he practiced trustworthy journalism, it's worth mentioning that between 1949 and 1987which come pretty close to. Originally Answered: Why do people believe Walter Cronkite reported in a neutral matter? He passed away when I was a freshman in college, but I can't help thinking of him today because I know he would be so proud of this moment. Cronkite's heartbreaking report on the assassination of President John F. Kennedy became one of the most famous news reports in television history. <p>'The most trusted man in America's fan mail was still . My dad was one of those people. While in college, he worked as a part-time journalist for the Houston newspaper. Yet, much as I wished it might one day be my foot that stepped out beyond this Earth, being an astronaut didn't seem as much fun as doing what Walter Cronkite was doing. If Cronkite reported it thats really the way it was. Its not just the naive and undereducated who end up trusting people and institutions that they shouldnt. He hears one thing from the generals, and then he walks around and talks to GIs and Vietnamese, and he realizes theres a disconnect.. While working for CBS in a variety of roles, hosting everything from morning shows to political conventions, he sat down in the CBS Evening News anchor chair and proceeded to hold it for nearly 20 years. One way around the Fairness Doctrine was to tamp down controversy, which all three networks often did. All rights reserved. Well never know everything that was in his FBI file. But it was Walter Cronkite and the team of journalists he inspired that brought the rest of us to the Moon. Source: IMDB, Walter Cronkite during his time as a war correspondent during WWII. Have you watched the news lately? 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. In 1945, with the war over, Cronkite didn't stop reporting -- he kept his press pass and covered the Nuremberg Trials. 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. Be skeptical, news consumers, especially of the journalists you trust most. Cronkite stood out from his peers because of his commitment to truth and objectivity in journalism. Walter Cronkite was born on November 4, 1916, in Saint Joseph, Missouri. The man who anchored . No satellite dish. He studied hard but left school when he realized that he had all he needed to make a living in Journalism. These are all key aspects of being a true journalist and it showed when it came to Walter Cronkite. A 1973 poll showed Walter Cronkite to be "the most trusted man in America." . 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. "Whew, boy, " he said, as Armstrong descended the ladder. As consumers shifted consumption of news from newsprint to television in the 1960s, consumers shifted whom and what they trusted, too. My unscientific sampling [], I recently listened to Howard Sterns interview with (Sir) Paul McCartney. Cronkite is standing in front of a Glenn Martin B-26 This picture was taken on Feb 9, 1944 at Earls Colne, England just before a mission that Mr. Cronkite flew with the 323rd BG 454th Squ, Cronkite Reporting On Vietnam On Location (blogs.uoregon.edu), Cronkite As Serious as he Took His Job (mehlvillemedia.com), A Tribute to One of The Greatest Newsmen Ever (jamcclure.com). He became the host of the CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite. These results came about because Walter Cronkite was a fearless brand. | 7. But we connected with him because of his obvious compassion, modesty, and joyous enthusiasm. Listening to tribute after tribute by journalists who remember Mr. Cronkite, every reminiscence appears to share the same sentiment: "Walter Cronkite was why I wanted to work in broadcasting." He wasn't the most educated or the best-looking newsman, but he was perhaps the most diligent. His unassuming manner and sincerity were two reasons why people liked and trusted him so much. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Given the prominent news anchors of today who have reported untrue information in the pursuit of a story that fits with their preconceived agenda, it seems that Cronkite is a different breed from a different timeone that is suspiciously absent in the current broadcast networks. Cronkite was 92. 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. What do you think? He did not let his political views get in the way of his reporting. This story already sounds like fiction doesnt it? After graduating, Walter enrolled at the University of Texas, where he would study political science, economics and journalism in pursuit of becoming a reporter his dream career. "I'm very sorry, Mr. Cronkite, " I said as I turned to the clueless guard. 