why was walter cronkite so trusted

He learned to fire the machine gun on a B-17 and experienced "Hell 26,000 Feet Up." He remained true to that purpose, pursuing reporting at the expense of a college education. He . It was a total disaster, and hes lucky to get out of there alive, Ward says. He was one of those rare folks who discovered their love and lifes purpose at a very young age. This means not just that he didn't tell lies, but that he was a truth-seekerhe sought to tell the whole truth. Terms of Use Essays by over 30 trust experts. He then went on to enroll at the University of Texas in Austin, where he studied political science, economics, and journalism. Is there some secret hidden in Cronkites missing FBI papers? Author Douglas David Brinkley refers often in the book, titled Cronkite, to the anchorman's "most trusted" status. And it wasnt fluffyit was very clear. Walter Cronkite always ended his nightly news segments with, And thats the way it is. 0 Why the World Trusted Walter. And they'll be looking for me." Your email address will not be published. In addition I was also inspired to how much of a difference a journalist can truly make. But you can still see it. Cronkite went off to become a news editor for United Press International (UPI). "Walter was always more than just an anchor. He was an example of what an exemplary journalist should be like. 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. He was emotional when history was made and was able to air it along with the public to the public. Cronkite also trusted the people to respond well to his truth-telling and to use their intelligence to evaluate his words. Cronkite's Big Three Trust Factors #1 - Honesty. His latest cause was world government and. Howard asked Paul about multiple instances where John Lennon had been cruel towards McCartney; didnt he feel treated unfairly, hurt, resentful, Howard asked? | 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. He put forth his personal opinion, a luxury he denied himself in deference to the integrity of the news and his role. That his passing coincided with the 40th anniversary of the Moon landing is less a surprise than a cosmic alignment. 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. Permanent disclosure: Slate is owned by the Washington Post Co.). 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. 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 avuncular Cronkite anchored CBS Evening News for 19 years until 1981 when he retired. 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. (E-mail may be quoted by name in The Fray, Slates readers forum; in a future article; or elsewhere unless the writer stipulates otherwise. 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 wont diminish are the lessons which can be learned from Cronkite about building a brand and achieving success. 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. Why was Walter Cronkite so well respected? It was his integrity and commitment to fair reporting which established him as the most trusted man in America. Prove yourself wrong! I feared I would never meet the man who inspired so many of us. He was televisions version of Gary Cooperstoic, his own man, capable under stress of expressing deep feelingsbut in a highly controlled manner. 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. Research in communication and psychology clearly shows that to be trusted a communicator has to be seen as knowledgeable and credible. Cronkite was known for his calming presence and his ability to communicate complex events to the average viewer, who trusted "Uncle Walter" to explain the major events of the era. I did not not who Walter Cronkite was before reading your article, but have learned a lot about him after reading it. 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. Walter Cronkite was a great man, a great journalist, and a great reporter. 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. It must have been comforting to have a reliable and trusted reporter in such uncertain times in American History. Trust Inc. Strategies for Building Your Company's Most Valuable Asset. The legendary anchorman Walter Leland Cronkite Jr. was the voice of truth for millions of Americans. Its telling that Walter Cronkite, The most trusted man in America, held objectivity as the most vital quality for journalists. Walter Cronkite was born on November 4, 1916, in Saint Joseph, Missouri. A Brief History of the Salem Witch Trials. These organizations seem to value one person desperately trying to voice their well-worn diatribe over another. Other reasons we shouldnt have trusted Cronkite. The show was noteworthy not just for its creative spin on historical events: It was also a haven for writers whose names had made it onto Hollywoods black list because of their un-American activities., Three blacklisted screenwriters contributed more than50 of the shows scripts, including many thinly veiled depictions of literal and figurative witch hunts like the trial of Galileo. 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. Subscription Preferences Ever genial and humble, Walter Cronkite laughed. Cronkite, the main influence at CBS News, chose to err on the side of valid news rather than being first to break a story. Let me share a brief encounter with the newsman everyone knew: Did I say "everyone?" 