Before CNN there was Walter Cronkite, Chet Huntley and Frank McGee. Today’s media coverage of the 50th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy doesn’t remind us just of that terrible day, but also showcases the integrity of news reporters when broadcast media was so new. The experienced newsmen who gathered and reported the shocking and dreadful story live on television remained free of tone and bias. They just gave the facts and appeared to be careful about sharing information without first verifying its accuracy.
Times have changed. Thank goodness that one of the nation’s darkest days in history wasn’t impacted by the frivolous and careless ways of Twitter and Facebook. Americans were given the opportunity to absorb what had happened and grieve thanks to reliable messengers who cared about getting the story right and serving the country in one of its greatest hours of need.