OT: R.I.P. Walter Cronkite

rs170a wrote on 7/17/2009, 8:29 PM

I just read online that he passed away today at the age of 92.
Those of us that grew up with him knew that he was a highly respected and trustworthy news man.

"And that's the way it is."

Mike

Comments

Cliff Etzel wrote on 7/17/2009, 9:27 PM

The last of the true, great TV journalists is gone - all that's left is a bunch of talking head wannabe's vying for lamestream news ratings feeding pablum to the sheeple masses...

Cliff Etzel
Videographer : Producer : Web Designer
bluprojekt

rs170a wrote on 7/17/2009, 9:37 PM

Cliff, sadly I have to agree with you :-(
The article on him in my local paper had this to say:

He also spoke out (after retirement), increasingly critically, about the medium that made him so famous. Cronkite deplored the widespread gutting of network news budgets and the closing of foreign bureaus in the 1990s. He also lashed out at what he considered the dumbing-down of television news and the tendency toward “infotainment” over genuine journalism.

Mike

musicvid10 wrote on 7/17/2009, 9:59 PM

Man, this guy had the kind of intelligence most of us could only envy.
Literate, true to his word, and reflective, his professionalism and presence will be both missed and aspired to by his colleagues.

megabit wrote on 7/17/2009, 10:45 PM

I personally never saw or heard him here in Poland, but I know him from one of Bob Dylan's ballad...

RIP.

Grazie wrote on 7/17/2009, 10:48 PM

Sure, so move to the UK or get the News Feeds over the NET.

You don't have ANY quality news platforms? If that's the case then access the INTERNET. There was a reason why Tim Berners-Lee made its access without charge. So use it.

Oh yeah, you could always read a quality broadsheet.

If the passing of Walter has done anything it SHOULD make us aware that we CAN demand more and make use of what is presently available.

Mr Cronkite grew up in the era that spanned the post-modernist period. Can't speak for the States, but here in Europe and the UK we are knee deep in quality journos. Maybe it was Mr Cronkite's influence that nurtured these news-hounds?

Sure, mourn his passing, I'm all for that. However, now use his call-to-arms to exercise your right to pursue quality. There once was a time that all we had was steam radio and then a handful of TV channels. But now . . .

All the above is made with respect.

Grazie

megabit wrote on 7/18/2009, 2:54 AM

I'm too busy to watch feeds on the Internet, Grazie.
I've always watched CNN and BBC on my satellite TV, but never had access to CBS.

Sorry for off-topic, though.

farss wrote on 7/18/2009, 3:52 AM

Statement released by NASA a few hours ago:

[i]NEIL ARMSTRONG STATEMENT ON THE DEATH OF WALTER CRONKITE

The following is a statement issued by Apollo 11 Commander Neil Armstrong on the death of Walter Cronkite.

"For a news analyst and reporter of the happenings of the day to be successful, he or she needs three things: accuracy, timeliness, and the trust of the audience. Many are fortunate to have the first two.
The trust of the audience must be earned."

"Walter Cronkite seemed to enjoy the highest of ratings. He had a passion for human space exploration, an enthusiasm that was contagious, and the trust of his audience. He will be missed."

Bob.