ByQuotes

Harrison Salisbury Quotes

Powerful Harrison Salisbury for Daily Growth

About Harrison Salisbury

Harrison Salisbury (June 15, 1926 – November 7, 2009) was an American journalist, author, and foreign correspondent renowned for his extensive coverage of Asia, particularly China. Born in New York City to Jewish immigrant parents from Russia, Salisbury developed a keen interest in journalism from an early age. He graduated from Columbia University with a degree in English Literature in 1948. Salisbury's journalistic career began at the Associated Press (AP) in 1948. He joined The New York Times in 1950, where he would spend the majority of his professional life. His first significant assignment was covering the Korean War, an experience that deepened his understanding and fascination with Asia. In 1962, Salisbury was appointed the Times' chief correspondent in China. His book "The New Emperors: China in the Era of Mao and Deng" (1993) is based on this period. The book offers a comprehensive account of China's political and social transformation during the Mao and Deng Xiaoping eras, providing valuable insights into the country's complex history. Salisbury's work was marked by his deep respect for the cultures he covered, a quality that earned him the trust of the people he encountered. His book "The 99-Day War: America in Korea, 1950-1951" (1984) is another notable work, offering a detailed account of the Korean War as seen from the perspective of American troops on the ground. Salisbury's journalism was characterized by meticulous research, deep empathy, and an unwavering commitment to truth. His works continue to be relevant and influential in understanding the political and social dynamics of Asia. After retiring from The New York Times in 1986, Salisbury continued to write and lecture on Asian affairs until his death in 2009 at the age of 83.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"In journalism, truth is less important than accuracy."

Harrison Salisbury's quote suggests that while truth is an ideal in journalism, ensuring accuracy is of greater importance. Accuracy refers to reporting facts as they are, without distortion or error, whereas truth can be subjective and may require interpretation or judgment. The statement implies that journalists should prioritize factual accuracy over personal beliefs or perspectives when reporting news events, ensuring the delivery of reliable information to the public.

"Newspapers don't care about truth; they care about the news story."

Harrison Salisbury's quote suggests that newspapers prioritize sensational or attention-grabbing stories over the pursuit of absolute truth, often focusing on the presentation of news rather than its underlying facts or veracity. This observation highlights a potential conflict between journalism's role as a watchdog for information and its need to remain commercially viable in an increasingly competitive media landscape.

"The press always goes on ahead and when anything happens you always find it has been there before."

This quote by Harrison Salisbury suggests that the media often anticipates or predicts events, giving the impression that they were present at their occurrence. It's a reminder that news organizations sometimes seem to be ahead of significant happenings due to advanced knowledge, investigative reporting, or speculation, making it appear as though they were there before an event actually occurred.

"I was a reporter, I went where the action was."

Harrison Salisbury's quote highlights his profession as a journalist and his commitment to reporting events accurately and in real-time. It suggests that he sought out significant, newsworthy events, immersing himself in the heart of the action to gather firsthand information for his stories. This approach allowed him to provide timely, relevant insights to his readers.

"What journalism does is to supply the raw material for history - facts, eyewitness accounts, documents."

This quote by Harrison Salisbury emphasizes the essential role that journalism plays in gathering and disseminating information about events as they happen (facts, eyewitness accounts, documents). These pieces of information serve as building blocks for history, providing a foundation for historians to analyze, interpret, and construct narratives about past events. In essence, journalism acts as the bridge between the immediate occurrences of reality and the historical record, allowing people to learn from the past and understand the present more fully.

The newspaper is a marvelous medium. It is extraordinarily convenient and cheap. Let's see. This one cost 75 cents. Now that's a little high. I bought it when I was downtown this morning.

- Harrison Salisbury

Newspaper, Cost, Bought, Convenient

I visited the Chinese side last year. The Chinese are in a constant state of military readiness. They have all their nuclear weapons in the area, presumably trained on targets across the border.

- Harrison Salisbury

Border, Side, Area, Presumably

Journalism students need to understand it and need a solid background in the liberal arts, in sociology, economics, literature and language, because they won't get it later on.

- Harrison Salisbury

Need, Liberal Arts, Solid, Journalism

I got a cable from New York saying that what I'd written about the growth of Soviet agricultural production didn't make sense because the same levels were reached under the czars. I wanted to confirm it, but by then the censors were on to me.

- Harrison Salisbury

Production, Got, About, Levels

Here, class attendance is expected and students are required to take notes, which they are tested on. What is missing, it seems to me, is the use of knowledge, the practical training.

- Harrison Salisbury

Here, Notes, Which, Missing

Life within the Kremlin was shrouded in impenetrable secrecy.

- Harrison Salisbury

Life, Within, Secrecy, Kremlin

I think it's important to travel around in order to get a notion of what's going on, to find out what people are think about. I enjoy talking on campuses most because people are more informed and discussion is generally livelier.

- Harrison Salisbury

Enjoy, I Think, About, Discussion

By the way, I understand that now you can have the Times delivered to your door here in the Twin Cities.

- Harrison Salisbury

Door, Here, Times, Twin

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.