Former CBS anchor Cronkite discusses past, present, future of news.(Knight Ridder Newspapers)

Byline: Chuck Barney

In the new book, "Anchoring America: The Changing Face of Network News," authors Jeff Alan and James L. Lane point out that legendary television journalist Walter Cronkite was the first person to have the term "anchor" attached to his name. Decades later, they write, Cronkite is still considered to be the "one true king."

Although Cronkite retired from his lead position on the "CBS Evening News" in 1981 at the age of 65, he continues to lead an active professional life, occasionally appearing as a special correspondent for CBS and roaming the country as a public speaker. Last year, he launched a weekly syndicated newspaper column. He also is in the "embryonic" stages of writing a follow-up to his 1996 best-selling autobiography, "A Reporter's Life."

Cronkite, 87, took a few moments to converse during a phone interview from his home in Manhattan.

Q: Obviously, the television news business has changed dramatically since you gave ...