A handful of us determine what will be on the evening news…
![“A handful of us determine what will be on the evening news broadcasts, or, for that matter, in the New York Times or Washington Post or Wall Street Journal. Indeed it is a handful of us with this awesome power.And those [news stories] available to us already have been culled and re-culled by…” quote by Walter Cronkite](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/f04/walter-cronkite-1759_available_a-handful-of-us-determine-what-will-be-o_2275161.png)
“A handful of us determine what will be on the evening news broadcasts, or, for that matter, in the New York Times or Washington Post or Wall Street Journal. Indeed it is a handful of us with this awesome power.And those [news stories] available to us already have been culled and re-culled by persons far outside our control.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A small elite control news narratives, while stories are filtered by external forces beyond their control.
In simple terms: A few people shape news, but many other forces influence what we see.
Key Takeaway
Recognize hidden influences on media.
Themes
media control
power
information
journalism
elite
influence
Mood
skeptical
critical
inquisitive
Type
analytical
observational
critical
When to use this quote
- public opinion formation
- political campaigns
- advertising
- social media
- newsroom decisions
Key Concepts
agenda setting
gatekeeping
media bias
Questions to Reflect On
- Who truly decides what news reaches you?
- How can individuals seek unfiltered information?
A Different Perspective
Even elite media gatekeepers are subject to external pressures and market forces.