Famous Journalists and Reporters Quiz

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. He was instrumental in showing the true power of the news anchor by helping turn popular opinion against the Vietnam War:

Answer: Walter Cronkite

Cronkite's legendary sign off phrase, 'That's the way it is', was heard in millions of homes through the 1960's and 70's. After reporting on the stunning 1968 Tet Offensive, he offered the opinion that the war would end in a stalemate. When President Lyndon Johnson caught wind of this, he reportedly said that if they lost Cronkite, they've lost America.

2. This controversial figure was the first woman to anchor a major network.

Answer: Jessica Savitch

Despite her role as a pioneer for women in journalism, Savitch's career at NBC was a constant source of controversy, from her reputed backstage tirades to an on-air slurred news update that hinted heavy drug use and all but finished her career. Savitch died in a car accident on Oct. 23, 1983. Ironically, her obituary was overshadowed by the terrorist bombing of a Marine base and the invasion of Grenada on the same date.

3. He is considered the father of modern journalism, from his on-air reports of WWII from the rooftops of London during the Blitz to his daring challenge of McCarthyism:

Answer: Edward R. Murrow

Real name Egbert Roscoe Murrow, he was born in 1908 and began working for CBS in 1935, staying there until 1961, four years before his death. In that time, he hosted the shows 'See It Now' and 'Person To Person'. His last years were spent as director of the United States Information Agency (USIA).

4. Despite 35 years of dedicated service to CBS News, from '60 Minutes' to '48 Hours', this reporter's career was periodically marred by an on-air walkoff after a late tennis match and a bizarre mugging, which contributed to the title of an REM song.

Answer: Dan Rather

The song was titled 'What's the Frequency, Kenneth', which the mugger reportedly kept asking Rather during the attack. Rather has held many prestigious positions, ranging from co-editor of '60 Minutes' to anchor of the weekend and weeknight editions of the 'CBS Evening News'.

He has served as CBS News bureau chief in London and Saigon and was the White House correspondent during the Johnson and Nixon administrations and also anchored and reported for '48 Hours' since its premiere in 1988.

5. This journalist was most famous for his role a NBC co-anchor with David Brinkley from 1956 to 1970:

Answer: Chet Huntley

The NBC Huntley-Brinkley Report's ceremonial closing, 'Good night, David,' 'Good night, Chet' was heard for the last time on August 1, 1970, when Huntley retired from broadcasting, but Brinkley altered his words to 'Good-bye, Chet.' As he signed of, Huntley left his audience with one final plea: 'Be patient and have courage--there will be better and happier news some day, if we work at it.' Huntley died March 20, 1974.

6. This WLS radio reporter was propelled into the history books when he covered the explosion of the airship 'Hindenburg':

Answer: Herbert Morrison

Morrison uttered the famous 'Oh, the humanity...' on May 6, 1937 in Lakehurst, New Jersey as the dirigible was attempting to land at the Naval Air Station. Nehlson was the sound engineer that Morrison referred to when he yelled, 'Can you get this, Charlie...'

7. The breaking news of John Lennon's murder on Dec. 8, 1980, was made on television by this unlikely reporter:

Answer: Howard Cosell

Millions were watching a 'Monday Night Football' game (Miami vs. New England) when the bulletin came across. Since ABC was the only network still broadcasting at the time of the shooting (about 11 pm EST when the other networks had turned to local programming), Cosell broke the news from the announce booth.

8. Through his reporting of the Gulf War, this journalist was known as 'The Scud Stud':

Answer: Arthur Kent

Kent captured many viewers imaginations by broadcasting from Saudi Arabia during Iraqi missle attacks, much like Edward R. Murrow did from London 50 years before.

9. Initially starting as the anchor of 'America Held Hostage' during the Iranian hostage crisis, this reporter became one of a major voice in late night news. Who?

Answer: Ted Koppel

As the hostage crisis ended, 'America Held Hostage' changed its name to 'Nightline' and has been a late night staple ever since.

10. Despite having won ten Emmys and numerous journalism awards (including the Peabody), this reporter is still primarily known for his investigative, sometimes aggressive and sensationalist, talk shows (and searching for Al Capone's secret vault), predating the likes of Povitch and Springer:

Answer: Geraldo Rivera

Rivera first caught the public eye in 1972, as a special correspondent for ABC's 'Good Morning America' and then in 1978 for the prime time investigative show '20-20'. His brashness led to controversies with the network and was fired in 1985 after publicly criticizing ABC for canceling his report on an alleged relationship between John F. Kennedy and Marilyn Monroe.

Source: Author Oddball

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Snowman before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

Most people remember famous world events, but many remember the broadcasters who passed them along. Here is a quiz on some of the more memorable personalities.

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