Has The "Evening News" Gotten Better? Or Worse?

By: Brian Montopoli
Topics: News History

Video:
CBS News

I was talking to a CBS News correspondent the other day about the quality of the "Evening News," and the conversation turned to the notion, popular among media critics, that the "Evening News" has declined in quality over the years. The correspondent said he believed that the show has actually improved, in large part because journalists have learned to tell stories more clearly and efficiently over time.

To test the theory, I've dug up an episode of the "Evening News" from Nov. 18th, 1964. The anchor is Walter Cronkite, and the top story is an announcement by Defense Secretary Robert McNamara of a large reduction in military bases. Bill Plante – who you can still see on the "Evening News" today – offers a report from the Brooklyn Navy Yard. And the first commercial you'll see is for Parliament cigarettes -- apparently, tobacco tastes best when the filter's recessed. (You'll love the jingle.)

Anyway, have a look at the show by clicking on the video box above. I've also included a link to Tuesday's episode of the "Evening News" for comparison's sake. Decide for yourself if the show has improved or declined over the years.

Brian Montopoli
Brian Montopoli is the senior political reporter at CBSNews.com.
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by rogerbru-2009 January 27, 2007 9:17 PM EST: Yes, Virginia, there was such a thing as a CBS News United Nations correspondent back then, the great Richard C. Hottelet ("Hello, chum!").

Walter Cronkite was the first to caution that he couldn't cover everything on the Evening News, but this sample proves it wasn't for want of trying. Notice how crisp and clean Walter's broadcast was. No glitz. The introduction was quick. The teasers before the breaks were pithy. There were only four minutes of advertisements and no cross-promotion of other CBS News programs. There was more time for the news, and more was delivered. Of course it was a better broadcast, and CBS should take note: "That's the way it was."; Reply to this comment


by chuckcorp-2009 January 26, 2007 9:44 PM EST: Well, the Evening News is certainly still LEFT leaning and Liberal.

They gave a good 5 minutes on the Monday after Hillary declared that she is running for President. Apparently, they didn't have enough time left to even mention that Sam Brownback (R) was running.

Hey Katie: It's OK to run stories of fallen heroes. But why don't you call them "Fallen Heroes"? There are tons of LIVING hereos in parts of the world that you've never heard of, fighting for your right to spew your liberal bias.; Reply to this comment


by choney2 January 26, 2007 9:11 PM EST: As someone who remembers Walter Cronkite, very well! And the respect that he recieved from the public. I feel that the media as a whole is no longer commanding the same respect. They spend so much time on fluff pieces, based on a celebritys life. Who they are dating or living with, how many babies they have had without the thing called a marriage license. And even worse the news seems to be directed by special interest groups. Every now and then you feel as if the reporter is sticking his or her neck out to tell a story with all of the facts. But you can tell that someone is monitoring the information they are allowed to release. I think that is why Blogs have become so popular, people can speak the truth without being sensored. Or worrying that they are going to fall out of farvor with one group or another. All you have to do is watch the world news to know there's a diffrence. We do not recieve half of the information on what is really going on in the world, like they report on the world new. Our stations tend to try and paint America in rose tint. But when you see us from the veiw point of other countrys. We are in trouble with the rest of the world.; Reply to this comment


by elkc January 26, 2007 7:19 PM EST: As much as things change... things seem to remain the same. While technology has moved news reporting to new heights, the tried and true always seem to be the foundation between both newscasts. Both casts accomplished the ultimate simply by talking one on one, the personable connection was made and the message received. Thanks for letting me share.; Reply to this comment


by one_american January 26, 2007 7:15 PM EST: I think one of the reasons the quality and accuracy has degraded on the evening news is because, back in the old days, stories were shot on film, and overseas stories took days to put together along with the film before the whole story was told.

Nowadays, video can be beamed live to the audience, sometimes without regard for context or fairness, accuracy, or the dilligent fact-checking necessary to get the story right.

This has proven in the recent past be a convenient excuse for those with an agenda to slant the news.; Reply to this comment


by one_american January 26, 2007 7:07 PM EST: When I watched uncle Walter back then, I remember seeing a picture along with the sound. Guess I was wrong?; Reply to this comment