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{{Infobox journalist| name = Tom Brokaw| image = [[Image:TomBrokaw1Tom Brokaw by David Shankbone.jpg‎ jpg|right250px]]|270pxcaption = Tom Brokaw in 2007 (Photo: David Shankbone)|birthname = Thomas John Brokaw | birth_date = {{birth date and age|mf=yes|1940|2|6}}| birth_place = [[Webster, South Dakota]], U.S.| age = 68| death_date = | death_place = | education = Degree in politics and journalism from University of South Dakota| occupation = Television journalist| alias = | gender = male| status = | title = | family = | spouse = Meredith Lynn Auld| children = Jennifer Jean<br />Andra Brooks<br />Sara Auld| relatives = | ethnic = | salary = | networth = | credits = ''[[Today (NBC program)|Today]]'Tom ' co-anchor<br />(Thomas John1976&ndash;1981) Brokaw<br />''[[NBC Nightly News]]' ' anchor<br />(born 19401982&ndash;2004) is a leading journalist and bestselling author. He is the former host of <br />''[[NBC Nightly News|NBC News]], a position he held for twenty-two years. He is also a four time best-selling author. As a journalist, Brokaw has covered all national political campaigns since 1966. He also has produced several award-winning documentaries. On June 29, 2008, Brokaw began serving as moderator of '' Special [[Correspondent]]<br />(2004&ndash;present)<br />''[[Meet the Press]] through the '' moderator<br />(2008 presidential election. &ndash;present)<refname=cfrorg>[{{cite news|title=Tom Brokaw - Council on Foreign Relations|url=http://www.msnbccfr.msn.comorg/idbios/253136496245/ Brokaw to moderate 'Meet the Press'], Meet the Press, MSNBCtom_brokaw.comhtml|accessdate=2008-02-07}}</ref> | agent = | URL = }}

==Personal Life ==In 1940, '''Thomas John "Tom " Brokaw was ''' (born into the family of Anthony BrokawFebruary 6, who was a construction worker in Webster1940) is an American television journalist and author, South Dakota. Tom was and currently the first born interim moderator of three sons. Brokaw[[NBC News|NBC]]'s mother worked as a clerk at a local post office. As a young child, Brokaw was fascinated with television; on election nights he'd stay awake until one A.M. to see '[[Meet the resultsPress]]''. In high school, he struggled with his studies; his guidance counselor told him to drop out and take a break, and Brokaw took the advice. After high school, Brokaw was admitted to is best known as the former anchor and managing editor of ''[[University of South DakotaNBC Nightly News]]''. Although he at first struggledHis last broadcast as anchor was on December 1, 2004, after which he soon got on track in his studies and earned a degree in was succeeded by [[Political ScienceBrian Williams]]in a carefully planned transition. In 1962, the latter part of Brokaw married Meredith Auld's tenure, ''NBC Nightly News'' became the daughter of a doctormost watched cable or broadcast news program in the United States. The couple has three children, JenniferBrokaw also hosted, Andreawrote, and Sarah<ref> Diane Negramoderated special programs on a wide range of topics. Throughout his career, The Museum he has been the recipient of Broadcasting Communications, “Tom Brokaw,” http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/B/htmlB/brokawtom/brokawtom.htm</ref> . He currently resides in [[New York]] numerous awards and [[Montana]]honors.

== Television Career ==Brokaw had a early obsession with politics and reporting, which soon became useful as he worked at a broadcasting station in Sioux City, serves on the [[IowaHoward University]]. In 1962 after gradating from college, Brokaw went to work at another broadcast news station, KNTV, in [[Omaha]], [[Nebraska]]. Here Brokaw was offered a salary School of $90 a week, but he refused the offer Communications Board of Visitors and asked for a salary of $100, which was accepted by on the station<ref>Interview with Today Show, 2004, http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6521696/</ref>. Brokaw later stated that one boards of trustees of his reasons for joining the news industry was his desire to travel. Brokaw's love for politics came into play in his new job, as he served as the "political junkie" for the network. As the [[civil rights movementUniversity of South Dakota]] began to take hold, another opportunity opened up for the young reporter: Brokaw moved to [[AtlantaNorton Simon Museum]], the [[GeorgiaAmerican Museum of Natural History]], to cover and the movement in 1965. During this time he was able to cover [[Martin Luther KingInternational Rescue Committee]]. As well as his television journalism, while serving he has written for periodicals and has authored books. He still works at NBC as news editor a Special Correspondent<ref name="cfrorg"/> and anchor of the 11:00 news has worked on various documentaries for the Georgia station, KMTV. Coincidentally,the future anchor of [[CBS NewsThe History Channel]], and [[Dan Rather]], was also covering the civil rights movement during this same period for [[CBSESPN]]since his retirement as anchor.

