Goodnight, & Good luck

    The job of a journalist has always been to "Never Stay Silent". You must always spread the truth.

  The 2005 award winning film, "Goodbye, & Good Luck" was written by George Clooney and Grant Heslov and stars David Strathairn, Patricia Clarkson, George Clooney, Jeff Daniels, Robert Downey Jr, Frank Langella, Tate Donovan, and Ray Wise. In the film, we are taught the truths about working as a journalist in the 1950's and battling news and media. A time when the world looked completely different from today but working journalists still had the same key objectives, to spread the truth no matter the cost. That is what this film was about; spreading truth in a time when that was not very easy due to the cautions of freedom of press.  It was during the time of the Red Scare and the Cold War. A period where the public was being told to fear the potential rise of communists and propaganda. 

  In the film we see the early days of broadcast and conflicts between Edward R. Murrow and Senator Joseph McCarthy. Due to rising communism and anti- communist groups, citizens were becoming paranoid. As Senator, McCarthy was exploiting their fears, news broadcaster for CBS, Murrow, and producer, Fred W. Friendly, decide to rightfully take a stand.
Through trying to  expose Senator McCarthy for his bullying tactics, they faced many consequences. The term that we now know today as "The Chilling Effect" was demonstrated through Senator McCarthy efforts to deflect what the press was sharing.  There were numerous times of doubt and regret for Murrow and Friendly but the job of a journalist will always be spread the truth and knew the outcome would be more rewarding. They stuck by this even when others were apprehensive about sharing the truth.

As an aspiring journalist, I find it necessary to be exposed to films like these. In an entertaining way, it showed the events of a major event for the history of journalism and highlighted the significance of spreading truth that I hope to one day share. There were a lot of key take aways from the film that has led me to reflect upon what I aspire to accomplish in the future. Spreading truth as a journalist is not only important, it's crucial and something that was shown through the film. A journalists fear cannot prevent a message from coming across. Being able to broadcast what is happening in real time and exercising the first amendment needs to happen to keep major powers in check and communities in the know. 

This film will be something I reflect upon a lot throughout my career. Watching the doubts and battles even the most confidence journalists experience will help me break through any and all obstacles in order to produce the greatest truths. As demonstrated through the film keeping your emotions separate is a key part to journalism.