Cronkite Critiques News ‘Front & Center’

He covered the birth of the Atomic Age, the Nuremberg Trials, the Kennedy assassination and the first moon walk.

But it was the allegations of a sex scandal in the White House that legendary newsman Walter Cronkite was pressed to talk about at a benefit for Cal State Fullerton.

“How do you feel about [the reporting] we’ve been seeing the past few days?” asked Al Franken, the Emmy Award-winning comedy writer who interviewed Cronkite onstage at the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim.

Cronkite, 81, replied: “It seems that, through the years, and probably all through history, that when the news is bad, unfavorable for us, we’re inclined to blame the messenger.

“And that is the case today. We’re seeing a backlash against the press for its reporting of this very unfortunate story out of Washington.”

The press has to report the story, Cronkite said. “You can’t pretend it’s not there. But you still have to take time to say, ‘Look, all of this body of material that is being reported today is still based on rumor.’ ”

Cronkite’s appearance was the third in the “Front & Center” series staged to raise money for the university. Gross proceeds of about $570,000 from last week’s event will go to the Presidential Scholars Program for scholarships.

A giant image of Earth formed the backdrop for Cronkite’s paid appearance before 5,000 people eager to hear his take on the world of journalism.

Walter Cronkite is “my hero,” gushed event emcee Laura Schlessinger, KFI Radio’s Dr. Laura. “It’s kind of a sad irony that we are here, honoring Walter Cronkite, the father of journalistic integrity . . . during a week in our country when allegations about our president and our media, frankly, bring us great shame,” she said.

“Walter Cronkite is a standard-bearer of commitment, honor, integrity, intelligence, humanity.

“It should be our most arrogant prayer that there will someday be a dinner in each of our honors . . . because we have lived up to your standards of professionalism and character.”

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With that, university students came onstage to present a musical tribute to Cronkite--highlighting a career that took him from copy boy to TV news anchor. Cronkite retired in 1981 from a 19-year career as anchor of the “CBS Evening News.”

“You’ve made up for all of those masters of ceremony who, through the years, have said, ‘And here’s a man who needs no introduction,” Cronkite quipped. “Look for us in New York when we open on Broadway. I think the show is worth it.”

Franken, best known for his work on “Saturday Night Live,” stood in for an ailing Carl Reiner.

He deadpanned: “I guess they didn’t have enough time to come up with a [musical] number for me.”

Then he turned to Cronkite and asked him if he was nervous. Cronkite deadpanned: “For you, or for me?”

Franken went on to ask Cronkite about his opinion of TV journalism today.

There’s an unhealthy focus on action, Cronkite said, and too much attention paid to the sensational incident. And, not enough reporting is being done about community issues at large. “We can’t practice a democracy if people can’t intelligently exercise their franchise [to vote],” he said.

Any regrets? “My biggest disappointment was not going into space,” Cronkite answered. “I’m a little older than John Glenn, so maybe they’ll let me go . . . “

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Also saluted at the affair were Bob and Marie Gray of Newport Beach, founders of St. John Knits Inc. in Irvine. They were named Orange County Couple of the Year for their contributions to the community by university President Milton A. Gordon.

“We are very grateful, proud that we put the apparel business a little on the map in Orange County,” Bob Gray said. “We have 3,500 employees, 3,000 of them in Orange County. We think Orange County is the greatest place in the world.”

Said Marie Gray: “I’m overwhelmed. We’re very proud you chose to honor us. It is great to wake up, go to work and live in Orange County.”