Good Night Mr. McCarthy

Rating: 9/10 (3 May 2010)

The government has always had control of news content, if reporters would abstain from being swindled and report uninfluenced news they would be able to expose true corruption. In the 1950s Senator Joseph McCarty of Wisconsin began a wave of accusations against many of America's political leaders and members of Hollywood. He claimed that communists were infiltrating the American Government. Although this was during the Cold War, many of his accusations were exceedingly false and carried no merit. As a result, two men at CBS decided to expose McCarthy for the liar he was. Nighttime news producer Fred Friendly and reporter Edward Murrow devised a plan to go against the wishes of CBS and report their findings on McCarthy's fallacies. In Good Night and Good Luck (GNGL), directory George Clooney illustrates the hold the government has on the American Media, through the true story of the fall of Senator McCarthy. The domino effect that takes place in this film is evident. First the government tries to take control of CBS. Then CBS tried to threaten Friendly and Murrow. Finally Friendly and Murrow muster up the strength to stand against CBS. When they do, Friendly and Murrow are able to report the truth and influence the American people forever.
The US government has, in the past and present, threatened members of various broadcasting companies to report news deemed acceptable by them. If reporters of producers refuse to do so, they risk losing their jobs or being sent to jail. In the film, William Paley, the head of CBS, is approached by a government official. In this scene, Paley is accused of slander and humility. He is threatened and told he will be blacklisted and labeled a communist. In an article on CBSNews.com transcripts on Senator McCarthy read that he "manipulated his hearings by calling witnesses he can intimidate and avoids calling those likely to oppose him" (Holguin, pg. 1). His so-called "smear attacks" on government officials and Hollywood stars alike is unjust and unethical. Gehlback and Sonin say in their article, Government Control of the Media, that the "governments that seek to mobilize populations to take a particular action induce a higher level of media bias" (Gehler and Sonin, pg. 23). This proves that even though some people may think they are getting real news, they are just getting the governments version of the news.
CBS approaches Friendly and Murrow who then face a tough decision. They can run the true story and be fired, or keep their jobs and comply with the government. Instead of listening to "the man," they create a report revealing the ugly truth about Senator McCarthy. By sticking to their instincts they stand up to the Senator and his men. They also stand up for the American people who deserve to know the truth.
In the scene when Murrow first reports the fallacies of McCarthy, his demeanor is very defiant. He reports with dignity and valor, making each statement as important as the last. Murrow and Friendly break barriers as they stand up to CBS and the government (GNGL). Although it lands them in a bit of hot water, they stick to their story and prove they are not to be tested. Their words influenced many viewers: Even a democratic candidate for a seat in the House of Representatives had, so Roosevelt had heard, advocated a declaration of war. 'He should be thrown out of Congress promptly even if elected and no honest man can afford to vote for him and thereafter claim to be himself a good and loyal American'" (Shannon, pg. 9).
Fred Friendly and Edward Murrow do not fully understand the influence they had on the American Media. By making information about McCarthy public, they showed that real reporters told the truth and real Americans let each other know when something was awry. Even after more threats from McCarthy and a rebuttal that he airs on CBS, these two men risk everything, and ultimately create history. When Murrow responds to Senator McCarthy's response, his apprehension becomes evident. This is the climax of the film where everyone realizes how important these reports are. After Murrow finishes his report, the camera jumps to his fear-stricken face. In the next scene Friendly receives the news that McCarthy is on suspension and is being investigated. It is here that the viewer understands the influence the news has on its people.
Although some Americans believe the government always has our best interests in mind, this film shows how they do not. The government has gained control of the media in some ways and Good Night and Good Luck is a depiction of the fear they had on media sources in the 1950s. The story of Senator McCarthy is just one example of how the United States Government controls what Americans watch on the news. However, the bravery of Edward Murrow and Fred Friendly exposed a Senator and brought truth to the American people. Although it is still a work in progress, the freedom of the press has come a long way. It is because of men like Murrow and Friendly that the American Media is able to unveil the truth about the government and bring justice to the American people.