Katie Couric's Notebook: Walter

By: Katie Couric
Topics: Katie Couric's Notebook

Walter Cronkite died one week ago, and while we mourn the loss, it's been wonderful to see such exuberant and heartfelt tributes all across the country.

But I had to smile albeit, a tad ruefully, and I think he would too when I saw The New York Times correcting a piece that had appeared following his death.

The article contained not one, not two, but seven errors about his life and career.

While he may have relished the report that he'd stormed the beaches on Normandy on D-Day, he was actually in a warplane high above.

And Walter's coverage of Neil Armstrong's giant leap for mankind came on July 20th, 1969. Not July 26th.

And Walter, like my Dad, worked for UP during the war. It didn't become UPI till a merger years later.

The paper issued a correction that seemed as long as the article itself.

Walter Cronkite used to say "get it first, but get it right."

So as we say goodbye to the Dean of TV news, let's all remember as journalists when we say "that's the way it is" - it really is.

That's a page from my notebook.

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by petersemkiw July 28, 2009 12:51 AM EDT: Are we still goin' sailing next weekend?; Reply to this comment


by casey_abbott July 27, 2009 10:56 PM EDT: This is really fascinating. Who else would have that kind of money?; Reply to this comment


by chormyms July 27, 2009 10:51 AM EDT: Pardon my negativity once again, here, but I genuinely don't see many old-fashioned, by the book, traditional, journalists, today. Too many journalists, in my opinion, aspire too much to become celebrities---ego comes first. I can't think of one journalist, today, whom hasn't become a political activist, of sorts, also. During the presidential campaigns, I saw a side of journalism, which actually belonged on the Comedy Channel---purely a joke. Mr. Cronkite never allowed his political leanings, to come through, in his reporting, however, during the campaign, I saw clearly, the political leanings of every journalist, from network TV, to cable news. I felt actually embarrassed, for what most journalists attempted to pass off, as journalism. Unless journalism, as it was intended, is resurrected, I will view TV news, as an extension of "Saturday Night Live"---as entertainment and great for laughs. I actually don't enjoy being so brutally honest, yet, someone has to do it. Enough is enough.; Reply to this comment


by casey_abbott July 26, 2009 10:28 AM EDT: Let's speculate.; Reply to this comment


by NinthSt78 July 24, 2009 9:10 PM EDT: Thank goodness we now have Katie. I have every bit as much confidence in her as I did in Walter. I guess my age might be showing, though, because I still felt more comfortable with a typewriter.; Reply to this comment

by ononeplace2 July 24, 2009 8:28 PM EDT

Since his last days of his life, Tomented and now suffering the loss of your friends Christopher Glenn, Ed Bradley, Ike Pappas and Walter Cronkite, Harry Smith decided, he would not work for the early show. Since Gil Gross had to look back at Paul Harvey's work and then leaving his abc radio network and stations. Cronkite's Voice is passed to Wendell Craig whose responsible for other voiceover networks like Nickelodeon and Nick at Nite that has passed to Bill St. James. We all knew them The Deaths of Alana Stewart's girlfriend Farrah Fawcett and Tremaine's Friend Michael Jackson in the investigation for next week's promos after the Walter Cronkite Promos for cbs news and live coverage of his last days. We would like to Hear this is the cbs evening news with katie couric voiced by mr. cronkite again til your words And That's the way it is. Friday July 24, 2009 to end the show. Due to Walter's Death. CBS News owe this so when harry's gone, it'll be his last early show appearance. Also since Charles mourns before the funeral start and our voiceover Wendell Craig to promo the Walter Cronkite funeral, you know that Charles Osgood is leaving sunday morning and after two decades, he's back with the osgood files. I'm sorry about your loss and it was your sad duty to informed us when the walter cronkite funeral coverage promo takes over. So on behalf of the early show, saturday early show, sunday morning, face the nation and 60 minutes, some deep felt condolences to all your cbs news friends. And Harry and Charles, if you ever leave this broadcast after suffering the loss of Walter Cronkite said by dan rather, I'll never forgive you all. It's time Harry you step down and say your goodbye and so will Mr. Osgood. As Barack Obama said "This nation lost a true icon and he will sorely be missed. Write us back. Only you and the cbs news team, only cbs.

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