"This... Is Journalism"

Author: Jeff Little

According to The Museum of Broadcast Communications, "Edward R. Murrow is the most distinguished and renowned figure in the history of American broadcast journalism." And most people would agree.

Hailing from North Carolina, Murrow was born in 1908 and attended Washington State College where he majored in Speech and developed an affinity for college politics. The combination of his two passions took him to the annual convention of the National Student Federation of America in 1929 where he gave a speech that would change his life. His eloquent urging for students to take a greater interest in world affairs was so powerful that it led to him becoming president of the organization and prompted him to move to New York.

While in New York he worked as assistant director at the Institute of International Education from 1932-1935. Later he became Director of Talks at CBS and stayed with the network for his entire career in broadcast journalism.

At the time of Murrow's arrival CBS had no news department. So with the help of partner William Shirer (a legendary journalist in his own right) Murrow became instrumental in the birth of broadcast journalism.

Murrow and Shirer would go on to establish a legacy of journalistic courage that seldom exists in the profession today as they broadcast from actual battles taking place in Europe during the Second World War. Murrow's famous radio broadcast lead-in "This…is London" became a phrase known worldwide and made Edward R. Murrow a household name.

As the decade of the 50's dawned, Murrow moved to television where he also revolutionized that medium. See It Now, his weekly television news program laid the groundwork for the typical nightly news broadcasts that now air every day. Employing news correspondents reporting from various locales, Murrow served the show in a role that has come to be commonly known today as "anchorman".

In what has become known as "television's finest hour", Murrow (with the help of future television legends Fred Friendly and Don Hewitt) broadcast a special called "A Report on Senator Joseph McCarthy" that would literally change the history of the world. Airing March 9, 1954, the expose spearheaded the beginning of the end for McCarthy's political career and what has come to be known as "McCarthyism".

Showing his versatility and ability to do more than hard-hitting news, Murrow would later host Person to Person from 1953-1959. The program focused on visits to famous people's homes and highlighted Murrow's love for the art of conversation.

Then, in 1960, once again displaying his characteristic courage and integrity, Edward R. Murrow would broadcast one of his last major pieces for CBS. Airing the night after Thanksgiving (November 25, 1960), Harvest of Shame (a documentary reporting the horrific conditions being endured by migrant farm workers) served as an appropriate end to a history-changing career.

Shortly thereafter, CBS executives (specifically founder Bill Paley) would reap their own "Harvest of Shame". Annoyed by Murrow's honest, straightforward, and sometimes abrasive approach, they created a hostile work environment that prompted Murrow's resignation.

Still determined to improve the human condition, Murrow accepted a presidential appointment from John F. Kennedy in 1961. Murrow became head of the United States Information Agency.

A heavy smoker, Murrow was diagnosed with lung cancer and died in 1965. Having been awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1964, he had achieved an appropriate end to an illustrious life. Edward R. Murrow will never be forgotten.