This isn't exactly news since he's been saying the same thing to anyone who'll listen for the past 20 years, but Walter Cronkite is a very upset man. You may have heard this before so I've taken the liberty of translating the former CBSer's remarks to keep it interesting:
Pressures by media companies to generate ever-greater profits are threatening the very freedom the nation was built upon, former CBS News anchor Walter Cronkite warned Thursday.
In a keynote address at Columbia University, Cronkite said today’s journalists face greater challenges than those from his generation. No longer could journalists count on their employers to provide the necessary resources, he said, “to expose truths that powerful politicians and special interests often did not want exposed.”
Translation: Journalists are no longer as able to spout leftist talking points and pass it off as news like they did in the days of Egbert "Edward" Murrow.
Instead, he said, “they face rounds and rounds of job cuts and cost cuts that require them to do ever more with ever less.”
“In this information age and the very complicated world in which we live today, the need for high-quality reporting is greater than ever,” he told journalism students and professionals at Columbia’s Graduate School of Journalism. “It’s not just the journalist’s job at risk here. It’s American democracy. It is freedom.”
Translation: Bush will kill us all. I am certain of this as my life is boring.
Cronkite said news accuracy has declined because of consolidations and closures that have left many American towns with only one newspaper. And as broadcasters cut budgets and air time for news, he said, “we’re all left with a sound bite culture that turns political campaigns into political theater.”
The former anchor urged owners of media companies — newspapers and broadcast alike — to recognize they have special civil responsibilities.
“Consolidation and cost cutting may be good for the bottom line in the short term but that isn’t necessarily good for the country or the health of the news business in the long term,” he said.
Translation: Media companies need to realize it's their civic duty to propagandize on behalf of world government liberalism.
—Matthew Sheffield is the creator of NewsBusters and its Executive Editor.
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Why doesn't he start with a
February 8, 2007 - 21:28 ET by Mean Gene Dr. LoveWhy doesn't he start with a crusade against those eyebrows (they look like their about ready to proclaim their sovereignty as independent nations) and that XX-wide Hitler mustache? After those battles are won, then he can complain about his Liberal weenie friends that are having imaginary hard times.
Maybe he can enlist Andy Rooney on that crusade too. Should keep 'em both busy for years.
Gun Safety Tip #8: No matter how responsible he seems, never give your gun to a monkey. (www.imao.us)
"I'm all news all the ti
February 8, 2007 - 21:29 ET by jdhawk"I'm all news all the time. Full power, tall tower. I want to break in when news breaks out. That's my agenda. Now respectively, when you start thalking about a liberal agenda and all the, quote, 'liberal bias' in the media, I quite frankly, and I say this respectively but candidly to you, I don't know what you're talking about."
- Dan Rather to Denver KOA Radio's Mike Rosen, 28 November 1995
The Federation!!
February 8, 2007 - 21:30 ET by exLib"To do that, of course, we Americans will have to yield up some of our sovereignty. That would be a bitter pill. It would take a lot of courage, a lot of faith in the new order."
I am not sure what "Faith" that would take. I am certain the Christian Faith would not be included since in Europe it's being squashed and I am sure it would offend the World Police.
Star Trek and "The Federation" here we come, or is it Eurasia, Eastasia, and Oceana?
BTW: IF they want to start doing a remake of the old Batman TV series Walter is a shoe in for Alfred.
Walter has finally lost it.
February 8, 2007 - 21:37 ET by acaiguanaWalter has finally lost it.
“In this information age and the very complicated world in which we live today, the need for high-quality reporting is greater than ever,” he told journalism students and professionals at Columbia’s Graduate School of Journalism. “It’s not just the journalist’s job at risk here. It’s American democracy. It is freedom.”
Yes, Walter, freedom from the opression of the MSM. Freedom to seek out really high-quality reporting that seems to be coming from Blogs rather (sorry about that pun there - Walt) than the MSM.
And, ya know what Walter? What's got you scared is the decline and fall of the 'bottom line' that you never understood in your entire lifetime of reporting.
Walter, you never did anything in a business sense in your life. You never made a payroll, you never were responsible for stockholder's equity, you never in your life did anything productive.
So, Walter, you poor old dottering man. Sit down, shut up and let the good times roll.
You are right.
It is freedom.
ACA
...
Hillary Clinton says: "I want to take those profits."
Walter's Trash
February 8, 2007 - 22:23 ET by pickerseniorI've been listening to this guy's trash since he has been reporting it. Reporting to Walter is trying to convince us that he is a diety responsible for the 4th arm of government as he was brainwashed to believe in Journalism school.
Like you said, he has no concept of business, free enterprise, and how the world works in the USA. Maybe I'll get lucky and outlive this man. As one gets older, the asses of this world that caused the problems pass on.
The only problem, is that there seems to be more asses to take their place.
Pickersenior
Picker - we live in interesting times.
February 8, 2007 - 22:28 ET by acaiguanaPicker - we live in interesting times.
I've never wished for the 'good old days.' Hell, I was glad to get off the ranch and go to the city.