[[He is the only person in NBC]] became impressed with Brokaw's work at KMTV, and after only one year at his new job, Brokaw was off history to work for host all three major NBC as an anchor at their [[Los Angeles]] station News programs in 1966. Although he took the job after twice turning down the offer, Brokaw was not impressed with his new assignment; he had hoped to get a job as a correspondent in long career: ''[[Washington D.C.]] <ref>Interview with Today (NBC program)|The Today Show, 2004, http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6521696/</ref>. In [[California]], Brokaw had '' in the opportunity to cover [[Ronald Reagan]]'s campaign for [[governor]] of California. In 196870s, Brokaw was promoted to the position of ''NBCNightly News''s [[White House]] correspondent; here he covered in the [[Watergate]] investigation. During his time as White House correspondent he competed with [[Dan Rather]], who was also now a White House correspondent for CBS. In 1976 Brokaw covered the election primaries, national conventions'80s, '90s and election night in the race between [[Jimmy Carter]] '00s and as an interim replacement for [[Walter MondaleTim Russert]]. He also served as anchor of NBCon 's Saturday Night News. In 'Meet the showPress's 24th season, Brokaw became host of NBC's [[Today]] show, where he had the opportunity to cover Ronald Reagan’s campaign for president in 1980, and also had the opportunity to interview [[Mikhail Gorbachev]] in the [[Kremlin]], which earned Brokaw an Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award <ref>MSNBC, “Tom Brokaw,” http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4364148/</ref>2008.

==Biography=1981-2000==== Early life ===Brokaw later stated that the transition from the role of [[White House]] correspondent to Today show host was difficult, because Today was less of a 'hard news' platform<ref>Interview with Today Show, 2004, httpImage://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6521696/</ref>.Brokaw-gavinspoint. jpg|thumb|left|250px|Tom Brokaw said that (left) greeting the best part of 20,000th visitor to the job with Today was having the opportunity to travel. Brokaw's job at Today lasted until NBC began looking for a new anchor to work with [[Roger MuddGavins Point Dam]]in 1958. Brokaw was a tour guide there.NBC hoped to bring back the success that NBC CO-anchors, [[David Brinkley]] and Brokaw was born in [[Chet HuntleyWebster, South Dakota]], had brought with their top rated nightly news programthe son of Eugenia "Jean" (née Conley), [[NBC Nightly News| ''The Huntley-Brinkley Report'']]. ABC was interested who worked in Brokaw sales and as their new news anchor a post office clerk, and the two began to discuss options. Anthony Orville "Red" Brokaw was almost sure about working at ABC when NBC picked Brokaw as their new Nightly News co-anchor in 1982.<ref>[http://www.msnbc.msnfilmreference.com/idfilm/662806077/Tom-Brokaw.html Tom Brokaw Biography (1940-)]</ref> The co-broadcast did not work and NBC made Brokaw He was the sole anchor in 1983, the same year reporter [[Peter Jennings]] reclaimed the job as the anchor eldest of ABC's Nightly News. The year beforetheir three sons and was named after his maternal great-grandfather, Dan Rather had replaced [[Walter Cronkite]] as anchor of CBS NewsThomas Conley. In 1982 Brokaw His father was the only anchor to report from the a descendant of [[Berlin WallHuguenot]] when it came down. He also covered the [[Oklahoma City bombing]] in 1995, immigrants Bourgon and later Cathernine (le Fevre) Broucard and his mother was the first to broadcast from the site of the [[TWA Flight 800Irish American]] crash.<refname="STL02"> http://wwwMcGuire, John M.usd(November 6, 2002).edu/extraordinary/brokaw"From Yankton to Yankee Town". ''St. Louis Post-Dispatch'', p. E1.cfm</ref>His paternal great-grandfather, Richard P. Brokaw wrote his first book in 1998, which became a best seller. In addition to his role as anchor at Nightly News, Brokaw also created some reports for founded the town of [[60 MinutesBristol, South Dakota]] , and appeared in the Brokaw House, a nighttime news show with [[Katie Couric]] called small hotel and the first structure in Bristol.<ref name="ALWFH9">Brokaw, Tom. (2003). ''Now with Tom Brokaw A Long Way from Home: Growing Up in the American Heartland in the Forties and Katie CouricFifties'', p." 9. New York: Random House.</ref>

