Broward College is hosting a speaker series, and this year’s final guest is investigative journalist and author Dan Rather.
Rather has been covering the news for some 70 years. He spent much of his career with CBS News. He shared his thoughts on politics, the media and current events with students on Wednesday.
Rather spoke with NBC 6 about a variety of topics, including: fake news, the death of Barbara Bush and the direction of democracy in America.
Rather also complimented the actions of the students from Stoneman Douglas High School after the mass shooting at their school.
“I am so proud of the students at Parkland. I’m proud of the whole community and the way it’s come together and held itself together in the wake of a horrible thing that happened. But with the students, I can’t say enough about them. This is what a representative democracy, a constitutional republic based on principals of freedom and liberty, this is what it’s supposed to be about. And for a while, including the present, the children lead the way,” said Rather.
Rather also spoke of first lady Barbara Bush, whose death was announced on Tuesday.
"Frankly, among our first ladies, it has been my honor to know quite a few," Rather said. "Nobody ever handled the chores of the first lady with more ladylike qualities than Barbara Bush."
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When it comes to politics, Rather shared his thoughts on the actions of President Trump in public and the president’s use of social media. He said Trump's actions and character could further divide Americans.
Rather also discussed the topic of fake news.
"Well, fake news has been with us forever. What’s different now is the president of the country has decided to make it something he could use for his own political benefit," Rather said. "It is a problem but, quite frankly, I don’t think it's as big of a problem as some who seek to exploit it would like to have us believe. I have such great confidence in Americans common sense."
Rather spoke Wednesday night at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. Broward College put together the event for their speaker series.
