Together in 2005, George Clooney and Grant Heslov wrote “Good Night and Good Luck”, a black and white film portraying the relationship between popular televison journalists, Edward R. Murrow and Wisconsin Senator Joseph McCarthy. The conflict is between Murrow and his news crew battling McCarthy and his radical anti-Communist ways.
There are many different elements of journalism represented throughout the film. Using Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel’s book, “The Elements of Journalism”, as a guide, these elements are more aparent to the viewer. The most noticeable element is found in Chapter 2, which says “Journalism’s first obligation is to the truth.” Murrow, even though accused of being a communist by McCarthy, knew that was he was broadcasting was infact truth. He followed through with his responisibility as a reporter to give the people the truth.
The next element of journalism in “Good Night and Good Luck” is found in Chapter 6 (“Monitor Power and Offer a Voice to the Voiceless”) and Chapter 3 (“Who Journalists Work For) of Kovach’s book. Murrow works for the American people, he wants them to understand whats going on in the country and not have their minds polluted by false media. He gives a voice to Milo Radulovich, an Air Force pilot who is falsely accused and discharged while innocent. Murrow does a report on him and is also accused for simply working for the people and trying to give a voiceless Radulovich a fair trial.
Journalists are represented in an aspiring light in “Good Night and Good Luck”. They are looked at as hard-working people. Yes, contraversies are represented, but all to bring forth the truth to citizens. Murrow’s work in “Good Night and Good Luck” led to the factual downfall of Senator McCarthy.
Image provided by: http://imagecache2.allposters.com/IMAGES/MMPO/good-night-and-good-luck.jpg
No comments:
Post a Comment