119:, the environment and Illinois politics. His refusal to identify a confidential source led to a landmark court case. During a career-long emphasis on media improvement, he served on the Twentieth Century Fund's task force that established a National News Council, consulted for several foundations, served as secretary of New York Governor
245:
tried to compel disclosure of his confidential source, pseudonymous speculator ("Norris
Vitchek"). In Baker v. F&F Investment, a U.S. District Court upheld his right to confidentiality, and in 1972 the United States Supreme Court declined to review the decision, and the press pronounced the case a landmark.
244:
titled “Confession of a Block-Buster” which chronicled a
Chicago real estate speculator's strategy of frightening white homeowners into selling their property at a loss and then reselling to black buyers at inflated prices. The article made legal history when a group of black homeowners subsequently
170:
with both bachelor's and master's degrees in journalism (1952 and 1953, respectively). He later served in the U.S. Army as a journalist and was stationed in Japan during 1954–1955. He began freelance writing for various magazines while in Japan, and also wrote for a variety of military newspapers
407:, in 1953. They met while in high school representing rival schools on a local radio program. His wife served as an important support throughout her husband's career, as indicated in Balk's scholarly papers in the collections of the Newberry Library in Chicago and
316:
and also taught at
Columbia's Graduate School of Journalism. Balk's colleague and the magazine's founder, James Boylan wrote “As an editor, he worked with determination, often stubbornness, turning the Review into a reporters’ magazine, tougher and grittier.”
283:
on “The
Illinois Legislature: A Study in Corruption” (September 1964), spurred ethics reforms and vaulted Simon to national prominence, a U.S. Senate seat, and a legacy including helping foster President-to-be
789:
332:
and other distinguished journalists to build a successful publication, which was later acquired by The
Stanley Foundation. His last magazine position, from 1989 to 1991, was as managing editor of the
221:
of
Chicago, victims of the fallout-shelter craze, how a T.V. jackpot almost ruined the winners, and defections among Protestant ministers. He co-authored a report on the rise of
31:
115:(July 24, 1930 – November 25, 2010) was an American reporter, nonfiction author and magazine editor who wrote groundbreaking articles about housing segregation, the
131:. He wrote and co-authored books on a variety of topics, ranging from the tax exempt status of religious organizations to globalization to the history of radio.
388:
In 1991, Balk moved to
Syracuse in upstate New York to teach journalism at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. There he wrote his eighth book,
665:
Mehlhorn, Dmitri (December 1998). "A Requiem for
Blockbusting: Law, Economics, and Race-Based Real Estate Speculation". Fordham Law Review 67: 1145–1161.
279:, his subjects included zoning abuses, a builder who made integration pay, and two high-profile cover stories. One, a collaboration with then-State Sen.
333:
781:
773:
866:
911:
151:. He began his journalistic career writing for his high school paper, and also landed a job as a sports reporter for the local paper,
630:
832:
891:
921:
252:
he reported on nursing-home neglect, threats to public parkland, Great Lakes water problems, boating-boom safety hazards, and
186:
During eight years of full-time freelancing his most influential articles appeared in the era's leading magazines, including
906:
881:
861:
341:
288:’s political rise. The other, “God Is Rich” (October 1967), on religious organizations’ tax exemptions, led to the book
916:
876:
871:
797:
422:, aged 80. He was survived by his wife, two daughters and two grandchildren. His wife, Phyllis, died on May 4, 2011.
392:(McFarland, 2006) which received positive reviews from other media professionals, including Mike Wallace of CBS.
234:
159:
207:
167:
886:
233:
fame. The pioneering article, "Black
Merchants of Hate," later led to Haley's classic and bestseller
217:, which for a time retained him under contract as a lead writer, he wrote on subjects such as Mayor
163:
88:
838:
349:
308:
Balk moved to New York in 1966 as features editor and editor at large of
Saturday Review under
148:
809:
901:
896:
813:
684:
395:
All told, during his lifetime, Balk wrote more than 100 magazine articles and seven books.
765:
123:'s Committee on the Employment of Minority Groups in the News Media, and produced a film,
8:
827:
408:
345:
120:
525:“The Illinois Legislature: A Study in Corruption” (with Sen. Paul Simon; Sept., 1964).