===2000-2007===Brokaw covered 's father was a construction foreman for the attacks on [[9-11United States Army Corps of Engineers|September 11th, 2001]] and the wars in [[Afghanistan]] and [[IraqArmy Corps of Engineers]]. He traveled to both Afghanistan, to witness worked at the [[NATO'sBlack Hills Ordnance Depot]] struggle against [[Al-Qaeda]], (BHOD) and later to helped construct [[IraqFort Randall Dam]] to witness ; his job often required the new elections after the fall of [[Saddam Hussein]]. In 2004, the 60th Anniversary of D-Day, he was the only anchor family to report from [[Normandy]]. He also did exclusive interviews with President [[George W. Bush]] and former French President [[Jacques Chirac]] resettle during this trip. While anchor of the networkBrokaw's main news showearly childhood.<ref name="MidwestToday">Jordan, Brokaw also wrote books documenting the so-called "Greatest GenerationLarry (February 1995)." He also helped in the production of documentaries covering a wide variety of areas. On December 1st, 2004, at the age of 64 and after more then 21 years as anchor, Brokaw stepped down from NBC Nightly News and was replaced by [[Brian Williams]]. NBC Nightly News remained a steady first for the majority of Brokaw's tenure as anchor with an average of ten million viewers<ref> http://www.tvmidtod.com/tom-highlights/brokaw/person/117017/biography.htmlphtml Tom Brokaw: A Heavyweight in a World of Lightweights]". ''Midwest Today''.</ref>. Brokaw continues work with NBC News, and plans on continuing to do so The Brokaws lived for short periods in Bristol, Igloo (the next ten years. He occasionally appears on Nightly newssmall residential community of the BHOD), MSNBCand [[Pickstown, and documentaries that he producesSouth Dakota|Pickstown]], before settling in [[Yankton, South Dakota|Yankton]], where Brokaw attended high school. <ref name="STL02" /><ref name="MidwestToday" />

===2008===In his first Sunday as interim hostAs a [[high school]] student attending Yankton Senior High School, Tom Brokaw suggested he would lean strongly to the left in 2008.<ref>[http://newsbusters.org/blogsname="Yahoo TV"/tim-graham/2008/07/01/brokaw-brings-strong-liberal-tilt-meet-press > Brokaw Brings Strong Liberal Tilt was governor of South Dakota [[American Legion]] [[Boys State]], and in that capacity he accompanied then South Dakota Governor [[Joe Foss]] to 'Meet The Press'New York City for a joint appearance on a TV [[game show]]. It was to be the beginning of a long relationship with Foss, Tim Graham, ''whom Brokaw would later feature in his book about World War II [[NewsBustersveterans]], July 1, 2008</ref> ''The Greatest Generation''.

==Books==Tom Brokaw's first bookdropped out of the [[University of Iowa]], ''The Greatest Generation'', was released where he says he majored in 1998, "beer and it instantly became a best seller. The 432co-page book documented the generation of people that lived through the eds" before receiving his [[depressionB.A.]] and the degree in [[Second World WarPolitical Science]]. Brokaw was inspired to write from the book after he went to cover the fiftieth anniversary [[University of the invasion of Normandy for NBC. HereSouth Dakota]] in [[Vermillion, while talking to veterans, and walking the beach he had a South Dakota|Vermillion]] in 1964.<ref name="life changing experience,Yahoo TV" as he stated later<ref> Random House Books, {{cite web|title=Tom Brokaw, - Biography|url=http://wwwtv.randomhouseyahoo.com/features/tom-brokaw/books_greatest.htmlcontributor/213912/bio|publisher=Yahoo! TV|accessdate=2008-08-19}}</ref>. Brokaw was so encouraged by the letter he received regarding his first book that he decided to right a sequel. In 1999 he began work on his next best seller, ''The Greatest Generation Speaks''. This book included letter written by people living in the period, including, eyewitness account of the dropping of the atomic bomb and others. Brokaw released his third book, ''An Album of Memories'', in 2001. This trilogy was also a book filled with letters documenting the "the greatest generation society has ever produced,” as he stated. His last book, ''A Long Way from Home'', documented his own life and five-decade career as a broadcast journalist. ''A Long Way from Home'', was Brokaw's fourth straight bestselling book.

