Good Night and Good Luck

Journalist and broadcaster Edward R Murrow was known as the ‘Jeremiah’ of the radio and television industry. Critical, earnest and determined, Murrow pioneered investigative journalism, taking on issues like racism, segregation and the exploitation of migrant workers. His work with CBS TV in the 1950s saw him confront Senator Joseph McCarthy exposing his dubious methods. However Murrow’s trademark integrity was not always appreciated.

Written and directed by George Clooney, Good Night and Good Luck is something of a tribute to the mellifluous Murrow (David Strathairn). It focuses particularly on the McCarthy hearings of 1953 and 1954. The junior senator from Wisconsin had made it his mission to eradicate any traces of Communism from the United States. His infamous senate hearings – though often based on hearsay – brought fear and suspicion into the lives of both ordinary and famous Americans. (The anxiety engendered by these ‘trials’ inspired dramatist Arthur Miller to write The Crucible.) Those who took issue with McCarthy and his inquiries were branded Communist sympathisers. Consequently even those in the media were often too afraid to challenge the influential Senator. Others were censured by their employers. Not Murrow.

When Murrow revealed McCarthy’s modus operandi using footage from the hearings themselves the Senator was enraged and used his opportunity for a response to attack Murrow himself. Refusing to answer any of the questions by Murrow, McCarthy began an attack on the journalist himself labelling him a Communist. While his evidence for these allegations was entirely fictitious, Senator McCarthy was adamant that Murrow was an enemy of America.

The contrast between the two men and their approaches to information could not be more marked. Murrow was careful not to attack McCarthy himself but exposed him using McCarthy’s own words. The Senator, however, relied on gossip, hearsay and invention. His criticism of Murrow was personal. He could not fault the journalist’s evidence – they were, after all, McCarthy’s own words. 

Filmed in black and white Good Night and Good Luck is a well-crafted drama. Strathairn gives a marvellous performance as the articulate and gracious Ed Murrow. He is ably supported by George Clooney Robert Downey Jr. The genius of the film is in its use of contemporary footage. Rather than re-shoot scenes with an actor playing McCarthy, the film uses material from the 50s; McCarthy, in effect, plays himself. Ironically by shooting in black and white the film seems more ‘real’ than if it were shot in colour.

The timing of this release is interesting. The ‘war on terror’ and ensuing anti-terrorist legislation has the potential to create a similar atmosphere of hysteria and suspicion. The challenge to government and media is to maintain integrity and preserve the rights of the individual while combatting terrorism.

While Murrow was something of a trailblazer in the television industry he remained highly critical of it. He was not afraid to bite the hand that fed. In 1958 he delivered a stinging analysis criticising the use of television simply to amuse and insulate viewers from the realities of life. His prophecy – that unless the role and use of television changes society will be damaged, lessened – was as unpopular then as it would be today. Sadly it is also true. Our appetite for diversion, through cinema, television and gaming has become an addiction. The world of the sitcom and the soapie is often more familiar to us in the West than the real world in which we live. If only reflection rated better…

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