823:
601:
419:
357:
143:
on July 24, 1930, the son of Leslie William Balk and Clara Buell Balk. He grew up in
76:
593:
411:. She was also known in her own right for extensive volunteer and charitable work.
404:
361:
218:
353:
265:
222:
144:
140:
128:
116:
54:
843:
309:
855:
605:
337:
300:, in a two-page report (May 3, 1971), described as “a penetrating new book.”
253:
415:
285:
718:
707:
654:
438:
Movie Palace Masterpiece: Saving Syracuse’s Loew’s State/Landmark Theatre
364:. Throughout the 1970s - 1980s and 90s, his writing on media appeared in
292:(John Knox Press) and, under a Foundation fellowship, a nationwide study
500:“Why I Quit the Ministry” (with an anonymous ex-minister; Nov. 17, 1962)
280:
226:
818:
751:“Shielding News Sources in Civil Trial Permitted,” Linda Matthews,
30:
594:"Alfred Balk, Journalist and Author, Dies at 80 (Published 2010)"
240:
Balk rose to prominence in 1962 after writing an article for the
328:, a monthly foreign press digest, hiring Marion K. Sanders of
456:
Our Troubled Press: Ten Years of Columbia Journalism Review
303:
497:“Black Merchants of Hate” (with Alex Haley; Jan. 26, 1963)
474:
Kup’s Chicago: A Many-Faceted and Affectionate Portrait
360:. In the mid-1970s, he delivered media commentaries on
125:
That the People Shall Know: The Challenge of Journalism
846:
The Rise of Radio: From Marconi through the Golden Age
506:“A Jackpot Almost Ruined Their Lives” (July 15, 1961).
432:
The Rise of Radio, from Marconi through the Golden Age
390:
The Rise of Radio: From Marconi Through the Golden Age
567:“When the Wind Blew Black Blizzards” (Nov. 10, 1963).
522:“The Builder Who Makes Integration Pay” (July, 1965)
340:. He also was an Executive Committee member of the
503:“Confessions of a Block-Buster” (July 14–21, 1962)
766:Distinguished journalist, Huntley resident dies,
544:“My Most Unforgettable Character” (December 1961)
334:Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
853:
458:co-author with James Boylan, Little Brown, 1971.
444:The Myth of American Eclipse: The New Global Age
782:Alfred Balk, 80, magazine editor and reporter,
557:“Mr. Johnson Finds His Market” (Nov. 12, 1959).
547:“Good-Bye to Our Public Parks” (November 1960).
476:(collaboration with Irv Kupcinet, World), 1962.
535:“Water Crisis on the Great Lakes” (Mar., 1965)
538:“The Shame of Our Nursing Homes” (Jan., 1965)
494:“The Last Dinosaur Wins Again” (May 11, 1963)
312:. Three years later, he became editor of the
179:In 1958, after serving as a reporter for the
162:in Rock Island, Illinois and transferred to
748:, 1963, 1970, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990, 2001.
519:“Zoning: Invitation to Bribery” (Oct. 1966)
674:New York Times Magazine, November 10, 1963
561:
541:“Danger Rides in Small Boats” (Aug., 1962)
452:(Twentieth Century Fund, Paperback), 1972.
398:
383:
174:
29:
166:after a year where he graduated from the
485:
304:Magazine editing and industry leadership
740:Reader’s Guide to Periodical Literature
591:
324:in 1973 to serve as founding editor of
210:, which elected him president in 1969.
854:
719:Alfred Balk papers at Newberry Library
708:Alfred Balk papers at Newberry Library
655:Alfred Balk papers at Newberry Library
491:“Anyone for Survival” (Mar. 27, 1965)
462:The Free List: Property Without Taxes
294:The Free List: Property Without Taxes
206:and others. Balk was a member of the
774:Alfred Balk dies at 80; journalist,
631:"Alfred Balk dies at 80; journalist"
625:
623:
621:
587:
585:
583:
581:
418:on November 25, 2010 in his home in
342:American Society of Magazine Editors
248:Among other prominent articles, for
13:
867:Medill School of Journalism alumni
758:“Trying to Change an Unfair Tax,”
529:
183:, he began freelancing full-time.
158:After high school, he enrolled at
14:
933:
912:People from Rock Island, Illinois
803:
618:
578:
464:(Russell Sage/Basic Books), 1970.
