Edward R. Murrow and Broadcast Journalism

Abstract

Communication is a vital aspect in every day life, it enhances the understanding and the way individuals relate with each other in a given region. This passage of information from one person to another also promotes the mutual coexistence between them; this can be done through the media. This paper will give an analysis of the introduction of journalism by Edward R Murrow in the communication and media sector. The aspects relating to the broadcasting of the information to the public or the audience so as to inform them on the occurrences or happenings in their surrounding will also be evaluated with regard to the activities of Murrow and his eventual introduction of radio and TV broadcasting .

Introduction

Murrow was born in Guilford County, North Carolina in April 25, 1908 and is remembered as the founding father of the broadcast journalism; it is even argued that he made the TV journalism broadcasting to be way it is presently. The introduction of the TV news is believed to have been introduced in the 1940s and 1950s where the ethical and the moral standards and the concurrent reporting principles for the broadcast news were implemented. The bizarre approach that Murrow gave the journalism and broadcasting processes of the news served as an inspiration for the media throughout the decades and set a standard for the news coverage all over the world and this has been the trend since time immemorial and has ever since been adopted by the journalists and the news broadcasters to enlighten the mass on the various pieces of information that they could have gathered from the different places (Doherty, 2003, p. 78).

One of the eventualities in his media broadcasting and journalism that makes him a reputable icon in the field of communication as far as broadcasting and journalism is concerned is the pioneering of the correspondent journalism when he went overseas to provide an eyewitness report on the actions that were being undertaken during the World War II. This commitment made it easier for the Americans to believe his information/news and depended on him for his information; this was basically due to the fact that covered an extensive region. Essentially, this paper will portray a critical analysis of the information relating to the activities of Murrow that validate the statement that he is the founding father of the broadcasting and journalism, for instance the presentation of the factual data or news to the public ; these are basically the current reporting tactics that he developed.

Thesis Statement

The development of the broadcasting journalism in radio and TV presentation as pioneered by Edward R Murrow is a key element that determines the present system of media and the modes of communication that are used by the journalists. This is evidenced by the principles, ethical and moral aspects or standards that were used by him are currently upheld by the broadcasting journalists so as to give their audience the right information basing on the prevailing environmental occurrences.

Review of the Literature

The broadcasting of the information is usually a task of the journalists and is done through the media, this is attributed to the actions of Murrow and as a result most individuals prefer relying to the broadcasted news as the journalists follow the same ethical and moral values in the presentation of information; this is traced back to the truthful information that Murrow was giving the people; he is said to have explored wider regions within and outside the United States so as to present to the public or the audience truthful information. The presentation of information that he made was revolutionary, this is attributed to the fact that he began with the uncensored radio presentations before developing and finally coming up with the TV presentations that provided the individuals with both the audio and the visual data that enhanced their understanding. This made Murrow to gain popularity in the broadcasting of the incisive information to the individuals, he traveled to the actual scenes to view the events or the situations by himself before he made any reposts; this is evidenced by his report on the bombings that resulted from the wars (Edwards, 2004, p. 185).

The information he presented was very clear due to the linguistic proficiency that he had gained from the college as he trained in speech and therefore his broadcasts were nice to be heard due to the effectiveness in the radio broadcasts that he made.

The varied programs that were offered on the radio provided an opportunity for most individuals to be keen with the occurrences, for instance the programs like See it Now, This I Believe and Hear it Now. All these programs were aimed at enlightening the individuals on the happenings and giving them chances or opportunities to talk about their feelings and perceptions on the prevailing conditions or the events that were taking place (Fellow, 2009, p.46).

From the analysis of the compiled information regarding Murrow, it is noted that he was not a person of high esteem and famous, however with the inventions and innovations in the journalism and broadcasting sector, he won many awards and therefore his profile was upgraded even when he was given the presidential medal award of freedom in 1964. This was the highest American civilian honor that an ordinary individual could be given, he also won other nine national Emmys for his effectiveness in the field of journalism.

Murrow was a determined personality as he strived to ensure that the individuals receive the right information and this was a push factor that made him fight for the allowance of the CBS radio to present the recorded sound. He also went to an extend of risking his life especially during the wars and the frequent conflicts that were associated with the recurrent bombings as he made it certain that the world is informed of the fact that Britain was being bombed and therefore made it easier for the Americans to understand what was really going on in the war.

In spite of his proficiency in the development and analysis of the data or news, he was also exposed to some identifiable risks which were his weaknesses, for instance it is noted that sometimes his prejudices or the negative attitudes towards certain aspects and opinions prevented him from making the analysis of the information and also gathering of the data that made his presentation of the data unreliable at some points; he is also accused of being liberal and therefore this trait was also portrayed as one of his flaws (Boyd, 2008, p. 132)

However, in spite of the outlined weaknesses, Murrow’s efforts in the establishment of the radio and TV broadcasting journalism is an invaluable aspect in the communication and media sector as it is presently the core field that employs mass numbers of the individuals and relied upon for the truthful presentation of the news regarding the happenings in almost all the accessible places world wide.

