Good Night and Good Luck

Part II:

Set in the 1950’s, after the Cold War, a Wisconsin Senator Joseph McCarthy claimed Communists had risen to power in America. This in turn, started the McCarthy hearings that would put a person on trial if they were suspected of any type of communist activity. Most of the trials ended with innocent Americans losing their jobs and their careers jeopardized. Edward R. Murrow was one of the most famous newsmen at the time. When he heard of an Air Force pilot, Milo Radulovich, being relieved of duty because his father had Communist ties he decided to do something about it. Murrow first did a segment on Radulovich’s dismissal which leads to McCarthy vs. Murrow an renowned piece of journalism where both Murrow and McCarthy debated their views on Murrow’s program “See It Now.” Many believe this was the beginning of the end for McCarthy, and his tyrannical trials. "Good Night and Good Luck Summary." StarPulse.com. N.p., 2012. Web. 29 Apr. 2012.

     <http://www.starpulse.com/Movies/Good_Night._And_Good_Luck/Summary/>. 

In the film there are quite a few ethical dilemmas portrayed. The first and major dilemma is acting independently. There is much debate between the executives of CBS and the reporters of CBS on what kind of stories the station should be airing. Murrow and Friendly decide to act independently and decide to be vigilant and courageous about holding those with power accountable

Clooney, George, and Grant Heslov, dirs. Good Night and Good Luck. 2005. Warner Independent Pictures
     films.

The next is be accountable and I believer Murrow and Friendly make Senator McCarthy accountable for his actions. The way his trials are portrayed in the movie would cause uproar in today’s world. Ed Murrow decided it was time to do something to stop the Senator's "Witch Hunt" trials. Below is a clip of a supposed communist that is on trial because McCarthy suspects her of being a communist. The only evidence the counsel can bring forth is hearsay.

Clooney, George, and Grant Heslov, dirs. Good Night and Good Luck. 2005. Warner Independent Pictures
     films.

In 2009 the Press Accuracy rating hit a two decade low. Only 29% of Americans say that their news organizations get their facts straight. The Pew Research Center also states that 60% of the news organizations are biased. "Press Accuracy Rating Hits Two Decade Low Public Evaluations of the News Media: 1985-2009." Pew
     Research Center for the People & the Press. Pew Research Center, 2012. Web. 29 Apr. 2012.

As I will show you, Ed Murrow, was a very ethical, straightforward man. Perhaps If we had more media professionals like Ed Murrow, journalists would be a more trusted group of people.

There are many ethical dilemmas depicted in the film, and I feel that in each dilemma presented the journalists are depicted as guys that will do what it takes to get what they believe out in the world. This is an example seeking the truth and reporting on it. Keep in mind that at this period of time blatantly going after an anti-communist was just as bad as being a communist. However, they decided to use the Senator’s own words against him for their just cause.

Clooney, George, and Grant Heslov, dirs. Good Night and Good Luck. 2005. Warner Independent Pictures
     films.

If you paid attention to the clip you will note that Murrow is sensitive to his viewers and let them know right at the very start that this will be a controversial topic. He then allows McCarthy an opportunity to rebut any claims that are made against him on his program. This is an example of minimizing harm. The Senator takes advantage of this opportunity, and makes claims about Ed Murrow that aren’t true. As you will see in the next clip Mr. Murrow decides to take accountability for his actions and let everyone know the truth.

Clooney, George, and Grant Heslov, dirs. Good Night and Good Luck. 2005. Warner Independent Pictures
     films.

The next example is acting independently, Friendly and Murrow pay $1500 because they knew the advertisers wouldn't like the report.This clip is of Friendly and Murrow trying to get a CBS executive to buy in to the Milo Radolovich story. Ed Murrow and Fred Friendly are put against the coals from the beginning when they tell the executives what they are planning for the Radulovich story.

Clooney, George, and Grant Heslov, dirs. Good Night and Good Luck. 2005. Warner Independent Pictures
     films.

Also at the end of the clip the Air Force was brought in to try and scare Mr. Friendly from running the story. I respect Murrow and Friendly for sticking to their guns, and running the story amid the scrutiny they were receiving. This is another example of acting independently, it could also be seeking the truth and reporting it. Not only did their actions shed light on what was going on behind closed doors, but they also helped get Lieutenant Radolovich re-enlisted in the Air Force. 

Ed Murrow and Fred Friendly believed in their cause and were rewarded by getting Joseph McCarthy removed from the Senate. They were also rewarded by CBS with a demotion. Murrow and Friendly’s show was taken from a prime time spot and relocated to a Sunday afternoon time slot. They were also given only five episodes.

Clooney, George, and Grant Heslov, dirs. Good Night and Good Luck. 2005. Warner Independent Pictures
     films.

The time period of the film has everything to do with the way journalists and ethical dilemmas are framed. It was right after the Cold War, and Americans are frightened of Russian Communists infiltrating. Therefore: this gave McCarthy power, and not many people were brave enough to stand up to him for fear of being called a communist. That is why Murrow and Friendly are depicted as rebel journalists (acting independently) throughout the movie. They are going against the norm and standing up for what they believe to be right. The clip below summarizes perfectly what America was going through at the time of this movie.

Clooney, George, and Grant Heslov, dirs. Good Night and Good Luck. 2005. Warner Independent Pictures
     films.

There really aren’t many journalists like Fred Friendly and Edward R. Murrow. They were willing to jeopardize their well being, and careers to get their beliefs to the public. I strongly believe that if more journalists would be like Ed Murrow the statistics that were given earlier in this presentation would be much higher. Maybe the film depicted him as a super hero, but every article I have found on Ed Murrow has given me the same insight. I think Time Magazine says it best: “If TV news were to build its own Mount Rushmore, the first face carved would be that of Edward R. Murrow. The man who brought the Nazi blitz into American living rooms with his memorable radio reports ("This ... is London") went on to become the most admired newsman of television's first decade. With his brooding brow, sonorous voice and ever present cigarette, Murrow personified the highest standards of journalism for millions.”Zoglin, Richard. "Edward R. Murrow: Tackling a TV News Legend." Time Magazine U.S. Time, 21 June
     2005. <http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1074941,00.html>. Rpt. in Time
     Magazine. N.p.: n.p., n.d. N. pag. Print.

I believe that in every ethical situation both Murrow and Friendly shined.They would pass the Code of Ethics with flying colors. They were very good journalists and I was happy to see that even amid controversy they held on to their beliefs. Even when accepting an award Edward R. Murrow is still pressing journalists to be better and report on what is important.

And with this I bid you "Good Night and Good Luck.

Work Cited

Clooney, George, and Grant Heslov, dirs. Good Night and Good Luck. 2005. Warner Independent Pictures
     films."Good Night and Good Luck Summary." StarPulse.com. N.p., 2012. Web. 29 Apr. 2012.
     <http://www.starpulse.com/Movies/Good_Night._And_Good_Luck/Summary/>.
"Press Accuracy Rating Hits Two Decade Low Public Evaluations of the News Media: 1985-2009." Pew
     Research Center for the People & the Press. Pew Research Center, 2012. Web. 29 Apr. 2012.Zoglin, Richard. "Edward R. Murrow: Tackling a TV News Legend." Time Magazine U.S. Time, 21 June
     2005. <http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1074941,00.html>. Rpt. in Time
     Magazine. N.p.: n.p., n.d. N. pag. Print.