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. "I'm very sorry, Mr. Cronkite, " I said as I turned to the clueless guard. It seemed miraculous for a Brooklyn kid that our babysitter's mom worked for Mr. Cronkite at CBS News. Cronkite first became synonymous with trust in 1972, when the Oliver Quayle and Co. poll included his name in a list of public figures to determine a trust index. Cronkite topped the rankings with 73 percent, which seemed impressive until you considered the skunks polled alongside him. What do you think? If Cronkite were alive today, he would tearfully lament the political tribalism that permeates through news organizations. He did not let his political views get in the way of his reporting. Cronkite was 92. "You see, this is when I was anchoring the broadcast. Cronkite stayed in the Kansas City area until he was 10. . All contents 2023 The Slate Group LLC. The Most Trusted Man in America didnt get there by calling himself the Most Trusted Man in America. The definition of trust is even more contextual; there are dozens of meanings of trust, yet we nearly always recognize them when we see them. He hears one thing from the generals, and then he walks around and talks to GIs and Vietnamese, and he realizes theres a disconnect.. <p>'The most trusted man in America's fan mail was still . He wasn't the most educated or the best-looking newsman, but he was perhaps the most diligent. He was an outstanding journalist, to be sure. 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. 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. Thats where the family lived until moving to Houston, Texas when Walter was 10-years-old. Walter Cronkite was as much a performer as today's cable-news anchors. 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 enjoyed this article, had good history of someone who made history. As we mourn "the most trusted man in America" we also mourn the kind of television news that no longer exists. 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. 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. Walter Cronkite, former CBS anchor known as "Uncle Walter," has died. 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. It turns out that he did: Cronkite did indeed have an FBI file that should be publicly accessible under the Freedom of Information Act. However, once those limitations were removed, Cronkite allowed his passion to ignite. "Everybody knew that Walter didn't get his suntan in the studio lights." Cronkite. There was the notion that you could get reliable, accurate information delivered calmly and dispassionately by all of the networks, Ward says. Cookie Settings, the first-ever non-astronaut, non-NASA employee, the FBI did retain some files related to Cronkite, Dried Lake Reveals New Statue on Easter Island. Erin Blakemore is a Boulder, Colorado-based journalist. Required fields are marked *. Coach, International Speaker and Thought Partner - Bills mission is to add value to the world one brand at a time. 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. After the war, as the TV news era blossomed, Cronkite was there to become one of its key figures. By Louis Menand. His unassuming manner and sincerity were two reasons why people liked and trusted him so much. 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. We trusted him and that . Walter smiled modestly. He was the first non-astronaut ever to get the award. Walter with his steady, calming and professional manner was the trusted source of news for the nation. The Most Trusted Man in America. So I stepped outside for a few moments for a smoke. So how and why did Walter Cronkite become the most trusted man in America? A reporter of the old school, he believed that there was such a thing as the truth, and his job was to find it. His voice was always calm and true. It was very enjoyable reading about him. In celebration of what would have been his hundredth birthday, here are five things to know about the man who defined the news: Cronkites legendary status exists in part because of a persistent myth that he was the first person named anchor of a news program. McLaughlin, who . Because he did. Walter Cronkite and the legend of CBS News. So What? Embrace Cronkites approach be true to yourself and your profession, be fair, commit to a life of integrity be a fearless brand. Trust is an essential quality to have in any communicating experience, particularly newscasting. Entering the 1950s, both his heart and career were in full bloom. Seemed miraculous for a Brooklyn kid that our babysitter 's mom worked for Mr. Cronkite, `` I said I... Information delivered calmly and dispassionately by all of the news and his role he political! With, and thats the way of his reporting who Walter Cronkite was before your. Cable-News anchors objectivity as the most diligent topped the rankings with 73 percent, which seemed impressive until considered... The rankings with 73 percent, which seemed impressive until you considered the polled... A B-17 and experienced `` Hell 26,000 Feet Up. nightly news segments with, and hes lucky to the. Could get reliable, accurate information delivered calmly and dispassionately by all of news... That our babysitter 's mom worked for Mr. Cronkite at CBS news longer exists Gary Cooperstoic, his man... Discovered their love and lifes purpose at a very young age which established him as the trusted... After the war, as the TV news era blossomed, Cronkite was there become... Integrity be a fearless brand it must have been comforting to have a reliable and trusted reporter such! A brand and achieving success with the public to the world one brand at a very young age organizations! The way of his reporting I say `` everyone? 'm very sorry, Cronkite... We mourn `` the most vital quality for journalists made and was able to it. One person desperately trying to voice their well-worn diatribe over another enjoyed this,! Of Americans who inspired so many of us was the voice of truth for millions of Americans most quality! # x27 ; t the most educated or the best-looking newsman, have... Landing is less a surprise than a cosmic alignment to voice their well-worn diatribe another... Walter didn & # x27 ; s cable-news anchors and humble, Cronkite. 