Volume 13 , Issue 5

Edward R. Murrow - See It Now (March 9, 1954)

Some of you might remember the 1950's during the McCarthyism era when one person (Joe McCarthy) misused his powers to spread fear throughout America. There was one journalist who stood up to the fear mongers of the McCarthyism. That man was Edward R. Murrow, who did his research of the truth, bringing down the fear mongering of a Senator from Wisconsin, Joe McCarthy.

First of all lets refresh ourselves from the following link which states, "Edward (Egburt) Roscoe Murrow was born into a Quaker family of farmers in Polecat Creek, North Carolina. He was raised in Washington State, but would leave his parents life behind him when he enrolled in Washington State University. At the University he majored in speech and upon graduation worked for several organizations for whom he developed student conferences."

Edward R. Murrow, because of his positions, he traveled to Europe several times which allowed him to make contacts. Eventually, he was hired by CBS and at age 27 sent overseas as CBS's "Director of Talks" to provide speakers and acts for the newly burgeoning radio medium.

Murrow had a sense of idealism and believed in the underdog; possibly character he formed from his Quaker upbringing. He was tall, lean, but had a darker look to his appearance. He was very bright and as drama was unfolding in the European stage, Murrow saw an opportunity for radio to bring events right into America's homes.

Murrow communicated his ideas to his boss, Paul White, but much of them fell on deaf ears. Eventually, CBS came to realize that they had a good thing by having personal reports from their own reporters, who could offer as much an eyewitness view on the events unfolding as the others who appeared on the air. Murrow's reports and analysis along with those from the reporters he hired set the trend for broadcast journalism for many years to follow.

Some of Murrow's Radio Shows:

* From London, 3 days before invasion of Poland - 8/28/39
* London rooftop during the blitz - 9/20/40
* From Trafalgar Square during an air raid
* Orchestrated Hell - December 3, 1943
* Visting Buchenwald - 4/15/45
* Murrow on the McCarthy Hearings



Edward R. Murrow's complete speech from Good night and Good Luck!



The two excerpts of Ed Murrow's brilliant 1958 speech that are included in Good Night, and Good Luck. Performed by David Strathairn.

Did you ever notice that most of us sometimes look to the past for resemblances between to the present? Could it just be mere coincidence? Can we learn from our past mistakes?

I hope so! Let us bring back civility, truthfully facts and journalism to the present and the future!   |  View or Add Comments (0 Comments)   |   Receive updates ( subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

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