Christiane Amanpour, anchor of ABC’s “This Week” and recipient of the 28th Annual Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism, told attendees at a luncheon in her honor that journalism is the highest public service and telling stories is a great honor.
“Journalists are the caretakers of the public good,” Amanpour said to approximately 950 attendees Thursday at the Sheraton Hotel in Phoenix.
Selected guests of the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, University faculty and staff and numerous members of the journalism community attended a luncheon to honor Amanpour.
Amanpour, an award-winning foreign correspondent, was named anchor of “This Week with Christiane Amanpour” after working for CNN for more than 27 years.
She spent a majority her tenure covering important global events such as the Egyptian Revolution, the Iranian elections and the controversy surrounding Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi.
“I am truly humbled because I see the students with my own eyes living up to the legacy of Walter Cronkite,” Amanpour said. “That gives me faith in the profession.”
The award is chosen by a nomination committee within the Cronkite Endowment Board of Trustees, a group of approximately 50 media leaders throughout the Phoenix valley. Recommendations may also come from staff, faculty, students and community members.
Vice Provost and Cronkite School Dean Christopher Callahan said journalists given this honor must have a career of outstanding journalistic work.
“The kind of reporting (Amanpour) did is really inspiring,” Callahan said. “She was in harms way for a long time (with her reporting) and I think that she's a great role model for all of our students, but particularly for our women students.”
Introductory remarks were given by the Arizona Board of Regents Chairman Fred DuVal along with Callahan and University President Michael Crow.
"She’s one that you can trust when she speaks,” said Crow.
John Misner, president of the Cronkite Endowment Board and chief operating officer of Republic Media, introduced Amanpour.
In a video presentation during the luncheon, Amanpour was described as "a fabulous combination of fire and heart” and that she “embodies the essence at why Walter Cronkite is so great."
While accepting the award, Amanpour’s remarks were very lively as she emphasized the importance of journalism in society, and said journalists must be more than mere spectators.
“It’s about justice — not just us,” she said. “I still believe that (journalism) is a public service and it’s one of the most important public services because without information you can’t go about your daily life. You need to know the stories of others, whatever they may be.”
Throughout the day, Amanpour, the luncheon presenters, and various guests honored the late Walter Cronkite and his legacy.
“This luncheon is such a great tribute not only to the honoree today, Christiane, but it’s also just a great representation the media combined of Arizona,” said Art Brooks, president and CEO of Arizona Broadcasters Association. “This luncheon is so important to the Cronkite School of everything that it does and we’re very supportive.”
Prior to the award luncheon, Amanpour also spoke to a group of students, faculty and community members at the Cronkite School Thursday morning.
Attendance was offered to students at the Cronkite School who have attended and written about Cronkite events throughout the semester.
Journalism freshman Christian Klein said he enjoyed the luncheon because he grew up with Amanpour’s legacy and loved hearing the expertise that she had to share.
“It was a great experience, and I loved seeing what everyone had to say,” Klein said. “Watching her on TV and growing up with her was just awesome and just seeing all of the wisdom she shared with us today was really good.”
Reach the reporter at ctetreau@asu.edu
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