WIST Quotations

Rather, Dan -- “From Murrow to Mediocrity?” New York Times (10 Mar 1987)

Dave — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 13:32:26 +0000

News is a business, but it is also a public trust.

Dan Rather (b. 1931) American broadcast journalist
“From Murrow to Mediocrity?” New York Times (10 Mar 1987)

Rather, Dan -- “What I’ve Learned,” Esquire (Aug 2005)

Dave — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 14:14:08 +0000

The press is a watchdog. Not an attack dog. Not a lapdog. A watchdog. Now, a watchdog can’t be right all the time. He doesn’t bark only when he sees or smells something that’s dangerous. A good watchdog barks at things that are suspicious.

Dan Rather (b. 1931) American broadcast journalist
“What I’ve Learned,” Esquire (Aug 2005)

Full article.

Rather, Dan -- “What I’ve Learned,” Esquire (Aug 2005)

Dave — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 15:23:55 +0000

Ratings don’t last. Good journalism does.

Dan Rather (b. 1931) American broadcast journalist
“What I’ve Learned,” Esquire (Aug 2005)

Full article.

Rather, Dan -- “What I’ve Learned,” Esquire (Aug 2005)

Dave — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 14:55:29 +0000

There’s always been pressure to sit down, shut up, don’t ask the tough questions. Go along to get along. Every administration has done it. But each succeeding administration has gotten better at it. If we aren’t careful, the tradition in American journalism of “Be skeptical. Don’t be intimidated. Don’t be afraid to put tough questions to power” will be shaken. It’ll be serious, something much bigger than journalism. The issue speaks to what kind of country we are and what kind of country we’re going to become.

Dan Rather (b. 1931) American broadcast journalist
“What I’ve Learned,” Esquire (Aug 2005)

Full article.

Rather, Dan -- “What I’ve Learned,” Esquire (Aug 2005)

Dave — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 11:00:06 +0000

I saw a quote recently that I believe in: “News is what somebody somewhere doesn’t want you to know. All the rest is advertising.”

Dan Rather (b. 1931) American broadcast journalist
“What I’ve Learned,” Esquire (Aug 2005)

Full article.

Rather, Dan -- (Attributed)

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 16:00:00 +0000

Americans will put up with anything provided it doesn’t block traffic.

Dan Rather (b. 1931) American broadcast journalist
(Attributed)

Rather, Dan -- Farewell broadcast (9 Mar 2005)

Dave — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 14:58:24 +0000

To all who … must now find the will to rebuild; to the oppressed and to those whose lot it is to struggle in financial hardship or in failing health; to my fellow journalists in places where reporting the truth means risking all; and to each of you, Courage.

Dan Rather (b. 1931) American broadcast journalist
Farewell broadcast (9 Mar 2005)