Walter Cronkite Interview

By: Ryan Leib

Walter Cronkite was a CBS evening news anchorman from 1962-1981. He has created great importance in the Broadcast Communication world. He has inspired many people over the years; he was to be voted the “Most trusted figure” in American public life. Over the years Cronkite has been scrutinized by Politicians, intellectuals, and fellow journalists. Walter Cronkite had joined CBS in 1950. His first job was at CBS’s Washington affiliate and then he joined the national network. In April 1962, Cronkite took over the anchormans position from Douglas Edwards on the CBS Evening News. Cronkite later was first on the air reporting the Kennedy Assassination. Cronkite also covered huge stories such as the Vietnam War. His stories were rather controversial when he covered the Vietnam War. Many criticized Cronkite for not taking more risk in his news stories. He was also criticized because of his preference for short “breaking stories.” Some people referred to his time in the spotlight as “the magic.” In 1981, in accord with CBS, Cronkite retired. In 1993 he signed a contract with the Discovery and Learning channel to do thirty-six documentaries in three years. He later became the norm in television news. Cronkite later died in New York on July 17, 2009. He was 92 years old.


R.L.: Hello Mr. Cronkite it is a pleasure to have you here today, how are you?

W.C.: I’m fine thank you its great to be here

R.L.: What was it like to be such an icon to the American people and future journalists?

W.C.: It feels great to inspire people to be journalists for decades to come.

R.L.: Do you feel that your stories had an impact on America as a whole?

W.C.: Yes I do because the American people wanted news and I gave them something to talk about.

R.L.: Do you feel that some of your news stories were controversial?

W.C.: Yes I do but I covered the tough stories which other journalists did not want to cover.

R.L.: What was it like to cover the Vietnam War?


W.C.: It was a great experience that most people would not get to do or would not want to do.

R.L.: How successful do you think your career was as a whole?

W.C.: I think it was very successful I think all the criticism made me stronger as a journalist.

R.L.: How did your family help you throughout your career?

W.C.: My wife helped me stay confident and be the best journalist I could be.

R.L.: Thank you for being here it has been a pleasure