ABC Statements on the Death of Walter Cronkite

• ABC News President David Westin:

“Walter Cronkite set an example for all broadcast journalism by simply doing his best to tell us the truth about things that matter, with courage and without partisanship. We will miss him, but will seek to keep his spirit alive by following his example.”

• ABC News Anchor Charles Gibson:

“Walter Cronkite was and always will be the gold standard. His objectivity, his even-handedness, his news judgment are all great examples. He, as much as anyone, is responsible for developing network television news. He set the standard. He told it ‘the way it is’ and all of us who are privileged to work in this business owe him an enormous debt of gratitude.”

Click continued for statements from Barbara Walters and Diane Sawyer…

ABC News ran a lower-third banner during entertainment programming at 8:24pmET/7:24pmCT announcing the death of Walter Cronkite.

ABC News Anchor Barbara Walters:

“There never was and there never will be another Walter Cronkite. We trusted him and that trust was well founded. He was also a jolly and supportive friend. He will be missed by each of us individually who knew him and by the whole country who loved him.”

• ABC News Anchor Diane Sawyer:

“He was the defining anchor of America’s story – reminding us of what we can be at our best.

He had depth, foreign reporting experience, endless excitement about the news, and an irresistible irreverence.

A call, a note, a compliment from Walter was pretty much the Nobel Prize for a young reporter. I am so lucky to know what it was to be part of the Cronkite team.”

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