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"I'd like to be remembered as a person who took a very serious view of what television is doing. I tried, by every process possible, to improve the coverage. I knew devices, knew processes, knew electronic systems for delivering the information to the public, and through the process of combining the materials, the personnel, and the process of broadcasting, made it possible for the public to have a more intense idea of what's happening in its society." 

"When people are doing something wrong, you're not going to ask them, 'will you tell us what you're doing wrong?' They won't tell you. You've got to find a way to get around and get to them when they're not watching."

"I think one reason that a lot of people get into journalism is the opportunity to feel that you lead a purposeful life, in some small way. And if you're lucky and God smiles, at least you'll have a few opportunities to feel that you're contributing to something that's larger than just yourself and your own self interests. I can think of no other craft or profession or practice or anything in which I would have had more joy."

"I got a letter from a college about my stuff. The letter said: 'What is the thing you're proudest of?' I wrote back: 'When the U.S. government pushed me, I pushed back.'  And the kid wrote back: 'That's why we love you!'"

"What drove me was not being a pioneer. What drove me was my competitive nature to go out and be the best at what I could be in covering the story."