Dan Rather wants to start a conversation.
In honor of Free Speech Week, the journalism icon is making his 2023 documentary, “Rather,” available for free on YouTube starting Monday, Oct. 26. The streaming release is in partnership with Wavelength, Original Productions and Anchor Entertainment, in a joint effort to raise awareness about journalistic integrity and freedom.
"I'm hoping that putting this documentary on YouTube will help underscore the importance of defending the First Amendment, especially at this moment," Rather tells USA TODAY. "I think it's timely."
Rather, who turns 95 on Oct. 31, anchored CBS Evening News for nearly a quarter of a century. He started his career at the Associated Press in Huntsville, Texas, and in the 75 years that
followed, he covered landmark events including the Watergate, the JFK assassination and Vietnam War.
He spoke to USA TODAY about the importance of a free press, the dangers of President Trump's plan to push reporters out of the White House, and his predictions for the midterms.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
What is it about your career and life story that you hope can inspire journalists right now?
I’ll soon be 95 years old and I've spent my entire life in news. The hope is that the story of my record in news ‒ good times, bad times, controversial times ‒ will serve as a guidepost of what the reality can be, particularly to young journalists and people who may want to get into journalism. Throughout my career, I've admired the work of organizations like the ACLU, the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, and the Committee to Protect the Journalists to elevate freedom of the press. I have used some of what they do as inspiration for my own work.
Keep in mind that while I cooperated, I did not produce this documentary. It was solely independently produced. So I invite somebody to watch the documentary and say to themselves: Is journalism something I want to get into? Is that the kind of journalism I want to practice? And how valuable do I think this man's work is, or do I think it's valuable at all? They can make their own judgment.
Media is in such a state of change right now, with mass layoffs and the rise of AI in newsrooms. Why should young people still pursue this profession in the face of so much uncertainty?
Because if you love journalism, it can be a wonderful life’s work. You do have to love it; you have to be totally committed to it. But whatever form the news takes going forward ‒ whether it’s something completely AI ‒ there’s always going to be a place for truly independent news fighting to preserve freedom and democracy. The basic work of getting to the truth, and getting the truth out, is always going to be vitally important, particularly in a country such as ours, whose very existence depends on an independent press.
When I spoke to you in 2023, you said that “journalism of integrity in the artificial intelligence era is going to be more valuable than ever.” Do you feel that the media is meeting the challenge of AI, or how could we be doing better?
Oh, we certainly could do better. But frankly, I am encouraged because many journalists are asking the right questions about where do we go from here? Not just about AI, but the whole relationship of big corporations producing news for their benefit, instead of the public’s benefit. Politics in bed with the corporate dollar ‒ we've already gone too far with it, and I do find there's some increasing understanding that we can't continue this way. One of my favorite quotes is: “News is what somebody somewhere wants to suppress; all the rest is advertising.”
This past week, the New York Times reported that the president is considering moving the press corps out of the White House. What would be most dangerous about that move?
This is a good example of why journalists need protection. The ability of the press to hold power accountable is in direct proportion to proximity. What you have here is a presidency that's dedicated to keeping the press at the furthest distance they can. And the reason for that is: The further the press is away, the more difficult it is to find out what's really going on. The closer you are to power, the better the chance you have of understanding it.
The whole idea of keeping press at a distance ‒ it’s been developing over years, and now we're coming to the worst of it. It’s one step after another designed to limit the press, and if possible, eliminate it.
On another note, I just wanted to wish you a happy early birthday. How are you planning to celebrate 95?
Thank you very much. I’m gathering family and friends, and I’m very grateful that I’ve lived as long as I have and have as much of my health as I have. I’m sorry if this has been a little disjointed today ‒ it’s a little more difficult now than it was the last time I talked to you. I’m a little hard of hearing.
No, this has been great. What gives you the most joy and fulfillment in your life right now?
Family and friends always bring me the most joy, but my work still brings me joy, too. I do this newsletter called “Steady” on Substack, which keeps me writing. I have help writing, but it allows me to live with at least the illusion that I’m still contributing. I’ve always liked to work; I still like to work, and I hope that I’ll keep my ability to work for a good deal going forward.
The midterm elections are coming just three days after your birthday. How are you feeling about them?
I've been covering politics since I was 16, 17 years old. And I’ve learned that in politics, overnight is a long time and a week is forever. I know a lot of people think that the Democrats really have a tidal wave of blue, and that may happen. I agree that there are things pointing in that direction, but a lot of people still haven't made up their minds. So I'm trying to keep an open mind about it and remind myself how often in the past the polls have been wrong. Don't get ahead of the game: Just report the facts when they're available and we'll see how it goes.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dan Rather reflects on turning 95, Trump's threat to journalists | Exclusive
