"Goodnight & Good Luck"

The movie cover for Good Night
and Good Luck. Image: IMDB

A movie that needed no color to signify fear when the red scare loomed throughout the country, Good Night and Good Luck reminded its audience about their First Amendment rights as citizens, especially journalists. 

George Clooney's historical drama illustrates the universal tension between Edward R. Murrow, CBS Studios, and all journalists, thanks to the communist allegations set upon by U.S. Senator Joesph McCarthy. While thousands have been accused of being communists or like supporters, a much smaller percentage were deemed as such. However, this manhunt for 'infiltrators' spouted anti-propaganda that painted McCarthy as the savior Americans needed when, in reality, many speculate it was all a ploy to suppress left-wingers that would vote against the Republican Senator. 

A chilling effect was cast over all who thought to oppose ex-Senator McCarthy in fear. Being labeled as a communist would have the same effect as being accused of a felony that would cost your friends, your job, and even your family. Questions were never asked until Edward R. Murrow had the guts to inquire on behalf of wrongfully accused Milo Radulovich.

A connection is drawn between how the public was fed right-swinging opinions and fear of the unknown spread. After the events of WWI, alleged Soviet influence fear mongered Americans into hatred, similar to how after the events of 9/11, Americans focused on a hatred of the entire Muslim religion and the Middle East as a threat in fear of more terrorist attacks rather than just ISIS itself. This took place during the Bush Administration's 'War on Terror' in the years leading up to the movie's release in late 2005.

A scene from Good Night and Good Luck where the
military visits CBS offices. Image: IMDB

Many scenes in Good Night and Good Luck were tightly framed around the actors to better exemplify the secrecy needed in the newsroom due to communism looming in the stark darkness around them. In fact, US military personnel were sent to the CBS office in an attempt to intimidate Murrow to cease his segment against McCarthy. During this time, American Citizens were placed on higher surveillance to be watched should any anti-American behavior take place. This is mirrored in the government's increased surveillance in Muslim communities and Muslim profiling in airports post-9/11 to proactively prevent any further terrorist behavior.

Many Americans were fed lines of "they're all around us, they could even be your neighbor," increasing general paranoia and pinning Americans against each other. Civilians would be too preoccupied trying to figure out if their co-workers were Communist sympathizers to see the unconstitutional overstep from the American government.

A courtroom scene from Good Night and Good Luck
Image: IMDB

Milo Radulovich was one unwitting 'criminal' whose right to due process and a fair trial was thrown out the window as he was quickly and unfairly blacklisted from the U.S. Airforce. The rest of the movie confronts Joesph McCarthy's blatant disregard for First Amendment freedoms. Should a person exercise their right to political opinion and peaceful protest, they were labeled a communist supporter and blacklisted. 

A camera angle from Good Night and Good Luck
Image: IMDB

Journalistic integrity by Edward Murrow and CBS exposed McCarthy's stonewalling and sandbagging tactics when, after questioning and a chance to defend himself on air, McCarthy's disregard for substantial answers in favor of labeling Murrow as a communist was his only rebut. 

Nothing more strongly reminds journalists to constantly question each ideology and push against the tide. Should Murrow have succumbed to censorship, who knows what kind of dictatorial government America would have become?

"The Front Page"

A time authentic poster from IMDB

 Set in 1929, The Front Page screams, "Is Journalistic Integrity Dead?" as the main character, Hildebrand 'Hildy' Johnson, feels firsthand the plights of retiring from journalism. On his way out to marry his soon-to-be, a so-called communist here to tear the nation apart, Earl Williams escapes his cell with his mercy now at the hands of Hildy. 

Will Johnson report this rabble rouser's story truthfully, or will Johnson leave it in the hands of his inebriated colleagues to get the girl? Extra! Extra! Read all about it! 

Although this headline was lengthy, it is an example of sensationalism often synonymous with jazz journalism of the 1920s. As depicted in the movie, writers would need to procure headlines that would captivate the public so much to buy a paper instead of listening to the radio. The reporters in this movie often wrote a story with little information and an eye-catching headline to be the first paper with such wild news while the others caught up. In the title sequence alone, the Chicago Examiner's newest headline, "Cop Killer Sane Must Die," is shown right behind the "The Front Page." Getting the scoop returns as an obstacle in Hilly's retirement, for the adrenaline of reporting is a high he cannot shake. 

The title page from the movie The Front Page

In the news industry, efficiency is a necessity. It remains crucial from The Front Page, set in 1929 to 2024. So much so that modern journalists can share their work completely with a timestamp up to the day's second. A scene where Walter Burns, Hildy Johnson's boss, unfolds his scheme to have a reporter at the public execution of Wiliams complete with an ankle camera and darkroom ambulance to have the freshest print exemplifies the line of ethics journalists walk each day. 

The newsroom from The Front Page with reporters calling
their editors about the newest scoop. Image: IMDB.com

While striving for efficiency has remained the same, accuracy has come to far lengths. Clickbait is the modern successor to yellow journalism. Reporters in the 20th-century movie would stretch the truth as much as they could. In the 21st century, many may argue that tabloids follow suit.

However, unlike in the older ages of reporting, truthful journalism is valued highly. Organizations like the Society of Professional Journalism follow a code of ethics proclaiming journalistic integrity. Should a publication print false reporting, consumers will revolt online, not standing for blasphemous writing, particularly if skewed towards a specific politician. 

Hildy expertly writing his final article. Image: IMDB.com

Crooked politics is personified as the mayor in The Front Page. He urges the sheriff and reporters to paint Earl Williams as the criminal in favor of black votes come election season. This behavior between reporters and their subjects is not uncommon in today's era of news reporting. Specific companies are labeled right or left because of their skewed scopes. 

As Hildy had fought against the plague of misinformation around him, many writers are attempting to remember the real purpose of journalism. Journalists are meant to observe and inform rather than be involved in politics. Setting Earl William's story straight was his final act as a journalist before catching his train and bride.