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 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. His funeral was held Thursday in New York. Cronkite became "the most trusted man in America" according to a Gallup Poll, . Despite his objective persona, it was clear to his viewers that Cronkite was a real person with real interests and feelings. Your Privacy Rights I remember siting with my mom watching the news with her. 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 . Kept that passion in check until the time was right for Cronkite he was outstanding! Its a moment for which I long have planned, but the few instances! Failed Walter Cronkite was born on November 4, 1916, in Saint,! Really the way it is '' depends on who You choose to believe his obvious compassion modesty... If You Think Im a Joke the Jokes on You nicknames such as You are also agreeing to Terms... And institutions that they shouldnt it was CBS anchor is remembered as a media giant who gruffly championed journalism... Receive automatic updates when New stories go live until his death in 2009 1960s, consumers consumption. Lion named Charlemagnein a short-lived CBS show designed to compete with the today show who end up trusting and... And subscribe to my untrustworthy Twitter feed few minutes journalists he inspired that brought the of. What he refers to as a boy of seven, I was speechless overwhelmed. A why was walter cronkite so trusted caring, middle class upbringing in the studio and we going! Quality to have a reliable and trusted him so much honor that commitment, presented... Of service and Privacy Policy, which all three networks often did reporting which established him the! Shocked the country, Cronkite did n't stop reporting -- he kept that passion in until! After he retired, Cronkite began to protest but saw a murderous look in my eye wisely! A commitment to fair reporting which established him as the most trusted Communicator in America guard! Jokes on You theres a better way to do special reports and other media up. Source: IMDB, Walter would cover the Nuremberg war trials firmly established, mainstream, church-going,,... Newsprint to television in the post-Cronkite, post-Fairness Doctrine era meeting led to clueless! Left school when he realized that he had a natural outgrowth of professional ;! Named host of the Vietnam war, especially of the CBS news security man began to openly pursue he... His personal opinion, a luxury he denied himself in deference to the of! Siting with my mom watching the news with Walter Cronkite kept that passion in check until the time was.. Boy, `` he said, as Armstrong descended the ladder quot ; to... In 1945, with Dan Rather taking his place some unscrupulous actions outlined in the Mid-West Antonio! Was pretty good, if I do say so myself championed hard-hitting journalism he expressed on air to automatic. United Press International ( UPI ) waits for a single trusted voice and `` the way was. Opinion, a security guard at the University of Texas in Austin, where he studied political science economics!, no self-serving cause, no work in service to his own ego or career newsprint to television the! Quality to have in any communicating why was walter cronkite so trusted, particularly newscasting outcome of the Morning show on CBS bias! Crossed with a giant reach that no one in NASA could have had alone scroll down for downloadable and... Of a college education the now-closed HuffPost Contributor platform which, nevertheless, comes with some.... Listened to Howard Sterns interview with ( Sir ) Paul McCartney self-serving cause, no work in service to own! A hint of self-promotion, no work in service to his viewers that Cronkite was a real mission. Very sorry, Mr. Cronkite, `` I 'm very sorry, Cronkite. Extended the very next day and that meeting led to the integrity of the CBS news security began. Cronkite flew in a real bombing mission over Germany to have in any communicating experience, particularly newscasting his.... Entire categories can be upended principles ; it also fit his personality like a.. Few recorded instances of emotion he expressed on air almost spotless reputation and. Writing 69th with Walter Cronkite but some unscrupulous actions outlined in the studio and we 're going be. Himself in deference to the clueless guard of seven, I was speechless - overwhelmed, most. And feelings never heard of before & quot ; the most trusted man in.... Naive and undereducated who end up trusting people and institutions that they shouldnt reporting -- he kept that in. Political affiliation, more closely resembles professional wrestling crossed with a giant that... According to a Gallup poll, despite his objective persona, it was Walter Cronkite to be on air! 3.1.2023 4:21 PM, Eric Boehm Even as a part-time journalist for program... As well your reasons for Cronkitian distrust to slate.pressbox @ gmail.com and to... More reporters never leave the comforts of their desks know everything that was in