On Thursday, Morley Safer, a journalist renowned for his work on “60 Minutes,” died at age 84.
Safer worked at CBS for 52 years and spent 46 seasons reporting for “60 Minutes.” He was best known for his groundbreaking reporting on the Vietnam War, as well as his interviews with Betty Ford, Anna Wintour, Bernie Madoff and more.
Les Moonves, chairman and chief exec of CBS, said Safer was the “most important journalist in any medium ever”:
Morley was one of the most important journalists in any medium ever. He was also a gentleman, a scholar, a great raconteur—all of these things and much more to generations of colleagues, his legion of friends, and his family, to whom all of us at CBS offer our sincerest condolences.
In failing health, Safer announced his retirement only a week ago. He died just four days after a special “60 Minutes” tribute to him:
#MorleySafer What are the chances that Morley draws the curtain only 4 days after that 60 mins tribute? Rest. http://pic.twitter.com/aLbLcoagEr
— Juergen Barbusca (@juergenbarbusca) May 20, 2016
Many reporters and PR pros, celebrities and other public figures took to Twitter to pay their respects:
Morley Safer was a world-class, Hall of Fame level journalist. What a storied career. https://t.co/5roLDNTwAd
— Richard Roeper (@richardroeper) May 19, 2016
What an incredible life and career #MorleySafer had. From Vietnam to his decades @60Minutes. There was no one else like him.
— Anderson Cooper (@andersoncooper) May 19, 2016
Incredible that #MorleySafer started reporting when Ike was president. He’s been on-air longer than many of us have been alive. #60Minutes
— Alissa Krinsky (@AlissaKrinsky) May 16, 2016
Several shared and responded to Safer’s last tweet, which he posted May 15:
His final tweet, just 4 days ago.#RIP #MorleySafer https://t.co/XidS7sNpXm
— Carl Quintanilla (@carlquintanilla) May 19, 2016
This was #MorleySafer’s last tweet. Thank you, sir! You were one-of-a-kind and a wonderful journalist. @60Minutes https://t.co/elzLlArekx
— Craig Lucie (@CraigLucie) May 19, 2016
Secretary of State John Kerry said in a statement that Safer reminded viewers of the “power of courageous storytelling”:
Morley Safer reminded us of the power of courageous storytelling to help our country decide the right course. I got to know him not long after his years as the gutsy bureau chief in Saigon, bringing the war home to America. He just thought his job was to show the facts and let the viewers draw their own conclusions, even if it put him in the middle of controversy.
Morley innately understood the power of television and its ability to help us wrestle with tough questions. And he did it all with a smile. I will miss that gravelly voice at the other end of the phone—or a microphone.
Many of Safer’s co-workers, friends and fans shared Kerry’s sentiment, tweeting about Safer’s storytelling prowess and that it was a standard for both new and veteran communicators:
Morley Safer has died. A masterful storyteller, inspiration to many of us and a wonderful friend.
— Jeff Fager (@JeffFager) May 19, 2016
We as journalist can learn a great deal about our craft from observing #MorleySafer . He was more than a reporter, he was a legend. #Legend
— Joseph Bonner (@josephblegend) May 20, 2016
before i was an actor i worked in news, @SaferCBS = one of the greatest storytellers & adventurers of our time, #MorleySafer will be missed.
— Melissa Ponzio (@MelissaPonzio1) May 19, 2016
Two pieces of advice for young broadcast journalists.
— Matt Lauer (@MLauer) May 19, 2016
1. Watch Morley Safer’s segments.
2. Repeat step one. A true professional/original
Morley Safer was an extraordinary storyteller with a unique and sometimes quirky take on the world. What a legacy. https://t.co/hoCWmKlK9h
— Katie Couric (@katiecouric) May 19, 2016
Morley Safer was a legend in broadcasting. Amazing writer. A gentleman. His take on modern art on 60 Minutes was incredible. Irreplaceable
— Andy Cohen (@Andy) May 19, 2016
For journalists and PR pros disheartened by the news media’s changing climate in a day of constant access and social media feeds, Safer’s legacy provides a timeless model with valuable lessons.
Ben Sherwood, president of Disney/ABC Television and co-chair of Disney Media Networks, quoted Safer and reminded people that professional communicators will always be in demand:
“I would trust citizen journalism as much as I would trust citizen surgery.” - RIP Morley Safer
— Ben Sherwood (@bensherwood) May 19, 2016
How do you remember Morley Safer, PR Daily readers?
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