"I'm mighty
proud of our profession. I'm proud of the physical courage shown by
many--in war and civil insurrection and in dozens of less spectacular
ways.
I'm proud of those who expose the culpable even at the risk of their freedom, or even their lives.
I'm proud of those who have the courage to reject the favors of the
newsmakers; those who do not become part of the establishment, who
preserve access to the inner circle without becoming members of it.
I'm proud of those with courage to withstand the wrath of their
neighbors and face social ostracism in pursuit of the truth.
I'm proud of those who have the courage to reject conformity with their
colleagues and hold on to their vision of the truth while others around
them seem blind and scornful.
I'm proud, too, of all
those who work in the backrooms of our media--on rewrite, copy desks,
assignment desks, editing film and tape--professionals all. Their
devotion to this business may be greater than all those media stars
they make look so good.
There are bad apples in our
barrel, of course, but as a class, there is a purity of intent and
purpose in journalism that is unique:
We are good
conservatives, demanding proof of the need for change. We are good
liberals, ideologically bound to no cause or dogma. And, so unfettered,
we can make a claim of selflessness denied to other persons.
Our only enemies are those who would erect barriers between the people
and the truth. And the perpetual struggle against them--ah, my friends,
there is a crusade that's worth the ride."
- Walter Cronkite, 1987