# Tom Brokaw

> American broadcast journalist and author (born 1940)

**Wikidata**: [Q919527](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q919527)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Brokaw)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/tom-brokaw

## Summary
Tom Brokaw is an American broadcast journalist, author, and opinion journalist born on February 6, 1940, who served as a prominent news presenter and program host. He is best known for his long tenure anchoring major news programs and for his literary works, earning recognition as a leading voice in American media. His career, spanning from 1960 to 2021, has been marked by numerous prestigious awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Legion of Honour.

## Biography
- **Born:** February 6, 1940
- **Nationality:** United States
- **Education:** University of South Dakota (undergraduate); University of Iowa (graduate studies)
- **Known for:** Broadcast journalism, authorship, and opinion journalism
- **Employer(s):** NBC News (implied by role as news presenter/host), various media outlets (specific names not listed in source beyond general roles)
- **Field(s):** Journalism, Broadcasting, Writing, Opinion Journalism

## Contributions
Tom Brokaw's primary contributions lie in the fields of broadcast journalism and literature. As a news presenter and program host, he collected, wrote, and distributed news and information to a national audience for decades. He also worked as an opinion journalist, producing literary works and communicating ideas through written words without claiming strict objectivity. His body of work includes significant reporting and authorship that shaped public discourse, though specific book titles or program names are not detailed in the provided source material. His career spanned over 60 years, from 1960 to 2021, during which he influenced the landscape of American news media.

## FAQs
**What are Tom Brokaw's primary professional roles?**
Tom Brokaw is a multifaceted media figure who has worked as a broadcast journalist, news presenter, program host, and author. He is also recognized as an opinion journalist, a role where he communicates ideas and literary works without adhering to strict claims of objectivity.

**Which institutions is Tom Brokaw affiliated with academically?**
He received his education from the University of South Dakota and the University of Iowa. The University of South Dakota is a public research university in Vermillion, while the University of Iowa is a public research university in Iowa City known for its high research activity.

**What major awards has Tom Brokaw received?**
His accolades include the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States, and the Legion of Honour, France's highest order of merit. He has also been honored with the Freedom Award, The Nichols-Chancellor's Medal, the Horatio Alger Award, the Edward R. Murrow Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism.

**What is the duration of Tom Brokaw's professional career?**
His work period in the public eye began in 1960 and concluded in 2021, representing a career of over six decades in journalism and authorship.

## Why They Matter
Tom Brokaw matters as a defining figure in American broadcast journalism who helped shape the nation's understanding of major historical events through his reporting and commentary. His transition from a news presenter to an opinion journalist and author allowed him to influence public discourse beyond the constraints of traditional objective reporting. The receipt of the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Legion of Honour underscores his impact not only domestically but also on an international stage, marking him as a significant cultural and political figure. His long-standing career provided a consistent voice in American media, influencing generations of journalists and the public's engagement with news.

## Notable For
- **Presidential Medal of Freedom:** Recipient of the joint-highest civilian award of the United States.
- **Legion of Honour:** Recipient of the highest French order of merit.
- **Career Longevity:** Active professional career spanning from 1960 to 2021.
- **Diverse Roles:** Worked as a journalist, news presenter, writer, opinion journalist, and program host.
- **Educational Background:** Educated at the University of South Dakota and the University of Iowa.
- **Multiple Journalism Awards:** Recipient of the Edward R. Murrow Lifetime Achievement Award and the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism.
- **Authorship:** Recognized as a writer who produces literary works and communicates ideas.
- **Opinion Journalism:** Known for making no claim of objectivity in his journalistic output.
- **Freedom Award:** Recipient of this award established in 1957.
- **Horatio Alger Award:** Honored by the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Tom Brokaw was born on February 6, 1940, in the United States. His academic journey included studies at the University of South Dakota, a public research university located in Vermillion, South Dakota, which was founded in 1862. He also attended the University of Iowa, a public research university in Iowa City, established in 1847. The University of Iowa is noted for its very high research activity and its history of admitting both men and women since 1855.

### Professional Career and Roles
Brokaw's professional life was defined by his work in journalism and broadcasting. He served as a journalist, a role involving the collection, writing, and distribution of news and information. He also functioned as a news presenter, delivering news during programs, and as a program host for radio or television. Additionally, he worked as an opinion journalist, a specific type of journalism that does not claim objectivity, and as a writer who used written words to communicate ideas and produce literary works. His career began in 1960 and continued until 2021.

### Awards and Recognition
Throughout his career, Brokaw received numerous prestigious awards. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States, which was established in 1963. He also received the Legion of Honour, the highest French order of merit, founded in 1802. Other significant recognitions include the Freedom Award (inception 1957), The Nichols-Chancellor's Medal, the Horatio Alger Award, the Edward R. Murrow Lifetime Achievement Award (inception 1997), and the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism (inception 1984). He also holds an honorary doctorate from Hofstra University.

### Affiliations and Memberships
Brokaw is a member of several organizations, including the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, an honorary society and policy research center founded in 1780. His professional identity is linked to the fields of journalism, broadcasting, and writing. He is a citizen of the United States and has been associated with the University of South Dakota and the University of Iowa as an alumnus.

### Digital and Media Presence
His professional footprint includes various digital identifiers and social media handles, such as Twitter (@tombrokaw) and Instagram (@tombrokawbooks). He is listed in numerous databases with unique identifiers, including ISNI (0000000383070508), VIAF (267537387), and GND (1232394823). His work is cataloged under the title "Tom Brokaw" on Wikipedia and other platforms, with a significant number of sitelinks indicating his widespread recognition and documentation.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. Geni.com
3. BnF authorities
4. Czech National Authority Database
5. [Source](https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R47639)
6. [Source](https://murrow.wsu.edu/symposium/the-edward-r-murrow-achievement-award/)
7. [Source](https://isd.georgetown.edu/programs/awards-lectures/weintal-prize/)
8. [Source](https://cronkite.asu.edu/community/walter-cronkite-award-past-recipients/)
9. CiNii Research
10. MusicBrainz
11. SNAC
12. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
13. Discogs
14. GeneaStar
15. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
16. Google Knowledge Graph
17. The Movie Database