Peter Jennings Quotes

Powerful Peter Jennings for Daily Growth

About Peter Jennings

Peter Jennings (February 29, 1938 – August 7, 2005) was a Canadian-American broadcast journalist widely recognized as the anchor of ABC News's flagship news program, 'World News Tonight.' Born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, he was the son of a Swedish mother and Greek father. Raised primarily in Ottawa, he developed an early interest in current events, influenced by his grandfather, who was a diplomat for the League of Nations. In 1958, Jennings began his journalism career at CBC Television in Montreal. In 1965, he moved to ABC News as a correspondent, covering the civil rights movement and the Vietnam War. His reporting from the frontlines during the Tet Offensive earned him an Emmy Award and cemented his reputation as a skilled war correspondent. Jennings's career reached new heights when he became anchor of 'World News Tonight' in 1983, a position he held until his retirement in 2005. His tenure saw him cover significant global events, including the Challenger space shuttle disaster, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the Gulf War. He was also known for his comprehensive coverage of presidential elections from Nixon to Bush. Jennings's reporting style was characterized by his deep voice, empathetic demeanor, and thoughtful analysis. He was a recipient of numerous awards, including 21 Emmys and eight Peabody Awards. Despite his professional success, Jennings remained private about his personal life, revealing little about his struggle with HIV, which he disclosed to the public only months before his death from complications related to the disease. Peter Jennings's work continues to influence broadcast journalism, reflecting a commitment to thorough reporting and compassionate storytelling that resonates even today.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Freedom is the right to be wrong, as well as to be right."

This quote by Peter Jennings emphasizes that freedom encompasses not just the ability to make correct choices or exercise righteous actions, but also the liberty to err or act incorrectly. In essence, it underscores the importance of individual autonomy, encouraging exploration, experimentation, and learning from mistakes, which are essential aspects of personal growth and development in a free society.


"The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge."

This quote by Peter Jennings highlights the danger of overconfidence in one's understanding, even when that understanding may be based on limited or incorrect information. In essence, he suggests that assuming we know more than we actually do can hinder our pursuit and acquisition of genuine knowledge. This illusion of knowledge can lead to complacency, closed-mindedness, and resistant to new ideas or perspectives, ultimately hindering personal growth and learning. It emphasizes the importance of humility, curiosity, and open-mindedness in our quest for knowledge.


"We cannot, we must not, be a nation that turns our backs on the world."

This quote emphasizes the importance of global engagement for any nation, suggesting that isolationism or indifference towards international events is unacceptable. By actively participating in the global community, nations can contribute to collective understanding, peace, and progress. A country turning its back on the world might miss out on opportunities for collaboration, risk becoming irrelevant, and potentially overlook critical issues that could impact their citizens and the world as a whole. In short, Peter Jennings' quote underscores the necessity of maintaining an open, engaged approach to international relations in order to build a better world.


"Journalism is not about entertainment; it's about service."

Peter Jennings emphasizes that journalism is a profession dedicated to serving the public rather than merely providing entertainment. In this context, "service" refers to the fundamental role of journalism in informing, educating, and empowering citizens by reporting accurate, timely, and relevant news. This perspective underscores the importance of responsible journalism in fostering an informed society and promoting democratic values.


"The role of the journalist is to illuminate reality, not to stand in its way."

This quote by Peter Jennings emphasizes the duty of a journalist to accurately portray the truth and clarity of events rather than intentionally obstruct or distort them. A good journalist strives for transparency, seeking to shed light on reality instead of interfering with it through personal biases or sensationalism.


I think sometimes negative campaigning, like so much, is in the eye of the beholder, and I don't think we'll ever get rid of it.

- Peter Jennings

Think, Like, I Think, Beholder

Senator Albert Gore Sr. was one of the first outspoken critics of the Vietnam War.

- Peter Jennings

Critics, Senator, Outspoken

It is essential for politicians to make a connection with us, as Franklin Roosevelt did, as Teddy Roosevelt did, as John F. Kennedy did, as Ronald Reagan did.