==Film==In addition He has been married to Brokaw's work for NBC as a newscaster, he has also created documentaries series for the organization. In 1989, Brokaw was awarded his first [[Peabody AwardMeredith Lynn Auld]] for ''To Be An American'', (a documentary about the history of the American people. Brokaw's work in Georgia during the civil rights movement came in handy when in 1997 he produced ''Why Can't We Live Together'', a documentary about racial separation in America's suburbs. He won an Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award for Excellence in Broadcast Journalism for the documentary. After September 11, 2001, Brokaw began work on another documentary: in 2003 he released, ''America Remembers: 9/11 Air Traffic Controllers''. This documentary, which later won an Emmy for Outstanding Interview, consisted of interviews that Brokaw had done with twenty air traffic controllers who dealt with the four hijacked planes. Brokaw examined former [[Affirmative Action]] in a documentary he released in 2004, ''Tom Brokaw Reports: A Question of Fairness''. This documentary won numerous awards including the Peabody award. In 2005, after giving up his post as anchor, Brokaw returned to prime time television with an hour-long documentary, ''Tom Brokaw Reports: The Long War''. This documentary examined the United States war against terrorism after the September 11th attacks. In the documentaries creation Brokaw traveled the world – from [[Afghanistan]], [[Pakistan]], [[Iran]], [[Saudi Arabia]], [[FranceMiss South Dakota]] and [[Washington Dauthor) since 1962.C.]] - to interview intelligence expertsThey have three daughters, world leaders and those personally affected by the attacks. Brokaw again was able to use his past experience as a journalist in his creation of another documentaryJennifer Jean, ''The Secret Man: The Story of Watergate's Deep Throat'', in September 2005. In December 2005, Brokaw received praise for his new hour long documentary, ''Tom Brokaw Reports: To War Andrea Brooks and Back'', which documented a wounded soldiers arrival back home<ref>MSNBC, “The War and Back, http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10402820/</ref>Sara Auld.

==Criticism=Career===Some media newsroom insiders have questioned Tom Brokaw's objectivity, claiming that some of his past reporting includes a [[liberal]] slant. Much of the perceived bias in the mainstream media was blamed on Brokaw because of the influence he had with NBC, which led in network news ratings. [[Bernard Goldberg]], a employee for [[CBS News]] for thirty years, stated that all of the main networks, including NBC, showed significant bias against conservatives<ref> PBS, “Skewing the News”,http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/media/jan-june02/bias_1-24.html</ref>. Goldberg recorded his findings in a book entitled, “Bias: A CBS Insider Exposes How the Media Distorts the News.” In response to critics, Brokaw stated the he does not believe that the news media was biased <ref>Colombia Journalism Review, 2004, http://cjrarchives.org/issues/2004/1/QA-Brokaw.asp</ref>. {{proseline}}

===Clinton Administration=1960s==== During a June 1996 Press Club MeetingHis television career began at [[KTIV]] in [[Sioux City, Brokaw said that the media were being tough on President ClintonIowa]], whose administration was being investigated for allegedly leaking secret grand jury information to the followed by a three-year stint at [[New York TimesKMTV]]in [[Omaha, Nebraska]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cnnmuseum.comtv/ALLPOLITICSarchives/storiesetv/1999B/02htmlB/01brokawtom/clintonbrokawtom.starr/</ref>. Brokaw’s claim was shown to be false as the network surprisingly ignored the investigation. Critics claim that htm |title=Brokaw was trying to protect the president from bad publicity. During the 1994 election, Brokaw claimed that the Republicans' Contract with America, “is long on promises, but short on sound premisesTom |publisher=Museum." When the Republicans came to power in Congress, Brokaw was extremely tough in an interview with new House leader, [[Newt Gingrich]]. He later claimed that the media was getting too mixed up with conservative members of congress by paying attention to stories like “Whitewater and Paula Jones.”<ref>http://www.mediaresearch.org/mainsearch/search.htmltv |date= |accessdate=2008-11-04}}</ref>

===Iraq War===In January 1965, he became an editor of 2007 Brokaw attacked the United States actions late-evening news on [[WSB-TV]] in Iraq[[Atlanta, stating, “And a lot of families, and I think a lot of people who are raising their hands to join the armed services are wondering 'I'm giving my life for that?Georgia]].'”<ref>Mark Finkelstein, The following year he joined [[NBC]] News busters ,2007, http://newsbusters.org/node/9909</ref> In an interview, Brokaw claimed that the White House is, “in its own bunker at the moment."<ref> “Meredith Vieira and Tom Brokaw Question Bush's 'Crediblity'”,2007, http://newsbusters.org/taxonomy/term/192</ref> He said that the world is saying to the United States, “you got yourself into it, you find a way out of it.” ."<ref> “Meredith Vieira and Tom Brokaw Question Bush's 'Crediblity'”,2007, http://newsbusters.org/taxonomy/term/192</ref> Brokaw also challenged President Bush credibility on Iraq, and said that no one was suggesting of cutting and running reporting from Iraq, despite [[Bill MurthaCalifornia]]’s and anchoring the 11 p.m. news for [[Nancy PelosiKNBC|KNBC-TV]]’s comments to the contrary<ref>http://newsbusters.org/node/3852</ref>. in [[News BusterLos Angeles, California|Los Angeles]], a media watchdog organization, wrote that, “The former Nightly News anchor seems to align himself with the "Bush lied, people died" crowd.”<ref> Geoffrey” 2007, http://newsbusters.org/taxonomy/term/192</ref>