348:, as well as a consultant to the
296:(Russell Sage Foundation), which
403:Balk married Phyllis Munter, of
139:Alfred William Balk was born in
551:
380:, and other journalism organs.
892:Deaths from cancer in Illinois
712:
701:
677:
668:
659:
648:
235:The Autobiography of Malcolm X
1:
922:People from Huntley, Illinois
727:
272:, the “Dust Bowl” revisited.
260:, the social significance of
134:
592:Buckley, Cara (2010-11-28).
440:(Landmark Foundation, 1998).
213:While working at the weekly
7:
907:People from Muscatine, Iowa
882:Syracuse University faculty
862:People from Oskaloosa, Iowa
510:
480:
450:A Free and Responsive Press
270:The New York Times Magazine
208:Society of Magazine Writers
196:The New York Times Magazine
168:Medill School of Journalism
16:American non-fiction writer
10:
938:
689:Columbia Journalism Review
516:“God Is Rich” (Oct., 1967)
370:Columbia Journalism Review
322:Columbia Journalism Review
314:Columbia Journalism Review
917:Journalists from Illinois
877:American magazine editors
872:American male journalists
256:remembered by a son; for
200:The Saturday Evening Post
102:
98:Nonfiction writer, editor
94:
84:
62:
40:
28:
21:
746:The New York Times Index
571:
470:(John Knox Press), 1968.
425:
225:'s Nation of Islam with
35:Alfred Balk in the 1980s
790:Alfred Balk,1930-2010,
562:New York Times Magazine
399:Personal life and death
384:Later life and writings
175:Magazine writing career
164:Northwestern University
89:Northwestern University
839:University of Maryland
350:Twentieth Century Fund
798:Phyllis Balk obituary
685:"Al Balk, 1969--1973"
486:Saturday Evening Post
468:The Religion Business
290:The Religion Business
242:Saturday Evening Post
215:Saturday Evening Post
153:The Rock Island Argus
149:Rock Island, Illinois
814:the Newberry Library
734:Who’s Who in America
446:(Transaction), 1990.
374:Editor and Publisher
268:’s success; and for
171:during his service.
828:Syracuse University
409:Syracuse University
346:Overseas Press Club
250:The Reader’s Digest
106:Phyllis Munter Balk
824:Alfred Balk papers
819:Stanley Foundation
810:Alfred Balk papers
598:The New York Times
434:(McFarland, 2006).
326:World Press Review
121:Nelson Rockefeller
887:Writers from Iowa
753:Los Angeles Times
635:Los Angeles Times
420:Huntley, Illinois
358:Markle Foundation
264:magazine founder
181:Chicago Sun-Times
160:Augustana College
110:
109:
77:Huntley, Illinois
73:November 25, 2010
929:
721:
716:
710:
705:
699:
698:
696:
695:
681:
675:
672:
666:
663:
657:
652:
646:
645:
643:
642:
627:
616:
615:
613:
612:
589:
405:Moline, Illinois
362:CBS Morning News
219:Richard J. Daley
72:
70:
50:
48:
33:
19:
18:
937:
936:
932:
931:
930:
928:
927:
926:
852:
851:
806:
792:Chicago Tribune
730:
725:
724:
717:
713:
706:
702:
693:
691:
683:
682:
678:
673:
669:
664:
660:
653:
649:
640:
638:
629:
628:
619:
610:
608:
590:
579:
574:
564:
554:
532:
530:Reader's Digest
513:
488:
483:
428:
401:
386:
354:Ford Foundation
336:' publication,
306:
223:Elijah Muhammad
204:Reader's Digest
177:
145:Muscatine, Iowa
141:Oskaloosa, Iowa
137:
129:Walter Cronkite
117:Nation of Islam
80:
74:
68:
66:
58:
55:Oskaloosa, Iowa
52:
46:
44:
36:
24:
17:
12:
11:
5:
935:
925:
924:
919:
914:
909:
904:
899:
894:
889:
884:
879:
874:
869:
864:
850:
849:
841:
830:
821:
816:
805:
804:External links
802:
801:
800:
795:
787:
779:
771:
763:
762:, May 3, 1971.
756:
755:, May 8, 1973.
