Walter Cronkite signed off — and trust in the press steadily eroded

This article is part of The Poynter 50, a series reflecting on 50 moments and people that shaped journalism over the past half-century — and continue to influence its future. As Poynter celebrates its 50th anniversary, we examine how the media landscape has evolved and what it means for the next era of news.

“This is my last broadcast as the anchorman of the ‘CBS Evening News.’”

A seated Walter Cronkite, in a dark blue suit and striped tie, looked directly at the camera. It was March 6, 1981, and the celebrated journalist, who had been the voice of authority through many of America’s most tumultuous days, wanted his audience to know that this was a moment he had long planned. But nevertheless, he acknowledged, it came with sadness.

“For almost two decades, after all, we’ve been meeting like this in the evenings,” he said. “And I’ll miss that.”

Cronkite, who had anchored the flagship evening TV news program since 1962, downplayed his departure. He framed it as a transition, a passing of the baton to Dan Rather. Cronkite promised he wasn’t going away. He’d return from time to time with special news reports.

“Old anchormen, you see, don’t fade away,” he said with a hint of a smile. “They just keep coming back for more.”