Nieman’s 80th Anniversary Reunion Weekend

Alastair Moock:  Good evening. As the only non-Neiman fellow here tonight, I’m both honored and confused to be here. Thank you for having me.

Most Neimans spend the December, January holiday break of their fellowship year visiting friends and family. Or, having gotten a taste of New England winter, relaxing in warmer climates.

William Worthy—a member of the class of 1957—spent his break reporting for CBS in China, in defiance of State Department travel restrictions. During his long and distinguished career, Worthy made a habit of challenging U.S. government restrictions on the press.

In the early 1980s, Worthy and CBS colleagues returned from Iran with Iranian copies of classified CIA documents. The FBI and CIA confiscated their baggage, but Worthy and his co-workers sued the government agencies and they won.

The Washington Post published a five-part series based on the documents. In recognition of William Worthy’s commitments to reporting without fear or favor, the Neiman class of 2008 presented him with the Louis Lyons Award for Conscience and Integrity in Journalism.

Tomorrow you will hear from Neiman fellow and former president of Columbia, Juan Manuel Santos, the only Neiman so far to have received a Nobel Prize.

William Worthy, who died in 2014, is also the recipient of a singular honor. He’s the only Neiman— so far—who’s had a political protest song written about him. That could change tonight if I’m sufficiently inspired by any of you. So keep it up.

Angered by his 1956 trip to China, the U.S. government refused to renew Worthy’s passport. In ’61, he went to Cuba without one. On his return, Worthy was convicted of entering the country illegally. He successfully appealed and in 1964 a federal court declared the law unconstitutional.

The great folk singer Phil Ochs—whose sister Sonny is with us tonight—wrote the ballad of William Worthy about the case. Here’s a clip of William talking about the song.

William Worthy:  I of course had known all my life the song, particular protests songs, have played a role in the struggle for justice down through the ages.

It wasn’t until I was personally involved that I realized traveling all over the country lecturing on campuses, how important the song is because I met even 12- and 16-year-old kids who would never read The New York Times and read a detail story on a legal case such as mine but who knew about my case through Phil Ochs’ song.

It played a role in creating the atmosphere that eventually won an acquittal in my case and a constitutional victory.

Alastair:  At a time when journalism is under unprecedented assault, William Worthy and his work continue to inspire and instigate journalists around the world and even musicians like myself.

In his honor, I give to you the “Ballad of William Worthy.”

[background music]

Alastair:  Well, it’s of a bold reporter whose story I will tell.

He went down to the Cuban land, the nearest place to hell.

Had been there many times before but now the law does say.

The only way to Cuba is with the CIA.

William Worthy isn’t worthy to enter our door.

Went down to Cuba, he’s not American anymore.

But somehow it is strange to hear the State Department say.

You are living in the free world, in the free world you must stay.

Five thousand dollars or a five year sentence may well be.

For a man who had the nerve to think that traveling was free.

Oh, why’d he waste his time to see a dictator’s reign?

When he could have seen democracy by traveling on to Spain.

William Worthy isn’t worthy to enter our door.

Went down to Cuba, he’s not American anymore.

But somehow it is strange to hear the State Department say.

You are living in the free world, in the free world you must stay.

So, come all you good travelers and fellow‑travelers, too.

Yes, and travel all around the world, see every country throughout I’d surely like to come along and see what may be new.

But my passport’s disappearing as I sing these words to you.

Well, there really is no need to travel to these evil lands.

Yes, and though the list grows longer you must try to understand.

Try hard not to worry if someday you should hear.

The whole world is off limits, visit Disneyland next year.

William Worthy isn’t worthy to enter our door.

Went down to Cuba, he’s not American anymore.

But somehow it is strange to hear the State Department say.

You are living in the free world, in the free world you must stay.