749:
743:
737:
729:
726:
723:
722:
711:
700:
676:
667:
658:
647:
617:
576:
575:
573:
570:
569:
568:
563:
560:
559:
558:
553:
550:
549:
548:
545:
542:
539:
536:
531:
528:
527:
526:
523:
520:
517:
512:
509:
508:
507:
504:
501:
498:
495:
492:
487:
484:
482:
479:
478:
477:
471:
465:
459:
453:
447:
441:
435:
427:
424:
400:
397:
385:
382:
366:Nieman Reports
310:Norman Cousins
305:
302:
176:
173:
136:
133:
127:, narrated by
108:
107:
104:
100:
99:
96:
92:
91:
86:
82:
81:
75:
64:
60:
59:
53:
42:
38:
37:
34:
26:
25:
22:
15:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
934:
923:
920:
918:
915:
913:
910:
908:
905:
903:
900:
898:
895:
893:
890:
888:
885:
883:
880:
878:
875:
873:
870:
868:
865:
863:
860:
859:
857:
848:
847:
844:Book Review:
842:
840:
836:
835:
831:
829:
825:
822:
820:
817:
815:
811:
808:
807:
799:
796:
794:
793:
788:
786:
785:
780:
778:
777:
772:
770:
769:
764:
761:
757:
754:
750:
747:
744:
741:
738:
735:
732:
731:
720:
715:
709:
704:
690:
686:
680:
671:
662:
656:
651:
636:
632:
626:
624:
622:
607:
603:
599:
595:
588:
586:
584:
582:
577:
566:
565:
556:
555:
546:
543:
540:
537:
534:
533:
524:
521:
518:
515:
514:
505:
502:
499:
496:
493:
490:
489:
475:
472:
469:
466:
463:
460:
457:
454:
451:
448:
445:
442:
439:
436:
433:
430:
429:
423:
421:
417:
414:Balk died of
412:
410:
406:
396:
393:
391:
381:
379:
375:
371:
367:
363:
359:
355:
351:
347:
343:
339:
338:IEEE Spectrum
335:
331:
327:
323:
318:
315:
311:
301:
299:
295:
291:
287:
282:
278:
273:
271:
267:
263:
259:
255:
254:Thomas Edison
251:
246:
243:
238:
236:
232:
228:
224:
220:
216:
211:
209:
205:
201:
197:
193:
189:
184:
182:
172:
169:
165:
161:
156:
154:
150:
146:
142:
132:
130:
126:
122:
118:
114:
105:
101:
97:
95:Occupation(s)
93:
90:
87:
83:
78:
65:
61:
56:
51:July 24, 1930
43:
39:
32:
27:
20:
845:
834:Illumination
833:
791:
784:Boston Globe
783:
775:
768:Daily Herald
767:
759:
752:
745:
742:, 1955–2001.
739:
733:
714:
703:
692:. Retrieved
688:
679:
670:
661:
650:
639:. Retrieved
637:. 2010-11-30
634:
609:. Retrieved
597:
552:The Reporter
473:
467:
461:
455:
449:
443:
437:
431:
416:colon cancer
413:
402:
394:
389:
387:
377:
373:
369:
365:
329:
325:
321:
319:
313:
307:
297:
293:
289:
286:Barack Obama
276:
274:
269:
266:John Johnson
261:
258:The Reporter
257:
249:
247:
241:
239:
230:
214:
212:
203:
199:
195:
191:
187:
185:
180:
178:
157:
152:
138:
124:
112:
111:
902:2010 deaths
897:1930 births
113:Alfred Balk
23:Alfred Balk
856:Categories
728:References
694:2020-11-05
641:2020-11-05
611:2020-11-02
281:Paul Simon
229:of future
227:Alex Haley
192:The Nation
135:Early life
69:2010-11-25
47:1930-07-24
606:0362-4331
85:Education
776:LA Times
511:Harper's
481:Articles
356:and the
330:Harper's
320:He left
277:Harper’s
188:Harper's
736:, 2006.
604:
352:, the
103:Spouse
79:, U.S.
57:, U.S.
572:Notes
426:Books
378:Folio
262:Ebony
231:Roots
760:Time
602:ISSN
298:Time
275:For
147:and
63:Died
41:Born
826:at
812:at
858::
837:,
687:.
633:.
620:^
600:.
596:.
580:^
376:,
372:,
368:,
344:,
237:.
202:,
198:,
194:,
190:,
155:.
697:.
644:.
614:.
71:)
67:(
49:)
45:(
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
