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AREA: CBS and “60 Minutes”


CBS (Columbia Broadcasting System) has a long, complex history as the largest television network and radio broadcaster in the United States and one of three television networks which – until the rise of cable television – dominated broadcasting in the US. Like the network’s famous Eye logo, CBS’s investigative television newsmagazine, “60 Minutes,” has become an American icon. As a top-rated program for much of its life, “60 Minutes” has garnered numerous television and journalism awards and has been, and to a degree, still is, regarded as the pre-eminent investigative television program in the US. However, as successful and as highly received as both CBS and “60 Minutes” are, controversy has followed and has often affected the credibility of both. Despite the controversies, CBS and “60 Minutes” are flawed and influential broadcasting giants.

Since its founding in 1927, CBS, under the leadership of William S. Paley, has been a potent corporate mixture of innovation, competition, and infamy. From the hysteria created by Orson Welles’ 1938 broadcast of H. G. Welles’ “War of the Worlds” on CBS’ Mercury Theatre to a much publicized talent raid on competitor NBC in the mid-1940s, CBS has been on the cutting edge of both original programming and controversy. Further, from news division head Edward R. Murrow and his team of reporters and editors to the unique format and style of reporter-centered investigation exhibited by producer Don Hewitt and his stable of correspondents on “60 Minutes”, the network has been at the forefront of the industry and has exerted a profound influence on news broadcasting and coverage. (In fact, CBS was called “the Communist Broadcasting System”.) Often considered the crown jewel of CBS crown, the CBS news division has included not only some of the greatest names in broadcast journalism (Murrow, Walter Cronkite, Eric Sevaried, Harry Reasoner, Dan Rather, Charles Kurault, Mike Wallace, Ed Bradley, et. al) and has paved the way for television documentary and investigative journalism. As such, both CBS and “60 Minutes” offer a rich repository of media analysis and study.

In addition to these areas or in conjunction with them, potential topics may include:

The early years of CBS CBS Radio Broadcasting Welles’ “War of the Worlds” Broadcast The CBS Radio Mystery Theatre Mercury Theatre CBS Corporate history Television Programming (including individual/notable series) Children’s Programming Edward R. Murrow and “Murrow’s Boys” McCarthyism and Television News The Post-WWII years Television coverage of the House Un-American Activities Hearings George Clooney’s “Good Night and Good Luck” Vietnam Coverage CBS vs General Westmoreland “Point/Counterpoint” Memogate/Rathergate The Audi 5000 controversy The Brown and Williamson scandal Michael Mann’s “The Insider” “60 Minutes” and the U. S. Customs Service CBS and Viacom Cross-promotion CBS and the Coverage of the 1968 Chicago Democratic National Convention Walter Cronkite “The CBS Evening News” Dan Rather CBS Coverage of the JFK Assassination Coverage of the RFK Assassination and Funeral CBS and the Coverage of the Civil Rights Movement CBS and Watergate The “60 Minutes” Bill and Hillary Clinton Intervew Coverage of Iran-Contra Coverage of the Reagan Assassination Attempt The Format of “60 Minutes” etc.

Special Panels will held which will focus on:

The Legacy of Dan Rather CBS and the Vietnam Conflict Walter Cronkite: The Most Trusted Man in America 60 Minutes and Mike Wallace: Newsman or Ambush Entertainer?

Submissions on any aspect of CBS and/or “60 Minutes” history, approaches, programming, and influence are welcome.

Deadline for submission is July 25, 2006.