Broadcasting Legends Talk Murrow and More With SMPA Students

Former CBS News Chief Diplomatic Correspondent Marvin Kalb and director Robert Vitarelli attended an evening devoted to legendary broadcaster Edward R. Murrow hosted by SMPA professors Mike Freedman and Kerric Harvey in the Jack Morton Auditorium last night. The evening started with a presentation of George Clooney’s “Good Night and Good Luck” and concluded with a discussion with Kalb and Vitarelli on everything from working with Murrow to the future of journalism.

Kalb and Vitarelli discussed the realistic recreation of the 1950s newsroom in Clooney’s Academy Award-nominated film, especially the environment of fear and suspicion at CBS News during McCarthy era America.

The only major inconsistency between film and reality that the distinguished speakers highlighted was the downplay of Clooney’s Fred Friendly character. While their memories of Friendly are of a larger-than-life personality, Kalb and Vitarelli claimed Clooney made a reasonable choice in his more modest acting approach so as to not distract from the Murrow character.

As the last correspondent personally hired by Murrow, Kalb has quite a unique perspective on the renowned newsman. Kalb advised the aspiring journalists in the crowd to use Murrow as an example of reporting at its finest. “There will never be another Murrow,” said Kalb. “Don’t try to be him.”

Kalb lamented the emphasis on speed over quality in the modern news environment, suggesting the journalism students in the audience take their time and craft well written stories rather than turn in hurried or inaccurate copy.

Kalb and Vitarelli ended on an optimistic note, encouraging the students to value producing a good program over simply getting air time. Kalb concluded that the most important lesson from Murrow and “Good Night and Good Luck” is to fight for a story worth telling.