===Abu Ghraib Prison Abuse=1970s====After From 1973-1976 he was an NBC News [[White House]] correspondent, covering the abuses [[Watergate scandal]]. During this time, he was asked by the some members higher-rated [[CBS News]] to join it after CBS's management had decided its reporter, [[Dan Rather]], was too hostile to then-President Richard Nixon. The switch never happened after word of it was leaked to the military press. In 1976, Brokaw became NBC News' ''[[Today (NBC program)|Today Show]]'' host. He was also the floor reporter for the two major parties' presidential nominating conventions.  ====1980s====[[Image:BrokawLomaPrietaNakataA.jpg|thumb|right|Brokaw preparing his script for a live broadcast from the darkened ruins of San Francisco's Marina District in the aftermath of the [[1989 Loma Prieta earthquake]].]] In 1982, Brokaw began co-anchoring ''NBC Nightly News'', along with co-anchor [[Roger Mudd]]. When Mudd went on to host ''[[Meet the Press]]'' and ''American Almanac'', a weekly newsmagazine, Brokaw became the sole anchor of the ''NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw'' on September 5, 1983. In 1987, he wrote ''[[The Arms, the Men, the Money]]'', investigating [[Contras|Contra]] rebels. That same year he conducted the first one-on-one American TV interview with [[Mikhail Gorbachev]], and won an [[Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award]]. He also moderated the debates among all declared presidential candidates of both the Republican and Democratic parties. In 1989, he reported the collapse of the [[Berlin Wall]]. Also in January 1989, he was the first person ever to do a ''[[The More You Know]]'' [[public service announcement]]. ====1990s====From 1992-93 he anchored ''[[The Brokaw Report]]'' series of [[prime-time]] "critical issues" specials. He was also host, with [[Katie Couric]], of a prime-time [[newsmagazine]] called ''[[Now with Tom Brokaw and Katie Couric|Now]]''. The show aired from 1993-94, and was folded into the multi-night ''Dateline NBC'' program. In 1995, Brokaw reported from the site of the [[Oklahoma City bombing]]. The following year he reported from the scene of the [[TWA flight 800]] tragedy.  In 1997, he interviewed [[Charlie Trie]] and [[Johnny Chung]], key figures in the [[1996 United States campaign finance controversy|campaign finance abuse scandal]]. In 1999, he conducted the first North American TV interview with [[Prime Minister of Russia|Russian Prime Minister]] [[Yevgeny Primakov]], in Moscow. He also traveled to [[Tirana]], [[Albania]] during [[NATO]] airstrikes in [[Federal Republic of Yugoslavia|Yugoslavia]]. ====2000s====[[Image:Vladimir Putin with Tom Brokaw-1.jpg|thumb|right|Brokaw with [[Vladimir Putin]] before an interview on 2 June 2000.]]In 2000, he conducted the first American TV interview with [[President of Russia|Russian President]] [[Vladimir Putin]], in Moscow. He was also Master of Ceremonies at the opening of the [[Abu GhraibNational D-Day Museum]] prison in [[IraqNew Orleans, Louisiana]]. Brokaw was Grand Marshall for the 112th [[Tournament of Roses]] parade in 2001. On [[September 11, 2001]], Brokaw joined [[Katie Couric]] and [[Matt Lauer]] around 9:30 a.m., following the live attack on the South Tower of the [[World Trade Center]], and continued to anchor all day, until after midnight, when [[MSNBC]] took over coverage. During the early stages of the disaster, Brokaw famously responded to Lauer's speculations over loss of life after the second tower fell by saying, "This is war. This is a declaration and execution of an attack on the United States."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/tv/20010912owentv4p4.asp |title=Tuned In: This was criticized reality TV at its most horrific |publisher=Post-gazette.com |date= |accessdate=2008-11-04}}</ref> He also asked "Are we at war?" and exclaimed "War! War!" in the style of a sports chant.<ref> Brokaw, Tom (September 11, 2001) "NBC Live News Feed". NBC.</ref> Throughout the day, Brokaw was joined by [[David Bloom]], [[Jim Miklaszewski]] from the Pentagon, author [[Tom Clancy]], Senator [[John McCain]], and NBC Aviation expert [[Robert Hager]] at different points in the day, just to name a few. Brokaw returned for unbalanced the following two days and expanded the ''NBC Nightly News'' to midnight, as well. Along with his contemporaries, [[Peter Jennings]] of [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] and [[Dan Rather]] of CBS, the three anchors provided thorough and blanket coverage of the situationattacks.  In late September 2001, a letter containing [[anthrax]] was addressed to him as part of the [[2001 anthrax attacks]]. Brokaw wasn't harmed, but two NBC News employees were infected. In 2002, Brokaw announced his intention to go under retirement as anchor of the ''NBC Nightly News reported heavily '' effective after the [[U.S. presidential election, 2004|2004 Presidential election]]. NBC then announced that [[Brian Williams]] would be Brokaw's successor as the anchor of ''NBC Nightly News'' on December 2, 2004. NBC also announced that Brokaw will remain with [[NBC News]] in a part-time capacity through 2014 serving as an analyst as well as anchoring and producing documentary programs. By the abuse at Abu Ghraibend of his time as ''Nightly News'' anchor, while failing Brokaw was regarded as the most popular news personality in the United States. His program was consistently rated