Syrena Case

Edward R. Murrow

One of the most distinguished figures in the history of American broadcast journalism Edward R. Murrow, was very responsible for the creation of the development of electronic newsgathering as not only a hobby but someone's profession. With Murrow's rich and expressive voice piercing through the airwaves he had an abundant influence on broadcast journalism during World War II and throughout his life until his death in 1965. Murrow was described as a hero and became an eminent symbol for broadcasting.

"Murrow's television documentaries have more than once been credited with changing history, and to this day his name is synonymous with courage and perseverance in the search for truth", the website www.pbs.org said

Murrow started his career at CBSin 1935. In 1937 Murrow CBS sent Murrow to set up a network of correspondents to report on a gathering storm that was brewing in Europe as the Director of Talks . He constructed a group of men who became known as "Murrows Boys". This group of men consisting of William Shirer, Charles Collingwood, Bill Shael, and Howard K. Smith each became essential in reporting the news during the war overseas. During the war Murrow flew in over twenty bombing missions over Berlin, Bill Shadel and Murrow were the first Allied correspondent to report the horrors from the Nazi death camps.

His fearlessness during the war explains why his name is synonymous with courage and perseverance, meaning equivalent to possessing these qualities . Murrow inspired "Murrows Boys" with his braveness. The five men reported every detail of World War II through news broadcasting from the front lines of the battle with a courage and loyalty. Murrow was very skilled at improvising vivid descriptions of what was going on around him. Murrows determination led to him being a war hero.

After the war Murrow returned to America amazed to know that his reports from overseas made him a celebrity almost. Murrow was asked to host a weekly program and he accepted the offer. Murrow and his colleague Fred Friendly were producing a radio show called "Hear it now" and the television show was to be called "See it now". Murrow and Friendly barely knew about filmmaking and the equipment used to produce a show. Although television was at infancy at the time they both began to learn the process of filmmaking while they produced their show to broadcast important news stories.

Murrow was apparently driven by the democratic precepts of modern liberalism. Murrow loved the common America and loved to do stories on ordinary people. Murrow also did effective shows on political or social issues. Murrow's program "See it now" constantly advanced beyond any previous achievements in the flourishing field of television journalism such as the infamous broadcast on Senator Joseph McCarthy on March 9th in 1954.

"This broadcast and McCarthy's televised response did much to reveal the senator's illogical, crude, and undemocratic crusade to a general public. Murrow's stature and analysis did the rest", the web site www.wikis.uit.tufts.edu said.

Senator Mcarthy was apart of The House of Un-American Activities (HUAC), he was attacked many times because of his undemocratic persecution of alleged Communists. he accused many people without proof. After a long time friend of Murrow, Laurence Duggan, committed suicide after Duggan was accused by the HUAC of his so called Communist contacts.

Murrow used his prominence to address Mcarthy's