September 9, 2009 1:50 PM

Obama Laments Current State of Journalism

By
Brian Montopoli
Topics
The Media
(CBS)
President Obama offered some critical words for present-day journalism at a memorial for legendary CBS Newsman Walter Cronkite Wednesday, contrasting Cronkite's personal values and dedication to getting the story right with a what he cast as a cheapened public debate.

The "standard of honesty and integrity and responsibility" that Cronkite maintained, the president said, is "a little bit harder to find today."

"We know that this is a difficult time for journalism," said Mr. Obama. "Even as appetites for news and information grow, newsrooms are closing. Despite the big stories of our era, serious journalists find themselves all too often without a beat. Just as the news cycle has shrunk, so has the bottom line."

Complete coverage of Walter Cronkite from CBSNews.com

"And too often, we fill that void with instant commentary and celebrity gossip and the softer stories that Walter disdained, rather than the hard news and investigative journalism he championed," he continued. "'What happened today?' is replaced with 'Who won today?' The public debate cheapens. The public trust falters. We fail to understand our world or one another as well as we should –- and that has real consequences in our own lives and in the life of our nation. We seem stuck with a choice between what cuts to our bottom line and what harms us as a society. Which price is higher to pay? Which cost is harder to bear?"


The president went on to quote Cronkite's comment that "this democracy cannot function without a reasonably well-informed electorate." Mr. Obama said America's future depends on the "honest, objective, meticulous reporting" that "is so vital to our democracy and our society."

"Walter was no naive idealist," the president said. "He understood the challenges and the pressures and the temptations facing journalism in this new era. He believed that a media company has an obligation to pursue a profit, but also an obligation to invest a good chunk of that profit back into news and public affairs. He was excited about all the stories that a high-tech world of journalism would be able to tell, and all the newly-emerging means with which to tell it."

Watch videos of Walter Cronkite's memorial from CBSNews.com

Obama's Tribute to Cronkite
Schieffer Recalls Cronkite
Katie Couric on Cronkite
President of CBS News on Cronkite
Clinton Pays Tribute to Cronkite
Tom Brokaw Pays Respects
Micky Hart Drums for Cronkite

"Naturally, we find ourselves wondering how he would have covered the monumental stories of our time," Mr. Obama continued. "In an era where the news that city hall is on fire can sweep around the world at the speed of the Internet, would he still have called to double-check? Would he have been able to cut through the murky noise of the blogs and the tweets and the sound bites to shine the bright light on substance? Would he still offer the perspective that we value? Would he have been able to remain a singular figure in an age of dwindling attention spans and omnipresent media?"

"And somehow, we know that the answer is yes," said the president. "The simple values Walter Cronkite set out in pursuit of -- to seek the truth, to keep us honest, to explore our world the best he could -- they are as vital today as they ever were."

"Our American story continues," he said. "It needs to be told. And if we choose to live up to Walter's example, if we realize that the kind of journalism he embodied will not simply rekindle itself as part of a natural cycle, but will come alive only if we stand up and demand it and resolve to value it once again, then I'm convinced that the choice between profit and progress is a false one -- and that the golden days of journalism still lie ahead."

More:

Dignitaries, Friends Honor Cronkite

Obama: Cronkite Earned His Reputation

View photos of Cronkite with newsmakers

Add a Comment See all 84 Comments
by Oregoncoaster September 10, 2009 3:59 AM EDT
Fox, Limbaugh and the rest are simply part of the fascist Republican propaganda machine. These far-right propagandists are what Mussollini called "corporatists." He knew what fascism was. The far right in this country promotes what Mussollini and Hitler stood for - a government controlled by and for the benefit of fithy-rich capitalists. Think I'm stretching things? Google "fascism." You and I live in a defacto "Fascist Republic," and much of the press, and all of the right-wing talk show world is constantly pushing a fascist agenda - it's fascism American-style - no dictators, just stupid Americans caught up in a swirl of propaganda who vote against their own interests, and for the interests of the filty-rich capitalists. Don't get me wrong, I like capitalism. I'm a small businessman. But, I think America should largely be an America of small businessman (and businesswomen) - not one of corporatism running government by running a "news" media lie-machine. We've always had problems with fascists in this country, even if they didn't call themselves fascists. But, it's never been as bad as it is now. It really is time for more reporters like Cronkite, who were reporting hard news, but, sadly, corporatism has America by the throat. I am saddened by it all, and angered at my countrymen, who are stupidly embracing right-wing, Republican Fascism.
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by Mr_Ivy_League September 10, 2009 3:25 AM EDT
I am not republican or democrat. But I am a born American and highly educated. As such it is obvious that republicans have an agenda that is non-democratic, non-freedom, and thus non-American.
It is obvious that the republicans are indeed racist neo-nazis and the new and greatest terrorist threat to the once cherished American way of life.
It is obvious that they will fight against what is right no matter what. It is obvious that they will oppose Obama no matter what.
They will oppose healthcare reform no matter what. They will oppose clean energy alternatives and green jobs no matter what. They will oppose social services and adequate funding for public education no matter what. They will oppose all environmental initiatives no matter what.
Wealth, greed, and complete dominance and power are their obsession.
It is also equally obvious that this super-wealthy white terrorist minority have much to hide. One need only look at how vehemently they oppose an impartial investigation into their involvement into the events of 9-11. If they aren't guilty then they should have nothing to hide. But we all know they are guilty and that is why they oppose the uncovering of the truth by any means necessary. Including calling for the firing of anybody in the Obama administration who seeks the truth.
It is a well documented fact that the basis of the bush's wealth was Nazi investments. It is well documented that Prescott Bush sought to undermine American democracy and create a military dictatorship in the early 1900's.
It is well documented that 9-11 was a staged "scare tactic" disaster similar to what Hitler did to strip the German people of their rights before taking over complete control of the country. It is well documented that bush passed substantial legislation giving him almost absolute power, and that he had created several concentration camps all around the country complete with gas chambers.
These republican white supremist wealthy neo-nazis are the true terrorists threatening America and they should be treated as such. They have already stripped all the anti-monopoly laws away and now control all the media outlets which now do nothing but spew ignorance and "scare tactic" propaganda. And they are intent on regaining presidential power at all costs and completing their plan to en-slave America.
This is not just a threat to minorities, but to all religions, non-wealthy whites and any individuals who oppose their will.
The facts are easily available for those who care. We must now, for once, embrace the truth and hunt down these racist two-faced vermin and shut them down once and for all.
Now is our chance, as a nation we must immediately and forever stop the insane practice of living an existence of fear based lies.
We must all act now, or America will inevitably perish. No longer will it be "the land of the free and the home of the brave", but rather it shall continue to crumble into "the land of the coward and the home of the slave".
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by robham777 September 10, 2009 9:26 PM EDT
Did you get your degree from a Cracker Jack box. The Nazis gained power in Germany through a populist movement.
by nocatnowaco September 10, 2009 1:22 AM EDT
What do you mean it is hard to find a trusted man in America??? Everybody on the left who watched MSNBC trusted Bill Clinton because he said under oath that he never had any sexual relationship with Monica!!! Don't blame on FOX.
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by nocatnowaco September 10, 2009 1:17 AM EDT
What do you mean it is hard to find a trusted man in America??? Everybody on the left who watched MSNBC trusted Bill Clinton because he said under oath that he never had any sexual relationship with Monica!!! Don't blame on FOX.
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by mav547166 September 10, 2009 12:37 AM EDT
The media is stupid to support marxist or fascist ideals because both roads lead to censorship and their demise. A good dose of skepticism on anything the government does is not a bad thing. When the MSM chooses sides it looses credibility(not to mention revenue, jobs etc)from at least half the country.
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by wdh3007 September 9, 2009 10:30 PM EDT
Well Obama is right about one thing "The standard of honesty and integrity and responsibility in journalism is a bit harder to find today." That is because journalism died in 2008 I would say that was a critical statement comming from the very person the media loves and helped get in the white house.
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by dovestar September 9, 2009 10:00 PM EDT
President Obama said tonight that he would mark those who oppose his brand of health care. And you thought that Richard Nixon had an enemies list. This guy makes Nixon look like a choirboy.

And that's REALLY the way it is.
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by woeisme1 September 9, 2009 10:12 PM EDT
And that's REALLY the way it should be!!
by tiredofthebs September 9, 2009 8:23 PM EDT
FredP903:

Wake up! HERMITDAVE is not wrong in his analysis. Numerous skyscrapers in other countries have burned for HOURS and did not collapse. The WTC collapsed in minutes. Why did the executive in charge of security for the WTC (President Bush's son) have the bomb sniffing dogs removed on 9/9/2001? Perhaps you need to STOP taking chill pills.
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by amateurradio September 9, 2009 7:50 PM EDT
The kenyan doesn't like current media coverage? They have been kissing his butt for the last two years - giving him an absolute pass on his socialist activities, and of the criminal misconduct of his administration. I guess he doesn't like that they didn't actually pronounce him god.
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by dahizzle September 9, 2009 7:13 PM EDT
Fox News is nothing more than a fascist mouthpiece for the GOP. It's pathetic journalism and belongs in the same category as the trash-rags you find at supermarket check-out stands.
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