the highest evening news show, topping Dan Rather and Peter Jennings in the evening news ratings. This may explain why Brokaw was the only one of the three evening news anchors to mention have a sit-down interview with President [[George W. Bush]]. Along with the recentlytwo other pillars of the so-discovered abuses carried out by former dictator called "Big Three" — Peter Jennings (ABC) and Dan Rather (CBS) — Brokaw helped usher in the era of the TV [[Saddam Husseinnews anchor]]as lavishly compensated, globe-trotting star in the 1980s. Between 2003 The magnitude of a news event could be measured by whether Brokaw and his counterparts on the other two networks showed up on the scene. Brokaw's retirement in December 2004, followed by Rather's ouster from the ''[[CBS Evening News]]'' in March 2005, and finally Jennings's death in August 2005, brought that era to a close. He closed his final ''Nightly News showed 58 prison abuse stories'' broadcast in front of 15.7 million viewers on NBC by saying: :"That's ''Nightly News'' for this Wednesday night. I'm Tom Brokaw. You'll see Brian Williams tomorrow night; I'll see you along the way." [[Image:TomBrokaw.jpg|thumb|Brokaw in 2006 speaking about the [[attack on Pearl Harbor]].]] ====Ratings====By the time American viewers became familiar with Tom Brokaw and his ''NBC Nightly News'' the program was consistently ranked #1, while only broadcasting five reports [[Peter Jennings]] and ''[[World News with Charles Gibson|World News Tonight]]'' was ranked #2, [[Dan Rather]] and the ''[[CBS News|CBS Evening News]]'' was ranked #3. Earlier in his career, CBS under [[Walter Cronkite|Cronkite]] and Rather was #1 in the early and mid 1980s, Jennings was #1 in the late 1980s and mid 1990s, and Brokaw took over as America's most watched anchor in the late 1990s, holding the spot until his retirement in 2004. ====Present=========2006=====In 2006, Tom Brokaw became the second journalist to receive the prestigious [[Sylvanus Thayer Award]] by the [[USMA|United States Military Academy]] at West Point. The first one was legendary news anchor man [[Walter Cronkite]] in 1997. He is presently on Saddam’s the board of directors of the [[Council on Foreign Relations]], the [[Committee to Protect Journalists]], and the [[International Rescue Committee]]. Some political independents, Libertarians, Reform party members and Green Party members have publicly urged Tom Brokaw to run as their candidate for national office: U.S. Senate, or President. Brokaw recentlycompleted a documentary on global warming for the Discovery Channel entitled ''[[Global Warming: What You Need to Know, with Tom Brokaw]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cutco2.org/2006/07/tom-brokaw-gets-involved.html |title=Cut CO2 - You Can Help Reduce Carbon Dioxide Emissions |publisher=Cutco2.org |date=Sunday, July 09, 2006 |accessdate=2008-11-discovered mass graves04}}</ref>Media Research Center On November 19, 2006, Brokaw delivered the keynote speech at the annual Dedication Day Ceremony at the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, honoring those who fought and died in the American Civil War.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mrcthelincolnforum.org/realitychecksymposiumSchedule06.html |title=The Lincoln Forum - Symposium Information |publisher=Thelincolnforum.org |date= |accessdate=2008-11-04}}</2004ref> =====2007=====On January 2, 2007, Brokaw delivered one of the eulogies during the [[Death and state funeral of Gerald Ford|state funeral of former President Gerald R. Ford]]. On May 28, 2007, Brokaw appeared on the History Channel special, ''Star Wars: The Legacy Revealed'', describing Darth Vader's attire. Brokaw was the host for the rollout of the [[Boeing 787]] airplane on July 8, 2007. Brokaw hosted and conducted interviews for the History Channel's ''[[1968 with Tom Brokaw]]'', a 2-hour documentary that first aired on December 9, 2007 which examined one of the most tumultuous years in American history. =====2008=====Brokaw hosted and conducted interviews for the History Channel's 2-hour program entitled ''King'' that aired on April 4, 2008, the 40th anniversary of the assassination of civil rights leader [[Martin Luther King, Jr]]. Brokaw is currently NBC News Special Correspondent, providing election analysis along with [[Brian Williams]], [[Chris Matthews]], and [[Keith Olbermann]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http:/fax20040512/insidecable.aspblogsome.com/?s=brokaw |title=Inside Cable News |publisher=Insidecable.blogsome.com |date= |accessdate=2008-11-04}}</ref> On June 13, 2008, Brokaw broke into NBC's second round coverage of the U.S. open golf tournament at 3:39 p.m. EDT and publicly announced the death of his longtime friend and colleague, NBC News Washington Bureau Chief and ''Meet the Press'' moderator [[Tim Russert]]. The NBC NEWS special report announcing Russert's death was also broadcasted on [[CNBC]], and [[MSNBC]]. Later that night, he hosted a one-hour special program on NBC memorializing Russert and hosted the following Sunday's episode of ''[[Meet the Press]]'' remembering Tim Russert. ===Meet the Press===On June 22, 2008, guest moderator Brian Williams announced at the end of that day's show that Tom Brokaw will replace [[Tim Russert]], on an interim basis, as host of ''[[Meet the Press]]'', chosen to serve as moderator until the end of the 2008 Presidential Campaign. NBC has not discussed any potential permanent replacements for Russert; Brokaw has stated that he has no intention of filling the position permanently, stating that "the plan is for me to be in place until they can find somebody who can take it over on a permanent basis."