Jounalistic integrity

I have just finished watching Good Night and Good Luck and I want to encourage everyone who hasn't seen it to do so. In fact, even if you have already seen it at the theater, I want to suggest that you rent the DVD and watch the commentary and companion piece.

Here's the plot synopsis on the off chance that anybody doesn't already know this:

In the early 1950's, the threat of Communism created an air of paranoia in the United States and exploiting those fears was Senator Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin. However, CBS reporter Edward R. Murrow and his producer Fred W. Friendly decided to take a stand and challenge McCarthy and expose him for the fear monger he was. However, their actions took a great personal toll on both men, but they stood by their convictions and helped to bring down one of the most controversial senators in American history.

It saddens me that an actor has needed to take on the role of the Fourth Estate and call to our attention how civil liberties are systematically being destroyed given the overall cowardice of today's press. We are, of course, experiencing a new McCarthyism and who knows what the outcome of this one will be. It doesn't look pretty, that's for sure.

I want to leave you with two quotes by Edward R. Murrow that were displayed during one of the special features:

No one can terrorize a whole nation unless we are all his accomplices.

We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty. When the loyal opposition dies, think the soul of America dies with it.

The soul of America is clearly in very great danger. But as long as movies like Good Night and Good Luck are still being made it is not yet dead. Thank God for that.