"60 Minutes" commentator Andy Rooney said commercialization of the news is hurting journalism, as he accepted an award for excellence in the field Thursday.
ASU's school of journalism honored Rooney for his distinguished career, which has spanned 60 years, during a luncheon.
Rooney was the 2003 recipient of the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism and Mass Communication.
After receiving the award, Rooney said commercialism has lessened the quality of news reporting.
"All in all, I'd have to say things are not going well in the news business ... far too many corporate enterprises see it as nothing but a business," he said.
Although Rooney admitted he didn't know the solution to this problem, he suggested the news media be funded "so it doesn't have to worry about money."
"News is so important to our democracy, it shouldn't have to worry about commercialism," he said. "There are things that shouldn't have a profit motive in this country - and news is one of them."
Best known for his work titled "A Few Minutes with Andy Rooney" on the TV newsmagazine "60 Minutes," the CBS commentator is also a weekly columnist and author.
Rooney's longtime friend and the award's namesake, Walter Cronkite, presented him with the honor at the Arizona Biltmore Resort in Phoenix in front of about 1,000 people, including ASU faculty and students.
Cronkite, a former CBS Evening News anchorman, often is called "the most trusted man in America." He and Rooney have known each other since World War II, when they worked as journalists in the Army.
"I go to so many awards ceremonies for Walter ... it's about time I got something," Rooney said, smiling.
In his acceptance speech, Rooney talked about the role of the news media in society and how the public views journalists.
"Much of the public thinks reporters and editors should be cheerleaders," he said. "Bad news doesn't go with an American flag in the buttonhole."
Rooney briefly mentioned Joseph Russomanno, an ASU associate journalism professor who had said he would not attend the luncheon because of comments Rooney made about female sports journalists last October.
"I am sorry Professor Russomanno couldn't be here today," Rooney said at the beginning of his remarks. "I don't think he understood today was a free speech."
Journalism senior Nicole Almond said she thought Rooney was worthy of the award.
"I think out of any controversial newscaster, he deserves it," she said. "He's willing to take a stand on his opinions. I admire his courage."
Rooney is the 20th recipient of the award, which is presented by the Cronkite school.
ASU President Michael Crow introduced Cronkite during the luncheon and discussed the ideal aspects of the school, the three core values being integrity, independence and idealism.
"Walter represents all of these ... We want to build a school that, when all is said and done, stands for what Walter Cronkite represents," he said.
Reach the reporter at katherine.j.krzys@asu.edu.