It was his integrity and commitment to fair reporting which established him as the most trusted man in America. 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. After all, true journalists worked in print and radio. I'm glad I was soon proved wrong. Cronkite's death spurs flood of words, memories. 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. Days later he made the very poignant announcement that Kennedy had died. It was a different time. His unassuming manner and sincerity were two reasons why people liked and trusted him so much. In 1968, he goes to Vietnam and does a documentary, Ward says. As a newsman, his passion was limited to his role of reporter. People determine theres a better way to do things and, if theyre right, entire categories can be upended. Heading back, I'm stopped by another security guard a fellow I never saw before. In order to tell you the full story of how he became the most trusted man in America, Ill have to go to the beginning. Write Me to receive FREE electronic versions of the worksheets from the Trusted Advisor Fieldbook. As the world saw a boot finally touch lunar dust, words briefly failed Walter Cronkite. He consoled Americans when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963. But as USA Today reports, the FBI destroyed part of Cronkites file instead of preserving it. No satellite dish. All rights reserved. He never allowed his broader passion to diminish and die. "(King's) approach to covering important events and interviewing politicians, leaders . It will make you smarter and keep them honest. After the war, Walter would cover the Nuremberg war trials. Contributors control their own work and posted freely to our site. #2 Selflessness. 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. By the time Cronkite was named anchor of CBS News Up to the Minute, he was already a seasoned news pro. He says CBS then used the survey results to promote the network. "He goes to Vietnam. Nice job! 3.1.2023 2:50 PM, 2022 Reason Foundation | To do anything else would be phony. He accepted the second offer, however, and began working as the host of a show called You Are There. His voice was always calm and true. Of the spacewalk, he said, nothing compares with thisnot his experiences covering World War II or the various heads of state around the world. The sophisticated and the well-schooled are vulnerable, too. My grandmother used to tell me about Cronkite and his reporting. Cronkite was committed to delivering accurate news, refusing to report stories until they were validated and vetted. I doubt it. He never allowed his broader passion to diminish and die. News no longer waits for a single trusted voice and "the way it is" depends on who you choose to believe. Cronkite went off to become a news editor for United Press International (UPI). I finally stopped trying. Cronkite was 92. Walter Leland Cronkite Jr. was born Nov. 4, 1916, in . He remained true to that purpose, pursuing reporting at the expense of a college education. #3 Integrity. He was 92 and had homes in New York and Martha's Vineyard, Mass. According to polls, he was the most trusted man in Americamore than the first lady, the Pope or the president.. Source: IMDB, Cronkite on the Cbs Evening News. In the generation since he left the anchor desk at the CBS Evening News, there have been other public figures who inspire passion, devotion, confidence, intensity and . 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. Privacy Statement Covering yet another war, this time Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, Mr. Cronkite kindly agreed to help our coverage with an interview. What wont diminish are the lessons which can be learned from Cronkite about building a brand and achieving success. He studied hard but left school when he realized that he had all he needed to make a living in Journalism. Walter Cronkite. He was a true ambassador for the program with a giant reach that no one in NASA could have had alone. <p>'The most trusted man in America's fan mail was still . Your email address will not be published. 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. A few minutes before air, I really needed a cigarette. In the world of news, no matter who you voted for, the most glaringly absent quality is objectivity. As Bob Schieffer said on a "Face the Nation" program honoring Cronkite, it's why Americans trusted him. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. The CBS News security man began to protest but saw a murderous look in my eye and wisely let us pass. "President Lyndon Johnson certainly felt it. He was true not only to himself but to his profession as well. He wasn't the most educated or the best-looking newsman, but he was perhaps the most diligent. Its the fact that hes a firmly established, mainstream, church-going, centrist, respectable person that matters.. Slate is published by The Slate Group, a Graham Holdings Company. He covered the 1952 presidential elections, and he helped introduce The Beatles to the United States. This means not just that he didn't tell lies, but that he was a truth-seekerhe sought to tell the whole truth. He was an example of what an exemplary journalist should be like. To honor that commitment, NASA presented Cronkite with an Ambassador of Exploration award in 2008. Charles L. Ponce de Leon February 1, 2013. 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. Mrs. Cronkite looked at me and giggled or blushed or maybe neither. Cronkite stayed in the Kansas City area until he was 10. . Known as the "most trusted man in America," Cronkite made his mark on . First listed . This story is about the most trusted man in America. 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? "Walter Cronkite came into the living room reporting the news, and people trusted that he was giving them the truth," she said. LBJ, a great judge of politics, said, "If Ive lost Cronkite, Ive lost middle America." 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. For years I tried to improve on it, and never could. I remember siting with my mom watching the news with her. 'Most trusted'? As a newsman, his passion was limited to his role of reporter. He inspired John Waters to grow a moustache (I think!). 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. He dedicated his life to reporting all types of events occurring across the globe. Campbell says the 1972 survey that gave Cronkite the title of "Most Trusted Man" compared Cronkite with prominent politicians of the time, not newscasters, and so he "inevitably came out on top." As Lulu Guadalupe said, he truly laid out the foundation of what great newscasters should be like but alas, they are not. Source: IMDB, Walter Cronkite during his time as a war correspondent during WWII. Read More. Additionally, I enjoy partaking in various on-campus and non-profit organizations. The newscasting industry, though very chaotic, needs more today like him to keep the peace and calm through the times. The manner in which Walter delivered those stories genuine, caring, professional established him as a trusted news anchor. A community-based video production company focused on documenting the rich history of Old Saint Jo through the use of social media. Big blonde hair. 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. 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. Quite simply, people trusted what they used, not vice versa, Monck and Hanley write. It was a total disaster, and hes lucky to get out of there alive, Ward says. It was as if he enjoyed being reminded to remain humble, especially after all of the success and adulation he earned throughout his remarkable career. Speaking of papers, youd think that given Cronkites status as one of the worlds most respected and well-traveled public figures, hed draw special attention from the FBI. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. That move was right for Cronkite he was true to himself. He kept his opinions, like his emotions, largely to himself. Walter Cronkites legacy continues. I think he was so trusted because he exhibited a sense of purpose and compassion, night after night. Despite his objective persona, it was clear to his viewers that Cronkite was a real person with real interests and feelings. 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. "It was a way to tout Walter Cronkite as a source to go to for election coverage among the three networks," says Campbell. Cronkite refused to allow his personal beliefs to affect his job of reporting accurate news. In moments that shocked the country, Cronkite was able to deliver hard news with diligence. 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. These results came about because Walter Cronkite was a fearless brand. In 1962, Cronkite took on his most famous role as anchor of the CBS Evening News. The extra time allowed Walter to air a special feature an in-depth interview with then President John Kennedy. Though Rather never said so publicly, CBS News insiders said he did not approve of her appointment. Subscription Preferences 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. Walter Cronkite was named anchor of CBS news insiders said he did not approve of her appointment use social! Video production Company focused on documenting the rich history of Old Saint Jo through times... Martha & # x27 ; s Vineyard, Mass various on-campus and non-profit organizations sophisticated and the are... 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