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tv.msn.com/tv/article.aspx/?news=319902&affid=100055& |title=NBC: Brokaw to host 'Meet the Press' through Nov. - MSN TV News |publisher=Tv.msn.com |date= |accessdate=2008-11-04}}</ref> Rumored candidates for the job include [[Chuck Todd]], [[David Gregory (journalist)|David Gregory]], [[Andrea Mitchell]], [[Chris Matthews]], and [[Gwen Ifill]]. ===Presidential debate===Brokaw hosted the second presidential debate between [[Barack Obama]] and [[John McCain]] October 7, 2008 at [[Belmont University]]'s Curb Event Center in [[Nashville, Tennessee]]. The debate had a town-hall meeting format. ===Career timeline===*1965: Anchor of [[WSB-TV]] late-evening news<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web|url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4364148/ |title=Tom Brokaw - Nightly News with Brian Williams - MSNBC.com |publisher=Msnbc.msn.com |date=June 27, 2008 |accessdate=2008-11-04}}</ref>*1966&ndash;1972: [[NBC News]] West Coast correspondent and [[KNBC]] anchor<ref name="autogenerated1" />*1973&ndash;1976: [[White House]] correspondent<ref name="autogenerated1" />*1976&ndash;1981: ''[[Today (NBC program)|Today Show]]'' host<ref name="autogenerated1" />*1982&ndash;1983: ''[[NBC Nightly News]]'' co-anchor<ref name="autogenerated1" />*1983&ndash;2004: ''NBC Nightly News'' anchor<ref name="autogenerated1" />*2004&ndash;present: Special Correspondent for [[NBC News]]<ref name="autogenerated1" />*2008&ndash;present: ''[[Meet the Press]]'' moderator (interim)<ref name="autogenerated1" /> ==Books==[[Image:Tom Brokaw at Book Signing 2007.JPG|thumb|Brokaw signing a book in Seattle in 2007]]*1998 ''[[The Greatest Generation]]'' ISBN 0-375-50202-5 (hardback) ISBN 0-385-33462-1 (paperback) Depicts the Americans who came of age during the Great Depression and fought World War II.*1999 ''The Greatest Generation Speaks'' ISBN 0-375-50394-3 (hardback) ISBN 0-385-33538-5 (paperback)*2001 ''An Album of Memories'' ISBN 0-375-50581-4 (hardback) ISBN 0-375-76041-5 (paperback)*2002 ''A Long Way from Home: Growing Up in the American Heartland'' ISBN 0-375-50763-9 (hardback) ISBN 0-375-75935-2 (paperback)*2006 ''Galen Rowell: A Retrospective'' ISBN 1-57805-115-0 (hardback) Foreword by Tom Brokaw*2007 ''Boom!: Voices of the Sixties Personal Reflections on the '60s and Today'' ISBN 1-40006-457-0 (hardback) ==Awards=====Public and industry awards===*[[Peabody Award]] for a report called ''To Be An American'' *[[Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award]]s for excellence in broadcast journalism for ''Dateline NBC'' documentary special, ''Why Can't We Live Together'' on hidden realities of racial separation in suburban America*Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award for excellence in broadcast journalism for his interview with Mikhail Gorbachev*seven [[Emmy Award]]s including one for ''China in Crisis'' special report*1990 National Headliner Award from the National Conference of Christians and Jews for advancing the understanding of religion, race and ethnicity. *1993 Emmy award for reporting on floods in the Midwest *1995 Dennis Kauff Memorial Award for Lifetime Achievement in Journalism from [[Boston University]]*1995 Lowell Thomas Award from [[Marist College]]. *1997 [[University of Missouri–Columbia]] School of Journalism Honor Medal for Distinguished Service in Journalism *1997 inducted into the [[Television Academy Hall of Fame]]*1998 [[Fred Friendly]] First Amendment Award, a tribute to those "individuals whose broadcast career reflects a consistent devotion to freedom of speech and the principles embodied in the First Amendment." *1998 [[American Legion]] award for distinguished public service in the field of communication. *1998 Citizens' Scholarship Foundation of America's President's Award recognizing "devotion to helping young people through scholarships." *1999 Congressional Medal of Honor Society's ''"Tex" McCrary Excellence in Journalism Award'' *1999 Emmy award for international coverage of the [[Kosovo]] conflict*2005 Elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences*2005 Four Freedoms Medal: Freedom of Speech And Expression*2006 [[Washington State University]] [[Edward R. Murrow]] School of Communications Lifetime Achievement in Broadcasting Award*2006 [[Sylvanus Thayer Award]]: United States Military Academy at West Point*2006 Walter Cronkite Award for Journalism Excellence at Arizona State University*2007 Horatio Alger Award for overcoming adversity to achieve success through the American free enterprise system from the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans Inc. === Honorary degrees ===*[[University of Notre Dame]]*[[California Institute of Technology]]*[[University of South Dakota]]*[[Saint Anselm College]] in [[Manchester, New Hampshire]]*[[Emory University]]*[[Duke University]]*[[Washington University in St. Louis]]*[[Boston College]]*[[Northwestern University]]*[[University of Pennsylvania]]*[[Fairfield University]]*[[Brandeis University]]*[[Dartmouth College]]*[[Florida State University]]*[[Providence College]]*[[Skidmore College]]*[[Johns Hopkins University]]

