Walter Cronkite has died, punctuating an era that ended 20 years ago. The era was marked by news anchors who embodied insight and integrity. Chet Huntley and David Brinkley, both deceased, were also gentlemen who told the news as it was.

Today, the news is less than it was, seemingly more influenced by the advertiser's needs, as determined by the mega-corporations that hire them. If it bleeds, it leads, because that gets more eyeballs. Nancy Grace and her graceless coverage of private disasters would not be on the air unless she got eyeballs. Those of us born during or before World War II know this.

The antithesis, the nadir to Cronkite's zenith, is Rush Limbaugh. He is paid tens of millions per year to spread hatred of anyone who is not "conservative."

How can we bring back the days of honest news?

WILLIAM M. HAWKINS, BLOOMINGTON