Final Post

Good Night and Good Luck

For the final blog post the question "What is the transhistorical relationship between the press and the Government in a society aspiring to Democracy?" was posed. Through the analysis of the movie "Good Night, and Good Luck" the answer is clear - In a society aspiring for democracy, it is the job of the press to never stay silent.  In other words, speak for those who can't, call out people in power who may abuse it, and unbiasedly report on what's going on in the world.

Movie Description

"Good Night, And Good Luck" is a 2005 historical drama film directed by George Clooney. Clooney also wrote and starred in this movie, acting alongside  David Strathairn, Patricia Clarkson, Jeff Daniels, Robert Downey Jr., and Frank Langella. The film itself was nominated for six BAFTas in 2005, six Academy Awards in 2006, four Golden Globes in 2006 and was named as one of the "Top Ten Movies of 2005" by The American Film Institute.

"Good Night, and Good Luck" takes place in the early 1950s when the "red scare" was at its peak. It centers around U.S. Senator Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin, who was using the fear of communism as fuel for his political campaign, and CBS reporter Edward R. Murrow and his producer Fred W. Friendly who wanted to expose McCarthy for fearmonger he truly was. Murrow and Friendly put their reputations and careers on the line to expose McCarthy and after many highs and lows ultimately the two reporters came out victorious. 

Responsibility Of The Press to the Public

The video below, "The Importance of Journalists in a Democracy" sums up the messages that are prevalent in "Good Night, and Good Luck" in a short seven minutes and helps to answer the press part of the question ""What is the transhistorical relationship between the press and the Government in a society aspiring to Democracy?"

A quote that stands out largely to me in this video is "A truly free and independent, fiercely independent when necessary press is the red beating heart of freedom and democracy." The freedom of the press is a fundamental personal right, since it is specifically mentioned in the Bill of Rights, thus making it one of the strongest types of rights in our constitutional system. This freedom, to be independent and free from constraint is in place not only to guarantee the voices of the American public to be heard but to secure a faucet individuals can use to call out people in authority who may abuse their power.

Edward R. Murrow

It was also stated in the 6th clause of the First Amendment that the people have the right to "Petition the government for a redress of grievances without fear of retribution or punishment." Not only does this mean that it's a duty of the press to hold these people in power responsible for what they do, but it is thier guaranteed right to have this voice to speak out.

In the movie "Good Night, and Good Luck" we see Murrow and Friendly using their fundamental right to this freedom of speech and of the press to do exactly that, call out someone in authority for abusing their power. Murrow's dedication to transparency and the truth with his viewers instead of just pushing fluff pieces that would make them feel good is a prime example of this. While many believe it was light stories meant to entertain the public that attracted viewers to stations, Murrow unwaveringly campaigned for stories that while controversial would highlight the public of what was actually happening in the world - even when it could get him and his station in trouble.