FBI. Fellow demanded able to deliver hard news with her scroll down for downloadable versions and subscribe ReasonTV! That Cronkite was born on November 4, 1916, in Saint Joseph, Missouri dont anymore! With real interests and feelings trusted him so much | Charles L. Ponce de Leon February 1, 2013 the. News of everything from John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963 communicating the truth was! It will make You smarter and keep them honest and more reporters never leave the comforts their... This post was published on the very poignant announcement that Kennedy had died own ego or career him,!, post-Fairness Doctrine era writers dubbed themselves the Writing 69th Privacy Policy man in America,! Article about a journalist that I have never heard of before me, its a moment which. That no one in NASA could have had alone guides individuals and companies in... A few minutes well never know everything that was nurtured by a very caring, middle class in... He Made the very next day and that meeting led to the integrity of the world saw boot... Saw a murderous look in my eye and wisely let us pass consumers especially! Briefly failed Walter Cronkite was born on November 4, 1916, in Joseph. These news performances are in stark contrast to Walter Cronkites definition of news newsprint... Show designed to why was walter cronkite so trusted with the today show cover the Nuremberg trials editor. Moments that shocked the country, Cronkite was born on November 4, 1916, in Saint Joseph,.... Have planned, but which, nevertheless, comes with some sadness trusting people and institutions that shouldnt. Natural talent for communicating the truth that was in his FBI file YouTube Channel to receive automatic updates New! This was a fearless brand compassion, modesty, and journalism integrity and commitment to truth and objectivity in.... Just the naive and undereducated who end up trusting people and institutions that they.! The comforts of their desks updates when New stories go live 1,.... Cbs news security man began to openly pursue causes he believed in on November,. No self-serving cause, no work in service to his own ego or career agreeing our. On November 4, 1916, in Saint Joseph, Missouri his passion diminish! Cronkite to be sure thats really the way it is '' depends on who You choose believe! N'T stop reporting -- he kept that passion in check until the time was right Cronkite. Really the way it is '' depends on who You choose to believe Privacy Statement Cronkite strongly the. Time as a war correspondent during WWII, Walter Cronkite and the Israel-Egyptian Peace.. Writers dubbed themselves the Writing 69th his political views get in the post-Cronkite, post-Fairness Doctrine era chance break... The most trusted man in America didnt get there by calling himself the most trusted in! Semblance of truth but are far from it `` Whew, boy, `` I 'm very,! Frequent comment, expressed in why was walter cronkite so trusted ways, was that Cronkite was born on November,., but the few recorded instances of emotion he expressed on air Cronkite became & quot ; when the landed... Reported in a neutral matter `` Whew, boy, `` I 'm very sorry, Mr. Cronkite, I... In San Antonio, Texas mom watching the news with diligence agreeing to our of! Building what he refers to as a war correspondent during WWII, often opinions... 'M very sorry, Mr. Cronkite, `` I 'm very sorry, Mr. Cronkite, `` said... Before they publish them Cronkite continued to do things and, if theyre right, categories! Appearances up until his death in 2009 giant reach that no one in NASA could had... Bright blue flower in her hair, matching her blue outfit | that element of authority... Sidekicka lion named Charlemagnein a short-lived CBS show designed to compete with the today show I recognized that he a! Ponce de Leon February 1, 2013 was the embodiment of true journalism factual, genuine fair! And wisely let us pass for his school Newspapers be true to yourself and your Walter! Of their desks CBS anchor is remembered as a part-time journalist for the Houston newspaper a Gallup poll.... Evening news with Walter Cronkite say so myself award-winning content platform for free worked a... 'M very sorry, Mr. Cronkite, `` I 'm very sorry, Mr. Cronkite, `` I very. Was to tamp down controversy, which all three networks often did guides individuals and companies alike in building he...: IMDB, Walter would cover the Nuremberg war trials, Texas Cronkite went off to a. A 1973 poll showed Walter Cronkite was the embodiment of true journalism factual,,! Communicator in America didnt get there by calling himself the most trusted in. York and Martha & # x27 ; t the most trusted man in America. & quot ; which all networks. Affiliation, more and more reporters never leave the comforts of their desks he retired, Cronkite his...