Bernard Kalb facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bernard Kalb
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Kalb, c. 1985
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| Born | February 4, 1922 New York City, U.S.
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| Died | January 8, 2023 (aged 100) North Bethesda, Maryland, U.S.
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| Education | City College of New York, Harvard University |
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| Family | Marvin Kalb (brother) |
Bernard Kalb (born February 4, 1922 – died January 8, 2023) was an American journalist. He was also a moderator, a critic who wrote about the media, a lecturer, and an author. He spent many years telling important stories and sharing his views.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Bernard Kalb was born in New York City on February 4, 1922. His father was a Jewish immigrant from Poland, and his mother was a Ukrainian Jew.
He studied at the City College of New York, where he earned a Bachelor of Social Science degree. Later, he continued his education at Harvard University, getting a Master of Arts degree.
A Career in Journalism
Bernard Kalb worked as a journalist for over 30 years. He reported on world events for major news organizations like CBS News, NBC News, and The New York Times.
For almost half of his career, he lived and worked in other countries. He was based in places like Indonesia, Hong Kong, Paris, and Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City). This gave him a lot of experience reporting from different parts of the world.
Writing Books with His Brother
Bernard Kalb had a younger brother, Marvin Kalb, who was also a journalist. The two brothers often traveled with Henry Kissinger, who was a very important diplomat for the United States.
Together, Bernard and Marvin wrote a book about Kissinger called Kissinger. They also wrote a novel, which is a fictional story, called The Last Ambassador. This book was about the fall of Saigon in 1975.
Working for the U.S. Government
In 1984, Bernard Kalb was chosen for an important job. He became the Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs and the main spokesperson for the U.S. State Department. This department handles America's relationships with other countries.
It was a special moment because it was the first time a journalist who had covered the State Department was then named its spokesperson.
Standing Up for Truth
Kalb stayed in this government job for two years. In 1986, he decided to leave. He resigned to protest something called a "disinformation program." This program was reportedly used by the Reagan Administration against the leader of Libya, Col. Muammar al-Gaddafi.
Kalb explained his decision by saying that Americans, especially those who speak for the government or work as journalists, must choose. They can either stay silent or speak up. He believed that "faith in the word of America is the pulse beat of our democracy," meaning that trust in what America says is vital for the country.
Later Career
After leaving his government role, Kalb continued to travel. He gave lectures and led discussions. From 1993 to 1998, he was the first host and a regular panelist on a weekly CNN show called Reliable Sources. This show talks about how the news is reported.
Awards and Honors
Bernard Kalb won an award from the Overseas Press Club. He received this honor for a documentary he made in 1968 about the Vietcong, a group involved in the Vietnam War.
Personal Life
Bernard Kalb was married to Phyllis Bernstein, and they had four daughters. He lived a very long life, reaching the age of 100 in February 2022.
Sadly, on January 2, 2023, Kalb fell and was injured. He passed away six days later at his home in North Bethesda, Maryland. He was 100 years old.
See also
In Spanish: Bernard Kalb para niños
