American Masters: Walter Cronkite: Witness to History

Airs Monday, July 5, 2010 at 10 p.m. on KPBS TV

In a nationwide viewer opinion survey conducted as recently as 1995, more than a decade after he left the CBS anchor desk, Walter Cronkite again was voted "Most Trusted Man in Television News."

Credit: Steve Friedman/CBS 1996

Above: In a nationwide viewer opinion survey conducted as recently as 1995, more than a decade after he left the CBS anchor desk, Walter Cronkite again was voted "Most Trusted Man in Television News."

Thursday, July 23, 2009

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Everyone knew Walter Cronkite from the CBS Evening News, where he earned distinction as "The Most Trusted Man in America" during his 19 years at the anchor desk.

Walter Cronkite reports from the site of extensive bombing as he covers the aftermath of the Tet offensive during the Vietnam War, Vietnam, 1968.

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Credit: CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images

Above: Walter Cronkite reports from the site of extensive bombing as he covers the aftermath of the Tet offensive during the Vietnam War, Vietnam, 1968.

Throughout his award-winning career --which began as a field reporter in World War II -- Cronkite covered such historic events as the first trip to the moon; the assassinations of John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy; the Watergate scandal; the Vietnam War; the Iran hostage crisis; and John Glenn's return to space.

Through it all, he steadfastly adhered to a credo of fast, accurate and unbiased news reporting. After stepping down as anchorman in 1981, his story continued -- Walter Cronkite lead the life of a genuine Renaissance man -- author, sailor, producer and patron, his public concern for, and commitment to, our world never faltered. Cronkite died on Friday, July 17, 2009.

View his career timeline read the interview with the award-winning director Catherine Tatge, who shares some insight into the making of the film.

Video

Preview: Walter Cronkite: Witness To History

Above: Don Hewitt, Molly Ivins and David Frost are just a few of the veteran journalists who share their views of the man they call the most trusted man in America: Walter Cronkite. Catherine Tatge directs this 90-minute documentary on Cronkite's prolific life and work, with titles designed by Jessica Helfand and Cavan Huang. Produced for American Masters.

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