- Peter Jennings

Reagan, Roosevelt, Essential

I think I am very mainstream - I'm committed to good works in my life.

- Peter Jennings

My Life, Think, Very, Good Works

I was raised with the notion that it was OK to ask questions, and it was OK to say, I'm not sure. I believe, but I'm not quite so certain about the resurrection.

- Peter Jennings

Questions, Raised, Sure, OK

I think you can be cynical about religion on occasion, and certainly skeptical about the degree to which some people use religion to manipulate other people.

- Peter Jennings

Think, Occasion, Which, Skeptical

I am utterly struck how, 300 years after his execution, Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire.

- Peter Jennings

Execution, Became, Struck

I'm not a slave to objectivity. I'm never quite sure what it means. And it means different things to different people.

- Peter Jennings

Different People, Slave, Different Things

Scholars will argue with each other about everything.

- Peter Jennings

Will, Other, About, Scholars

As a journalist, one tends to think there's nothing off limits.

- Peter Jennings

Think, Nothing, Journalist, Limits

I'm a reporter. I'm not a scholar.

- Peter Jennings

Reporter, Scholar

We have been through a period where we see power leaching away from Washington. Who is more important in the world today: Bill Clinton or Bill Gates? I don't know.

- Peter Jennings

Through, Been, Period, None

I think I came to see Islam, or at least one part of Islam, as an important defense mechanism against the commercialization of the world.

- Peter Jennings

Think, Against, I Think, At Least One

Al Gore has dedicated his life to detail. George W. Bush has not. He's the first to admit it.

- Peter Jennings

Dedicated, George W. Bush, George W

George W. had a plan. He arranged to join the Air National Guard in Texas, which meant he would not be sent to Vietnam.

- Peter Jennings

Meant, Which, Guard, George W

Do we elect a man because of what he stands for, because of where he stands on the issues, because how he makes the nation feel?

- Peter Jennings

Nation, How, Stands, Elect

I think Chris Matthews is a very bright guy. I'd listen to him even if he didn't shout at people.

- Peter Jennings

Think, I Think, Very, Shout

Some people continue to pretend that anchor people are reporters.

- Peter Jennings

Some, Continue, Reporters, Anchor

The candidate out front on Labor Day has historically been the one who stayed ahead in November.

- Peter Jennings

Ahead, Been, November, Front

I have gone through a period of seeking to understand what or how strong or what are the connections I have to God.

- Peter Jennings

Through, How, Period, Connections

Always have a sense of humor about life - you'll need it - but always be courteous to boot.

- Peter Jennings

Sense Of Humor, Need, Always, Boot

I'm a little concerned about this notion everybody wants us to be objective.

- Peter Jennings

Everybody, Concerned, Notion, Objective

Every candidate goes into every debate hoping that they can own a particular moment.

- Peter Jennings

Debate, Goes, Hoping, Candidate

Whatever you may think of Mrs. Clinton as a character, I think she believes quite strongly in public service.

- Peter Jennings

Think, I Think, May, Mrs

I don't think anybody who looks carefully at us thinks that we are a left-wing or a right-wing organization.

- Peter Jennings

Think, Left-Wing, Carefully, Right-Wing

I don't think a reporter should give advice or make predictions.

- Peter Jennings

Advice, Think, Give, Reporter

Don't be confused that my interest in religion, faith, and spirituality is driven by any sense of faith or spirituality of my own.

- Peter Jennings

Confused, Interest, My Own, Driven

I'm a big fan of CNN. I watched it from the beginning.

- Peter Jennings

Big, Fan, CNN, Watched

I've always shied away from conventional wisdom, though I know the power of it.

- Peter Jennings

Always, Away, Though, Conventional

If you tailor your news viewing so that you only get one point of view, well of course you're going to think somebody else has got a different point of view, and it may be wrong.

- Peter Jennings

Think, News, May, Tailor

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