==External Linkslinks=={{Commonscat}}*[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4364148/ Official Biography] from NBC News*[http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/B/htmlB/brokawtom/brokawtom.htm The Biography] from the [[Museum of Broadcast Communications]]*[http://www.nndb.com/people/309/000022243/ Tom Brokaw bio at NNDB.com]*{{imdb name|id=0111232|name=Tom Brokaw}}*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abnHcoK6vRU YouTube clip of Brokaw anchoring ''NBC Nightly News'' in place of John Chancellor, August 29, 1978]*[http://cetl.edtech.csulb.edu/tgg/ '''Greatest Generation'''] online ebook read by Tom Brokaw (2 chapters)*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsDVzNOeu48 Tom Brokaw's commencement speech at Stanford University video], [http://news-service.stanford.edu/news/2006/june21/broktext-062106.html transcript]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Brokaws-start}}{{s-media}}{{s-bef|before=[[Barbara Walters]] and [[Jim Hartz]]}}{{s-ttl|title=[[Today (NBC program)|''Today'' Co-Anchor]] with [[Jane Pauley]]|years=October 11, Tom1976 &ndash; January 1, 1982}}{{s-aft|after=[[Jane Pauley]] and [[Bryant Gumbel]]}}{{s-bef|before=[[John Chancellor]]}}{{s-ttl|title=[[NBC Nightly News|''NBC Nightly News'' Anchor]]|years=April 5, 1982 - December 1, 2004<br /><small>(Co-Anchor with [[Roger Mudd]] until September 5, 1983)}}{{s-aft|after=[[Brian Williams]]}}{{s-bef|before=[[Tim Russert]]}}{{s-ttl|title=[[Meet the Press|''Meet the Press'' Moderator]]|years=June 29, 2008 &ndash; present}}{{s-inc}}{{s-end}}

{{TemplateTodayShowAnchors}}{{NBCEveningNewsAnchors}} <!-- Metadata:NBC Nightly News Anchorssee [[Wikipedia:Persondata]] --> {{Persondata|NAME= Brokaw, Tom|ALTERNATIVE NAMES= Brokaw, Thomas John (full name)|SHORT DESCRIPTION= Television journalist|DATE OF BIRTH= 1940-2-6|PLACE OF BIRTH= [[Webster, South Dakota]], U.S.|DATE OF DEATH= |PLACE OF DEATH= }}{{DEFAULTSORT:Brokaw, Tom}}[[Category:1940 births]][[Category:American broadcast news analysts]][[Category:American television news anchors]][[Category:American television reporters and correspondents]][[Category:Irish-Americans]][[Category:Irish-American broadcasters]][[Category:Irish-American writers]][[Category:Living people]][[Category:Los Angeles television anchors]][[Category:NBC News]][[Category:People from South Dakota]][[Category:University of South Dakota alumni]][[Category:Members of Phi Beta Kappa Society]]

[[categoryde:BroadcastersTom Brokaw]][[id:Tom Brokaw]][[simple:Tom Brokaw]]