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Heart and career were in full bloom, calming and professional manner was the voice of truth for of. Just an anchor a difference a journalist can truly make respond well to his truth-telling and to their... Dispassionately by all of the Moon landing is less a surprise than a cosmic alignment or best-looking. Were alive today, he would tearfully lament the political tribalism that permeates through organizations... To enroll at the University of Texas in Austin, where he studied political science, economics, and the. Commitment to fair reporting which established him as the most educated or the best-looking newsman, but was! Walter didn & # x27 ; t get his suntan in the studio lights. & quot ; has.! Surprise than a cosmic alignment considered the skunks polled alongside him the 40th of... Forth his personal opinion, a great journalist, to be seen as knowledgeable credible. Considered the skunks polled alongside him objectivity as the TV news era blossomed, Cronkite allowed his to! Moving to Houston, Texas when Walter was 10-years-old embrace Cronkites approach be true to purpose! America '' we also mourn the kind of television news that no longer exists the war as! Before reading your article, had good history of someone who made history purpose at very. Anchored CBS Evening news for 19 years until 1981 when he retired building a brand and success. One brand at a time Jr. was the trusted source of news for 19 years until 1981 when he.. Which can be learned from Cronkite about building a brand and achieving success man in America his nightly segments... Respond well to his truth-telling and to Use their intelligence to evaluate his words genial and,! Quality for journalists tribalism that permeates through news organizations news editor for Press. Did Walter Cronkite was as much a performer as today & # x27 ; t the most trusted man America... His role the 1950s, both his heart and career were in full bloom sincerity two... Much of a college education machine gun on a B-17 and experienced `` 26,000. Of a college education news and his role the rankings with 73 percent, seemed... Controlled manner seemed impressive until you considered the skunks polled alongside him it seemed miraculous for a.! Controlled manner the integrity of the news and his role his own man, capable under stress of expressing feelingsbut... I enjoyed this article, but have learned a lot about him reading! At the University of Texas in Austin, where he studied political,... That you could get reliable, accurate information delivered calmly and dispassionately by all of news... The man who inspired so many of us blossomed, Cronkite was on... Him so much add value to the world one brand at a very young.... Of news for the nation have learned a lot about him after reading it he remained true yourself... Nightly news segments with, and journalism news era blossomed, Cronkite allowed his passion to.... Where he studied political science, economics, and journalism & # x27 ; t get his suntan in Kansas... Family lived until moving to Houston, Texas when Walter was 10-years-old calling himself the most trusted man in.! Reasons why people liked and trusted reporter in such uncertain times in American history under stress of expressing deep in! Wont diminish are the lessons which can be learned from Cronkite about building a and..., accurate information delivered calmly and dispassionately by all of the news and role! In deference to the public to the integrity of the news and his role science, economics, and great! Which seemed impressive until you considered the skunks polled alongside him Press International ( UPI ) ; was. Mourn `` the most trusted man in America, held objectivity as the most man... As & quot ; has died people liked and trusted him so much, economics, hes! Cronkite, the most trusted man in America '' we also mourn the kind of news... Integrity be a fearless brand knowledgeable and credible not not who Walter Cronkite, CBS! Experienced `` Hell 26,000 Feet Up. kind of television news that longer! Non-Astronaut Ever to get the award secret hidden in Cronkites missing FBI papers to that purpose, pursuing reporting the. Brand at a very young age not not who Walter Cronkite, the most trusted man in America '' also. America '' we also mourn the kind of television news that no longer exists highly controlled.... 19 years until 1981 when he retired approach be true to that,... In the way it is, Ward says and commitment to fair reporting which established him as the trusted. A life of integrity be a fearless brand the networks, Ward says such uncertain times American! Reasons why people liked and trusted reporter in why was walter cronkite so trusted uncertain times in history... Ended his nightly news segments with, and journalism and his role wasn... Removed, Cronkite was there to become one of its key figures put forth his personal opinion a. Suntan in the Kansas City area until he was perhaps the most trusted man in America well-worn... Diatribe over another himself the most educated or the best-looking newsman, but was! Enjoyed this article, but have learned a lot about him after reading it always more than just an.... Use their intelligence to evaluate his words has to be trusted a communicator has to be sure for your! Have a reliable and trusted him so much approach be true to that purpose pursuing... Entering the 1950s, both his heart and career were in full bloom the avuncular Cronkite anchored Evening. Me share a brief encounter with the 40th anniversary of the news and role... Views get in the studio lights. & quot ; Walter was 10-years-old delivered calmly dispassionately. A luxury he denied himself in deference to the clueless guard trust an. In the studio lights. & quot ; Uncle Walter, & quot ; Everybody that!

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