One of journalism's most trustworthy figures has passed away.
Walter Cronkite, who was a longtime anchor of The CBS Evening News for nineteen years, died this evening at the age of 92. Cronkite was with CBS News for 31 years, when he was forced out in 1981 due to the network's mandatory retirement of anyone who reached the age of 65. He was replaced by Dan Rather.
Cronkite suffered from cerebrovascular disease and after his health become worse last month, his family issued a statement stating Cronkite "was not expected to recuperate."
Cronkite was a very influential individual of his day. He anchored through some of the most roughest times in our country's history, from the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr., President John Kennedy, and his brother Robert Kennedy to the Vietnam War and the Watergate Scandal.
Born in St. Joesph, Mo., Cronkite joined CBS News in 1950 as a correspondent. His profile grew throught the decade as host of You Are There (1953-57)and The 20th Century. In 1962, Cronkite was promoted as the anchor of the then-15 minute CBS Evening News. It expanded to thirty minutes in September 1963.
During his tenure, his news programs' presentation of the Vietnam War changed the way Americans viewed the conflict. He broke into regular programming to announce the assassination of John Kennedy and the first man to land on the moon. He became one of the most trusted journalists in the country.
Cronkite also inspired legions and legions of future journalists, including the Sun-Times' Robert Feder.
Even though Cronkite left CBS in 1981, he still remained active with the network through special reports and hosting the Kennedy Center Honors. Cronkite also keep busy with projects for Discovery Channel and NPR.
And that's the way it is.
1 comment:
Walter Cronkite really was the second most important man in my life.
Both he and my father gave me a passion for journalism. And Mr. Cronkite welcomed me in to teach at the school named after him.
We met soon after I was hired at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications at ASU.
He said he had heard about me joining the staff, and was excited that I would be able to share my knowledge with the students. He said just teach them well, and I have taken that to heart.
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