When credibility is lost, news becomes propaganda

Credibility is the very essence of broadcast news journalism without which reports became mere propaganda or spins. Network news departments have lost their basic principles as seen by the recent $15 million ABC payout to Donald Trump for false stories.

As an acquaintance with Marvin Kalb during the period, I had a front row seat for the loss of network news departments’ credibility when CBS experienced an internecine war between the “experts” and the “pretty faces”. The former consisted of Walter Cronkite whose approaching retirement started the battle, Bernard Kalb, Marvin Kalb, Roger Mudd, Richard C. Hottelet, and Eric Sevareid among others were considered to be Edgar R. Murrow’s specially anointed journalists.

CBS championed the pretty faces such as Dan Rather, more noted for his good looks and mellifluous voice than his expertise, and Sally Quinn, best known for her affair with the Washington Post’s editor, Ben Bradlee. Other networks followed suit.

Unfortunately, this trend for good looks and wonderful voices descended to the local levels. With bad acne or sharp voice would either Beth Maliki or Liz Mathis been hired? Locally, only former KGAN anchor Amy Johnson stands out as a credible journalist.

The scandal of George Stephanopoulos citing false claims against Donald Trump is but a mild example of the degradation of trustworthiness. Fox News makes no attempt at being unbiased. CBS, NBC, and ABC must be filtered to find truth.

The Second Amendment protects the press. There is no protection for us from the press.

Stephen Regan, Ed. D

Cedar Rapids