The New Face of TV News

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The 1980s will surely be a time of explosive growth for television news, and not just because of the public's increasing appetite for information. Explains Westin: "With the advent of cable, discs and cassettes, people will be able to play on their screens what they want when they want. Sports and news will remain among the few things that have to be aired when they happen. Clearly, those are our targets for the future." All of this will lead to bigger profits for news divisions, and if Rather is right, better journalism as well. Says he: "We will have more people, better equipment, more overseas bureaus and better broadcasts."

Whether the current explosion of TV news turns into Rather's brave new world of broadcast journalism is as uncertain as the outcome of next week's Nielsens. Indeed, there is no guarantee even that Rather will be around to enjoy it. It took Walter Cronkite years to forge his almost mystical bond of trust with the viewing public. In the present competitive climate, Rather may not have the luxury of that much time. "If commitment and hard work will do it," says Rather with characteristic self-possession, "then I'll be a success." But in the TV news business, as in news itself, stories do not always have a happy ending. Rather's attempt to replace Cronkite will be worth watching in itself. It could be the sort of spectacle in which reality makes better TV than fiction. And that's the way it is.