Research Hypothesis

This research paper is intended to conduct a study on the actions Murrow as the pioneer of the broadcast journalism that is currently in use. From the articles and the books analyzed it is clearly shown that he did his professional work with integrity as he sacrificed even his life in a bid to get the bet possible news that was deemed necessary and suitable for the individuals. By way of example it is noted that Murrow was the pioneer in the implementation of the standards and ethics or morals to be followed in the presentation of data or news to the public. The ideology of issuing truthful and correct news to the individuals even if it means risking ones life, updating the individuals on the events from all parts of the globe and presenting the information timely are some of the principles that were outlined by Murrow and have ever since been adopted by the TV and radio broadcasters. This significantly is the core factor that is assessed in this research paper.

Research Design and Methodology

This research paper is purely historical and therefore the information regarding Murrow is derived from the internet sources, books and articles/journals. The research instrument that is used is the analysis of the information from the secondary sources of data. This is the suitable model as it is the only convenient method of data collection that can be applied in this context. However, it has a limitation as the information in the secondary sources may not be well organized and therefore makes it tiresome for the person conducting the research to logically arrange the information with regard to the set requirements. In spite of this disadvantage, the researcher can be in a position to assess the actions of Murrow as regards the journalism and broadcasting that he pioneered and which is now relied on by all people both directly and indirectly either for earning a living or just for getting informational updates (Edwards, 2004, p. 185).

Findings

The analysis of the data in the books, journals and the internet source comply with the factual assertion that Murrow is the founding father of broadcasting journalism. He is also said to have done all that was necessary, even to an extent of risking his life; he went to the war scenes just to get the factual and truthful information to his audience. Murrow also used vivid descriptions and proper vocal projections in speech so as to capture the attention of the listeners during broadcasting and this made him gain popularity, he won nine national awards from different nations and also the presidential freedom award in 1964. He is also said to have involved people on the respective radio and TV broadcasts in programs like Person to Person and This I Believe to make it certain that the individuals discuss their pertinent issues openly on air so that the information may reach many people and in this case broadcasting journalism was in use.

From the thesis statement of the research, it is also found out that the factors of ethical concerns, moralities and the upholding of the standards in the presentation of the information are among the principles that Murrow followed in the analysis of the information that he broadcasted to the individuals; this has also been upheld up to date, this is indicates by the truthfulness of the news that is broadcasted via radios and the televisions in the current states.

Discussion

Murrow deserves tribute for the invaluable lot of work that he did in the communication sector. The introduction of the TV and radio broadcasts in journalism is one of the technological advancements that have made it possible for the world to be considered as a small village due to globalization. This has an insinuation that an individual is in a position to be acquainted with news from another region through the broadcasts. The implementation of the innovative and inventive skills in the mass media of Murrow has also positively impacted on the lifestyles of the individuals. For instance, people are directly or indirectly employed in the broadcasting and journalism field and they subsequently earn income from this (Boyd, 2008, p. 132).

However, there are cases when unscrupulous individuals also, due to the effect of the human flaws, spread propaganda through the broadcasting since they do not get the first hand information but rely on the data presented by the other people; in this case the information may be distorted and its truthfulness may thus be questionable. The information broadcasted can only be termed valid and truthful if the researcher or the journalist is the one broadcasting the information, just as it was the case with Murrow who went to an extent of risking his life by traveling to tragic places where there were bomb shells to collect and then broadcast the news to the audience.

Conclusion

The radio and television broadcasting that was pioneered by Edward R Murrow has a direct influence of the broadcasting and journalism in the current world affairs. This is portrayed by the adherence of the broadcasters and the journalists to the principles or the ethical and moral values that were laid down by Murrow. Just like the Americans depended on him for his extensive coverage of the information, even today the reporters use the skills and tactics and moral guidelines in the presentation of the news to the audience truthfully. Journalistic courage and integrity are still the competencies that individuals who have intentions of becoming broadcasters or journalists, this therefore has an insinuation that the activities of Murrow as far as the inventions of the radio and TV broadcasting are concerned have great influence on the present media and communication systems (Time Magazine).

Reference:

“Edward R. Murrow: This Reporter.” February 2, 2007. http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/episodes/edward-r-murrow/this-reporter/513/ (accessed June 26, 2010).

Edwards, B, 2004, Edward R. Murrow and the birth of broadcast journalism Turning points Volume 12 of Turning Points in History Book TV. New York. Wiley, p. 185.

Fellow, A, 2009, American Media History. Edition2. London, Cengage Learning, p. 46.

Doherty, T, 2003, Cold War, cool medium: television, McCarthyism, and American cultureFilm and culture. New Jersey. Columbia University Press, p. 78.

Boyd, A, 2008, Broadcast journalism: techniques of radio and television news, Edition6, London. Focal Press, p. 132.

Time Magazine, “This is Murrow.” September 30, 1957. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,891371-1,00.html (accessed June 26, 2010)