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In a 2006 interview, Walter Cronkite recalled how the search
for missing reporters in
When CPJ first contacted you in 1981, it was a start-up organization with just a few people. So why would you agree to be honorary chairman?
I'd recently been active in an attempt to trace the fate of
several correspondents and photographers who disappeared on assignment in
Tell us about your
experience leading a committee of journalists seeking information about the
missing in
While my name became attached to the efforts to find missing
photographers and reporters in the Vietnam War, most notably in
In 1995, you helped
persuade Turkish Prime Minister Tansu Ciller to drop charges against Reuters
correspondent Aliza Marcus, who faced prison for reporting on counterinsurgency
strikes against Kurdish rebels. Tell us about it.
The committee's long-running efforts to persuade several consecutive
governments in
Over 25 years, what milestone in the press freedom movement comes to mind?
Advances certainly include the United Nations' establishment of a World Press Freedom Day, celebrated annually on May 3 since 1994. It reminds the entire world of the necessity for a free press--and the dangers to those who fight for one.
Editor's note: This interview first appeared in the October 2006 edition of CPJ's magazine, Dangerous Assignments.
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Walter Cronkite was a huge part of four generations of our family's life! My parents, and grandmother insisted each evening that we listen to him provide us with an update on what was happeining in this world. We looked forwrd to his news casts. My children had that same opportunity. We all became more familiar with Mr. Cronkite with TV news specials ie, getting up in the middle of the night to hear him broadcast the suttles into space, political situations including the death of President Kennedy, Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. etc.
We are so thankful that such an honest, considerate and brave human gave us a world perspective that we could trust and believe!
We all loved, valued and respected Mr. Cronkite. (I've actually had a crush on him for about 50 years - to me he was a super hero!)
I'll miss you and your reports, Walter KB2GSD. 73's ...
Lynn WB7PTR
When I was very young, I watch Mr. Cronkite give the news every evening. This was a family affair in our household. I watch him reporting of President Kennedy's assassination in 1963, when Dr. King was killed in 1968, Bobby Kennedy death in 1968, and the first man on the moon. I felt that if Mr. Cronkite gave the news, it was given straight to the people, who ever may be listening. The difference between Mr. Cronkite reporting and the news reporters of today are, Mr. Cronkite reported the news unlike the present press that goes out trying to invent news to report. So as the crew said in the film to "Mr. Roberts", we say, Thanks Mr. Cronkite, thanks for everything.
A man of integrity, compassion, skill and values!
Deeply missed and loved.