Paul White (journalist)
Paul White | |
---|---|
San Diego, California, US | |
Education | Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism |
Occupation(s) | Journalist, news director |
Spouse(s) | Sue Taylor White (married 1937–?)[1][2] Margaret Miller White (married 1944–1955)[3]: 349 |
Children | 2 |
Paul Welrose White (June 6, 1902 – July 9, 1955) was an American journalist and
Biography
Paul Welrose White was born June 6, 1902, in
White became a correspondent for the United Press, covering stories ranging from the sensational trials of Ruth Snyder, Earl Carroll and the Hall–Mills murder case to the historic flights of Charles Lindbergh, Ruth Elder and Richard E. Byrd. He worked his way up to editor of United Features Syndicate.[5]
In 1929 the
In March 1933 White was named vice president and general manager in charge of news at CBS.[5]
"Paul White was building an organization that would take on an almost legendary reputation," wrote radio historian
Within the year the conventional press wanted to compromise. In December 1933 the Press-Radio Bureau was created — with another set of restrictions that were soon disregarded. "This was the last hurrah in the attempt by the press to control radio news," wrote radio historian John Dunning. "Radio had discovered its own capability."[6]: 486
In 1935 White hired Edward R. Murrow, and sent him to London in 1937 to run CBS Radio's European operation.[6]: 486 White led a staff that would come to include Charles Collingwood, William L. Shirer, Eric Sevareid,[8] Bill Downs,[3] John Charles Daly, Joseph C. Harsch[6]: 501 Cecil Brown, Elmer Davis, Quincy Howe, H. V. Kaltenborn and Robert Trout.[4] "CBS was getting its ducks in a row for the biggest news story in history, World War II", wrote radio historian John Dunning.[6]: 487
As early as 1940, White embarked upon a collaboration with
White and CBS received a 1945
White died at his home in San Diego July 9, 1955, after a long illness.[4]
News on the Air
Published in 1947, White's book News on the Air was still used as a textbook at the time of his death in 1955. Reviewing the book in The New York Times, Jack Gould wrote, "The name Paul W. White probably is not familiar to most radio listeners, but for thirteen years he had a direct and influential hand in regard to the news and opinion which they heard on the air. … Under Mr. White's administration, in fact, the CBS newsroom gained a reputation as the most competent and alert in radio." White's book argues that radio's chief value in journalism was its clear and informal presentation of news, in contrast to the cumbersome style employed by many newspapers.[4]
"Paul White was a teacher as well as a working pro," said Dan Rather, recipient of the Paul White Award in 1997. "He taught Murrow and the Murrow Boys, and he taught at Columbia University from 1939 to 1946. And it's worth noting that Paul White didn't merely practice high standards — he put them in a book, where he hoped that the young — students and professionals — would find them and learn from them. And so he wrote News on the Air. For a long time it was the definitive textbook on broadcast journalism. It influenced three generations of radio and television reporters, including the present generation — and specifically including this reporter, who devoured the book in college."[8]
Legacy
Since 1956 the Radio Television Digital News Association has presented the Paul White Award for lifetime achievement as its highest honor. Recipients include Christiane Amanpour, Tom Brokaw, Pauline Frederick, Charles Gibson, Charles Kuralt, Edward R. Murrow, Dan Rather, Tim Russert, Bob Schieffer, Chris Wallace and Lesley Stahl.[13]
See also
References
- ^ Variety Radio Directory 1940–1941. Variety, Inc. 1940. p. 843.
- ^ "Susan Taylor White Papers, 1937–1979". Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved 2014-05-25.
- ^ ISBN 9781433106026
- ^ a b c d e "Paul White Dies; Radio Newsman". The New York Times. July 10, 1955. Retrieved 2016-03-03.
- ^ NYPL Digital Gallery. Retrieved 2014-05-25.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-19-507678-3.
- ^ White, Paul W., News on the Air. New York: Harcourt, Brace and Company, 1947
- ^ a b Dan Rather Accepting the Paul White Award, Radio Television Digital News Association Conference & Exhibition, September 20, 1997. Retrieved 2014-05-25.
- ^ Time - Radio: La Cadena, June 1, 1942 William S. Paley, La Cadena de las Americas on Content.time.com
- ^ Roosevelt, Franklin D., "Executive Order 8840 Establishing the Office of Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs", July 30, 1941. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project, University of California, Santa Barbara
- ^ "Paul White Award". Radio Television Digital News Association. Retrieved 2016-01-21.
External links
- 1944 Radio News at the Internet Archive, with CBS coverage including Paul White's questions for Charles Shaw in London on D-Day (June 6, 1944)
- What's My Line (October 5, 1952) at the Internet Archive
Former colleague John Charles Daly mentions Paul White to contestant John Butler, mayor of San Diego (9:53)