Good Night, and Good Luck

 

 Good Night, and Good Luck, a film directed by and staring George Clooney, takes place during the height of McCarthyism, this was time where being accused of communism or being a communist sympathizer could and would ruin someone's career as well reputation. Some may think that this film is trying to depict politics, but the spotlight is truly on journalism. David Strathairn portrays Edward Murrow, a CBS news personality, dedicates himself and his time on air to expose acts being committed by Joseph McCarthy's Senate investigation; in fact, his show actually aided taking down the senator himself. This may be a movie, and a great one at that, but all the events covered in the movies actually took place, These were real people, battling real battles. 

Edward R. Murrow 

    

Edward R. Murrow is a big name in broadcast journalism, in fact he was credited as one of the creators of broadcast journalism in America. His coverage of the bombings of London from London made himself a well-known name, he had a weekly news show broadcasted called See It Now (which we see portrayed in the movie), but it was his take on Senator Joseph McCarthy that really made him stand out and stand up when it came to First Amendment rights. Murrow's CBS show was not originally intended to call out McCarthy and his doings, but a month after it began Murrow wanted to expose the misinformation put out by McCarthy. McCarthy's colleagues eventually went on to attempt to censor Murrow, but at the end of the day damage was already done to McCarthy and his reputation. It can not be said that Murrow and See It Now are entirely credited with taking down McCarthy, but his reporting really did play a very key role in all of it. There is no arguing that Murrow's attack on McCarthy is truly legendary to so many people, it takes guts to go on air and do what he did so unapologetically, especially in the times he was living it. Taking down McCarthy has truly made Murrow immortal in the journalism world. 

Joseph McCarthy and McCarthyism

Elected to the Senate in 1946, Joseph McCarthy, a Wisconsin Republican, would lay pretty low in the political world until 1950. February 9, 1950 while in Wheeling, West Virginia delivering a speech, McCarthy claimed Communist infiltration was the root of failures in the American foreign policies. Claims were made that Communists could be anywhere, disguised as everyday school teachers, artists, journalists, your neighbor, anyone. McCarthy created mass hysteria which we now know as the Red Scare.

Thoughts

    I personally loved Good Night, and Good Luck, I think it was so educational, yet held audience's attention while teaching various themes and events that actually took place. The script was great, actors phenomenal, but truly the story is so compelling and something all journalism majors should find themselves watching. It's a great portrayal of the Red Scare and McCarthyism was done so brilliantly and carefully that it felt to me like I was living in those times.