I've seen a lot and I'm seeing more. Hope to outlive myself even.
ACA
...
Hillary Clinton says: "I want to take those profits."
All Walter and his descendant
February 8, 2007 - 23:19 ET by Scout FinchAll Walter and his descendants want to do is 'change the world'! Only it's getting so damn hard what with blogs and conservative websites. He longs for the old days when the MSM ruled all thought and their was no place else to go for another opinion.
Old Guys
February 8, 2007 - 21:51 ET by sharinliteOld newsguys are like yesterday papers, good for using it
in the birdcage, wrapping fish entrails or throwing it away. Walter needs
to remember he is old news...I know he misses being able to "tell" us
the news. And, the journalists do have it tougher nowadays. They can lie 24/7 and now can't get away with it like old walter.
Translation: Journalists are
February 8, 2007 - 22:13 ET by SvenTranslation: Journalists are no longer able to spout leftist talking points and pass it off as news like they did in the days of Egbert "Edward" Murrow.
Matthew, I couldn't have said it better myself!
Truth for Kronkite
February 8, 2007 - 22:23 ET by Carl KolchakHere's some good truth for Kronkite.
The Tet Offensive was a military disaster for the Viet Cong, as they were pretty much decimated. The Tet Offensive was not a miltiary defeat for the United States.
"Here's to the Wall that bears their names, here's to you my little loves with blessings from above now let the day begin"
"Wall Street Journal" interview
February 8, 2007 - 22:30 ET by Carl KolchakCheckout this interview to Bui Tin who served in the North Vietnamese Army and his answers.
Here is a quote from the below link in regards to his answer in regards to the Tet Offensive.
"Q: What about the results?
A: Our losses were staggering and a complete surprise;. Giap later told me that Tet had been a military defeat, though we had gained the planned political advantages when Johnson agreed to negotiate and did not run for re-election. The second and third waves in May and September were, in retrospect, mistakes. Our forces in the South were nearly wiped out by all the fighting in 1968. It took us until 1971 to re-establish our presence, but we had to use North Vietnamese troops as local guerrillas. If the American forces had not begun to withdraw under Nixon in 1969, they could have punished us severely. We suffered badly in 1969 and 1970 as it was."
http://www.grunt.com/scuttlebutt/corps-stories/vietnam/north.asp
"Here's to the Wall that bears their name, here's to you my little loves with blessings from above, now let the day begin." 'Let the Day Begin'
Lefties
February 8, 2007 - 22:48 ET by Jerry MackOld liberals never die, they just blather away!
Question for Cronkite
February 8, 2007 - 23:26 ET by Gary HallI have a very simple question for Walter Cronkite. Walter, how many American's know about this:
#017: 01-11-01 JAMES RIADY PLEADS GUILTY WILL PAY LARGEST FINE IN CAMPAIGN FINANCE HISTORY FOR VIOLATING FEDERAL ELECTION LAW
Now, Walter, we know that almost all Americans know about Abramoff and his pictures in the White House. The reason for that is simple -- the press has all the resources it needs to go after those that it wants to go after.
But several years back, when their resources were not yet in such jeopardy, as you now claim, the reason only 2 or 3 % of the American population ever found out about the scope of, and the convictions of Bill Clinton's buddies James Riady, John Huang, Charlie Trie, David Chang, Maria Hsia, Johnny Chung, Mark Jimenez, the Lum's and so many more was because your media friends are unethical and political biased. They are not short of funds.
All it takes is for a rumor to start about a MSM up and rising star like Obama, and whoosh, CNN has reporters on the ground in 24 hours fully equipped to investigate the story. How'd the media do in uncovering the CBS forged documents - the conspiracy led by Dan Rather - to effect a US Presidential election?
May I gander to say that the same applies to the fact that few US voters ever found out that Jimmy Carter and Nelson Mandela condemned Bill Clinton's illegal war (per the standards of the far left) in Kosovo, and surely today, in the hundreds of nationally televised and in-print discussions on the war in Iraq, not a single nationally recognized journalist will ever venture so far to make a comparative analysis. For God's sake, Bill Clinton's legacy is on the line.
good post Gary!America is bes
February 8, 2007 - 23:42 ET by USA4freedomgood post Gary!
America is best described by one word, freedom... Dwight D. Eisenhower
I see you like Conkrite as much as I, Gary. Good Work.
February 9, 2007 - 07:07 ET by acaiguanaI see you like Conkrite as much as I, Gary. Good Work.
ACA
...
Hillary Clinton says: "I want to take those profits."
"...the need for high-
February 8, 2007 - 23:30 ET by marvl"...the need for high-quality reporting is greater than ever,” he told journalism students and professionals at Columbia’s Graduate School of Journalism..."
Say, isn't the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism the same place where students were exposed for cheating on an "open book" test? I agree with the sentiment, but man, this fellow has wondered out into the weeds. Journalism has slowly turned into entertainment since the advent of the Television. It's now the Art of the Tabloid practiced by semi-educated boobs.
