Journalism

There are two types of history to consider when trying to put CBS News anchor Walter Cronkite into context. There's the history of broadcast news and there's history itself. TV critic David Bianculli offers an appreciation of the venerable newsman.

Critic at large John Powers remembers film critic and artist Manny Farber, who died Aug. 18 at the age of 91.

As Time magazine reinvents itself for the Internet age, the editors announced they'd be dropping some old features of the magazine's distinctive verbal style. There was once an age when Time's style helped remake journalism — and the English language itself.

Critic at large John Powers on CBS anchorman Dan Rather, whose last broadcast from the anchor chair is Wednesday, March 9.

Critic-at-large John Powers considers the network news and the new documentary The Control Room.

Geoff Nunberg gives his thoughts on Fox News' case against Al Franken, over his use of the term "fair and balanced."

TV critic David Bianculli on the coverage of Princess Diana's death and funeral.

Linguist Geoff Nunberg on the origins of the word "paparazzo."

We feature a segment from the award-winning public radio program "This American Life". In "Whoring in Radio News" reporter Scott Carrier explains why he tells everyone he works for a man known only as "The Friendly Man" and why this helps him in his job.

In this excerpt from the award-winning NPR program, host Ira Glass features a 1967 "letter on tape" which was found in a Salvation Army Thrift Store. It features the father, mother and daughter of a Michigan family who's interactions on the recording reveal much about their relationships with one another.