Morley Safer

Morley Safer was a renowned Canadian-American journalist and correspondent, best known for his work on the CBS News program 60 Minutes. He was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and began his career in journalism at a young age, working for various CBC affiliates, including CBC Radio and CBC Television. Safer's early work was influenced by notable journalists such as Edward R. Murrow and Walter Cronkite, and he went on to cover significant events, including the Vietnam War and the Cuban Missile Crisis, alongside other prominent correspondents like Dan Rather and Mike Wallace. His reporting often featured interviews with influential figures, including Fidel Castro and Nikita Khrushchev.

● Early Life and Education

Morley Safer was born to a Jewish family in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and grew up in a household that valued education and journalism. He attended University of Western Ontario, where he studied English literature and developed an interest in writing and reporting. After completing his studies, Safer began his career in journalism, working for CBC Radio and CBC Television, and covering events such as the Suez Crisis and the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, alongside other notable journalists like Peter Jennings and Tom Brokaw. His early work was also influenced by the BBC and its correspondents, including Alistair Cooke and John Simpson.

● Career

Safer's career in journalism spanned over five decades, during which he worked for CBS News and covered significant events, including the Vietnam War, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the Watergate scandal. He was a correspondent for 60 Minutes, where he worked alongside other notable journalists, including Mike Wallace, Dan Rather, and Lesley Stahl. Safer's reporting often featured interviews with influential figures, including Fidel Castro, Nikita Khrushchev, and Mikhail Gorbachev, and he covered events such as the Berlin Wall and the Fall of Saigon. His work also took him to various parts of the world, including Europe, Asia, and Latin America, where he reported on events such as the Spanish Civil War and the Iran-Contra affair.

● Personal Life

Morley Safer was married to Jane Safer, and the couple had one daughter, Sarah Safer. He was known for his love of art and music, and was an avid collector of paintings and sculptures. Safer was also a pilot and enjoyed flying in his free time, often taking trips to Paris and London. He was a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the International Press Institute, and was a frequent guest on The Charlie Rose Show and The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Safer's personal life was also influenced by his friendships with other notable journalists, including Walter Cronkite and Ted Koppel.

● Awards and Legacy

Throughout his career, Morley Safer won numerous awards for his reporting, including Peabody Awards, Emmy Awards, and Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Awards. He was also awarded the Lifetime Achievement Emmy Award and the George Polk Award for his contributions to journalism. Safer's legacy extends beyond his own reporting, as he inspired a generation of journalists, including Nicholas Kristof and Sarah Kendzior. His work continues to be studied by journalism students at Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and University of California, Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism, and his reporting has been featured in various documentaries, including The Vietnam War and The Cold War.

● Death and Tributes

Morley Safer passed away on May 19, 2016, at the age of 84, in New York City, New York, United States. His death was met with tributes from the journalism community, including statements from CBS News, NBC News, and ABC News. Safer's colleagues and friends, including Lesley Stahl and Steve Kroft, remembered him as a mentor and a pioneer in the field of journalism. His legacy continues to be celebrated through the Morley Safer Award for Outstanding Reporting, which is presented annually by the University of Southern California Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. Safer's work and legacy have also been recognized by the Library of Congress, the National Archives and Records Administration, and the Newseum.