Daniel Schorr Quotes

Powerful Daniel Schorr for Daily Growth

About Daniel Schorr

Daniel Schorr (1916-2010) was an esteemed American journalist, known for his insightful reporting and influential commentary spanning over six decades. Born on February 23, 1916, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Schorr developed a passion for journalism at a young age. After graduating from Harvard University, he began his career with the United States Army's Office of War Information during World War II. In the post-war years, Schorr worked for CBS News, where he covered major events such as the Nuremberg trials and the early days of the Cold War. His reporting on Joseph McCarthy's anti-communist activities led to a Senate subcommittee investigation into McCarthy, and Schorr was blacklisted due to his association with alleged Communist sympathizers. Undeterred, Schorr continued his journalistic pursuits and joined ABC News in 1964. It was here that he gained recognition for his investigative reporting, particularly on the Watergate scandal, for which he won a Peabody Award in 1973. Schorr later moved to National Public Radio (NPR) where he continued his work as a senior news analyst until his retirement in 2006. Throughout his career, Daniel Schorr was recognized with numerous accolades, including 12 Emmy Awards and the George Polk Award for Investigative Reporting. His impact on journalism extended beyond his reporting, as he advocated for truthful, objective, and ethical journalism. One of his most famous quotes, "In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act," encapsulates his commitment to truth-telling in an era of political turmoil. Schorr passed away on July 23, 2010, leaving behind a rich legacy in American journalism.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"In times of change, seek wisdom."

In periods of transformation, prioritize wisdom. This quote by Daniel Schorr emphasizes the importance of learning, understanding, and discernment during times when things are changing around us. It encourages us to think critically, make informed decisions, and navigate the challenges effectively instead of reacting impulsively or without proper consideration.


"The enemy is not outside the walls; the enemy is inside."

This quote by Daniel Schorr underscores the idea that threats to our values, freedom, or well-being often originate from within society rather than from external forces. It suggests a call to vigilance against internal corruptions such as dishonesty, intolerance, or fanaticism, which can erode the very foundations of a democratic system if left unchecked. The message is that the battle for freedom and justice must be fought on multiple fronts, including within our own communities.


"A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes."

This quote by Daniel Schorr emphasizes how misinformation, or a lie, can spread rapidly, while the truth takes longer to disseminate. It underscores the power of speed in communication and the potential for deceit to outpace facts, making it crucial for truth and accuracy to be prioritized and shared promptly in today's fast-paced digital age.


"Freedom of the press is not just important to democracy, it is democracy."

This quote by Daniel Schorr highlights the pivotal role of a free press in democratic societies. The "freedom of the press" refers to the right of journalists and media outlets to report freely without censorship or restriction from the government. In essence, Schorr is stating that a free press is not just one important aspect of democracy but rather an embodiment of it. A functioning democracy requires transparency, accountability, and informed citizens, which can only be achieved when people have access to accurate, diverse, and uncensored information about their leaders, government actions, and the state of society at large. Thus, freedom of the press is indeed "democracy" because it ensures that the principles of a democratic system are upheld and sustained over time.


"There's nothing wrong with newspapers that a little less politics and a little more journalism would cure."

The quote by Daniel Schorr implies a desire for news media to focus more on objective, factual reporting (journalism) and less on political biases or agendas. In essence, he suggests that the balance between providing political news versus practicing unbiased journalism in newspapers may need improvement, as too much politics can distract from the core purpose of delivering accurate information to the public.


Sincerity: if you can fake it, you've got it made.

- Daniel Schorr

Sincerity, Made, Got, Fake

Murrow covered something because it needed coverage. He wasn't trying to get an audience just for the sake of it.

- Daniel Schorr

Audience, Needed, Coverage, Covered

All news is an exaggeration of life.

- Daniel Schorr

Life, News, Exaggeration

If you're searching for quotes on a different topic, feel free to browse our Topics page or explore a diverse collection of quotes from various Authors to find inspiration.