One of media’s most trusted voices ended his anchor position on December 23, 2008. Brit Hume signed off for the final time on Fox News’ Special Report with Brit Hume. Hume says he plans to spend more time with the three “G’s”: God, granddaughters and golf.

I began to watch Fox News in 1998, when Fox trailed CNN and MSNBC in the ratings. I really appreciated Hume’s preparation and integrity in reporting the day’s news. Did I always agree with the way in which Brit Hume carried out his craft? Yes, pretty much.

I remembered Hume on ABC News in the 1980’s when he was a correspondent in Washington, DC, so he was already a trusted voice. Certainly, his delivery was deadpan, but I wasn’t tuning in to see Jay Leno. I wanted the news and wanted to know that the news I was getting was factual, not twisted to fit some agenda or being promoted simply to create a story. Hume was professional and yet touched a chord with many people like me, who live in flyover country.

Often, during the Fox All Stars segment, Hume was often clarifying any subject brought up by the panel, making certain the viewer understood to what the event or example referred. Hume would also be quick to squelch any subterfuge by the members of the panel who might be attempting to spin rather than give their political opinions. Furthermore, I never found out later that Hume’s reporting was deliberately lacking in any details necessary for me to shape an informed opinion. He was also careful to steer clear of elevating clearly media driven stories.

Brit Hume was what many of us believed the media were supposed to be: fair, balanced and unafraid. Most of us grew up believing the myth that journalists were constantly striving to be objective in reporting. Hume did his best to live up to that ideal, which is truly the best way to present a story and allow the audience to draw their own conclusion. His influence upon the staff of the news team at Fox News is evident. His replacement, Brett Baier, appears as trustworthy in his reporting as Hume was.

It would be foolish to think that the media would gravitate in this direction of news presentation. The failed 1980’s night owl show “NBC News Overnight” is alive and well in MSNBC, complete with condescending commentary and overt cheerleading for political candidates. But Brit Hume has left his mark on the most watched cable news network, and that is a positive thing. Fox News grew to that position under Hume’s watch, and that is the most important legacy Hume built. Thanks Britt.