JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 | TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE 139
W here is Chet? Or for
that matter, where is
David or Edward or
Walter or any number
of other broadcasters with last
names such as Huntley, Brinkley,
Murrow and Cronkite? I am sure
you see where I am going. These
individuals were reputable and
dependable newscasters. There also
were many others, both local and
national, who set the standard for
journalists in the true definition of
that word.
Edward R. Murrow, who I consider
to be one of the best ever, once
said, “To be persuasive we must
be believable. To be believable we
must be credible. To be credible we
must be truthful.”
I am sure that makes you think
about what has changed in the broadcast
news industry. We remember when we
heard Walter Cronkite say, “That’s the
way it is.” We knew it was indeed the
way it was.
Those newscasters felt like friends and
came into our homes each evening to
visit with us. As a result, when Edward
R. Murrow said, “good night and good
luck,” you felt he was speaking directly
to you.
The elements of the Edward R. Murrow
quote – believable, credible and truthful
–were what we expected to hear.
However, I am baffled trying to figure
out what happened. I was broadcasting
sports, but I still told my followers that I
would rather be second and accurate as
opposed to first and wrong. It was only
important to be first if you were right.
These legendary broadcasters had
one thing in common. They told the
story straight. It was up to you to
form an opinion. Unfortunately, now
broadcasters think the audience lacks the
intelligence to hear the facts and form
an opinion. Therefore, they want to give
their “explanation” of what happened,
or what was said.
When I was broadcasting, it was
understood that if I gave an opinion,
there would be a commentary or similar
designation on the screen. I did do
commentaries with the idea of spurring
more thought, but not with the idea of
swaying opinions. The story itself was
still delivered straight. It is a shame
that especially the national news outlets
seem to represent one side or the
other in the political arena. As a
viewer, you can pretty accurately
predict what is going to be said on
a certain subject, and they rarely
disappoint.
Then there is the blending of
hard news and opinion without
distinction. That is dangerous to say
the least. Known commentators
express opinions. But when a
newscaster assumes the role of
commentator without the benefit
of distinction between the two, it
totally slants the hard news report
they are giving.
One of the great pillars of this
nation is freedom of the press.
It is necessary in a democracy,
but we have gone off the rails.
Freedoms of any type must not
be abused; and freedoms of every type
should be respected. What I yearn for is
national television news with freedom
and respect for that freedom. The news
should not be a soapbox for preaching
an agenda. In addition, we need more
emphasis on the good things people are
doing and the greatness of this country
because of its freedoms. That is a fact, as
well as my opinion. 9
EDITOR’S NOTE: Dick Crippen, a staple
in Tampa Bay broadcasting for more than
40 years, is a senior adviser for the Tampa
Bay Rays, and works extensively with the
military. He is active in the world of charity
fundraising and sits on numerous boards for
nonprofit organizations.
COMMAERNTTARY
WHERE ARE THE CHETS?
By Dick Crippen
Dick Crippen