I love it we see stories of U
February 8, 2007 - 23:37 ET by USA4freedomI love it we see stories of Uncle Wally show up, it gives me a chance to tell of the close brush with this A$$ hole. I was sailing in the BVI about 8 years ago. There is a floating bar called the Willie T. Every one that sails down there goes. I was getting off of my dingy at the dock, when I saw an older man trying to get on his dingy. I walked over and helped him to get in (its not really that easy) as I did he looked like Cronkite, but as he said nothing including- thank you, I was not sure. I told my wife as we walked up to the bar who that guy looked like and before I could ask, the bartender told me it was him. Also… that he was a demanding jerk, and on top of it all he stiffed him… Well I made sure I made lots of noise when we sailed out, right next to his boat (just after sunrise).
America is best described by one word, freedom... Dwight D. Eisenhower
You mean umm... even Walter?
February 9, 2007 - 00:02 ET byYou mean umm... even Walter? even Walter is.... is one of.... them???
:(
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The reason America has all
February 9, 2007 - 04:36 ET by sarcasmoThe reason America has all the one-newspaper towns these days is big government, in the form of some "Newspaper Preservation Act" in the '70s which predictably helped big/consolidated newspapers at the expense of smaller ones. To solve the problem, we'd need what neither Cronkite nor any Republicans I'm aware-of will even consider: Actual-capitalism in the newspaper-business. I won't hold my breath...
JMR
Matthew, I’d say your trans
February 9, 2007 - 07:55 ET by Dave RMatthew, I’d say your translations are dead-on.
Ol’ Walter seems to be lamenting the fact that information now circulates freely without having first been massaged and filtered by the Old Media. Like his compatriots in what is left of the once-dominant MSM, we, the great un-washed, are much too ignorant and lacking in worldly sophistication to grasp the complexities of our time. This, to me, represents supreme arrogance in Walter’s thinking.
Hey Walter, you have now been retired for forever plus three years. Shouldn’t you be living out your days fishing and spending a little time beating the hell out of a little white ball?
Go away, Walter, and leave us ignorant, simplistic Americans alone. Who knows, we may even survive in this world without the enlightened guidance of the withering Old Media.
I hate newspapermen.....I regard them as spies.....If I killed them all there would be news from Hell before breakfast. -Gen. William T. Sherman
This dinosaur's image has mo
February 9, 2007 - 08:47 ET by GalvanicThis dinosaur's image has morphed from America's "most trusted voice" to doddering old whiner, and apparently without changing himself. The difference? CBS and the other MSM no longer have a monopoly on what we receive as news. Uncle Walter's job was so easy back then. His successors can no longer broadcast biased reporting unchallenged.
To paraphrase convict Martha Stewart: "And that's a good thing."
In retrospect, Cronkite's TV contemporary --- Bob "Captain Kangaroo" Keeshan -- had more integrity.
spot on Galvanic!I find it in
February 9, 2007 - 09:39 ET by USA4freedomspot on Galvanic!
I find it interesting how after their “time” is over. We never, never , never stop seeing them as though they are still important. Clinton, Jummy, Hanoi Jane, all the has- been Hollywood actors, Ed Asner, Harry Belafonte, Danny Glover, on and on…Please go away. I’m so very sick of you telling us just how dumb we are, while you adjust your high school diploma on the wall. Your time is over as well as the MSM lock down on info.
America is best described by one word, freedom... Dwight D. Eisenhower
I will tell you when this gre
February 9, 2007 - 09:47 ET by USA4freedomI will tell you when this great country was in trouble. Its when the information is held by a few “special” people to bend or twist as they see fit. Just ask Dan blather (your replacement), that lying POS. Just before the election…… a story that was completely false just to turn the election. So.. that’s the way it was…………….
America is best described by one word, freedom... Dwight D. Eisenhower
The NYT just annouced it has
February 9, 2007 - 10:03 ET by iveseenitallThe NYT just annouced it has only five years to live. YAHOO!
NEVER,NEVER trust a liberal
I trying to figure out what h
February 9, 2007 - 10:04 ET by Al CzervikI trying to figure out what he's asking for here. Is he advocating that the owners/shareholders take a loss to try and prop up this failing enterprise? Perhaps he should be demanding that those people in the MSM work for less money so that there is more to go around.
Why isn't he calling on the big 3 network anchors to take a drastic pay cut to fund additional staff. Wait, I know. The government should step in and take the personal profits of those high priced anchors for the benefit of the greater good.
Or...
Recognize that the newspaper industry is and always was a business. Right now it's a business that has ignored and insulted half of its potential customer base and is suffering dramatic circulation decline as a result. God forbid they exercise any self reflection to figure out why they are a declining medium instead of always looking outward for the cause of their failure.
“they face rounds and rou
February 9, 2007 - 10:30 ET by Dave in TexasIs he talking about their mental capacity? Because with all the technology available to journalists today, I would argue that their jobs are easier than at any point of time in the history of America.
Unlike political campaigns of the past, where the issues, honesty, mutual respect, and rational dialog were just so very, very abundant.