The Best Lessons of the Life of Edward R. Murrow
Edward R. Murrow was a broadcasting giant and helped promote television as a news broadcasting medium. He relentlessly pursued the truth and managed to withstand adversity. Let’s see how he did it.
Edward R. Murrow has done a lot in his life as a journalist. He became famous during World War II for his frontline reporting, became involved in television broadcasts, where he interviewed hundreds of celebrities and politicians, and also wrote editorials on the evening news discussing important ideas. He died of lung cancer (caused by smoking 60-70 cigarettes a day) in 1965 at the age of 57.
Do what you believe in
Murrow was known for tackling serious issues and was no stranger to conflict. He provoked subjects and did not hesitate to use his editorials to attack anything he considered unjust. Quite frankly, Murrow had no problem fighting for what he believed in, and he staked his job to tell the story. The New York Times obituary on Murrow summarizes his quest for editorial freedom :
His independence was expressed in the fact that he did what he thought should be done on the air, and later worried about the consequences for sponsors, viewers and individual stations. Today, the fruits of his resolve are spoken of by correspondents from all networks; they enjoy a freedom and breadth that others who work in the medium have not yet won.
No moment in Murrow’s career is a better example of his passion for truth than hisongoing battle with Senator Joseph McCarthy over McCarthy ‘s attack on alleged communists. Here’s New York Times television critic Jack Gould :
Mr. Murrow decided to continue the program at a time when passions were heating up in broadcasting over communist sympathizers and deceivers. It was the autonomy of Operation Friendly Murrow, often the source of internal divisions within CBS, that sparked the vital show on the air.
Murrow has always stood up for his beliefs and was not afraid to persecute anyone who, in his opinion, did the wrong thing. While most of us don’t need to worry about this from a journalistic point of view, it’s an idea that we come across every day. Whether you believe in a project or an idea, if you believe in it, it’s worth fighting for.
Your beliefs are always changing
At some point in our lives, we like to think that we know everything about the world, but Murrow knew better. Although he was a self-confident person, he also always tried to remain impartial. It meant being a little humble. In his introductory essay ” This I Believe” for NPR, Murrow states this :
This reporter’s beliefs are constantly changing. It would be easier to list what I don’t believe in than the other way around. And yet, talking with people, listening to them, I came to the conclusion that I do not have a monopoly on solving world problems. Others have their share, often much more than me. It helped me see my own in a truer perspective: and to learn how others face their problems, it gave me fresh ideas on how to solve my problems.
You never know where and when you will find new ideas or a fresh approach to a problem. Different perspectives can help you not only better understand the world, but also reinforce your own ideas. Murrow suggests keeping your mind open and seeking the truest point of view on any problem, no matter where it may come from.
You are not the smartest person in the world
In the era of Facebook and Twitter, it’s easy to think that now that your voice can spread around the world, it’s worth talking about. It’s easy to forget that this also means that our most idiotic ideas spread just as quickly. In the 60 Minutes tribute to Murrow , fellow journalist Mike Wallace quotes his favorite piece of advice Murrow gave him:
You must remember that just because your voice is carried around the world, you are no wiser than when it reaches the end of the measure.
While Murrow’s advice was clearly intended for Wallace on a journalistic level, it applies to everyone, everywhere. Our voices are louder than ever, but that doesn’t mean we’re smarter than we were 50 years ago.
Explain ideas clearly by introducing yourself at a dinner party
Reporters are often tasked with explaining difficult news and staying calm in any situation. Murrow succeeded in this, he did not lose his judgment in all situations, while transmitting the news in a form understandable to all. His approach to this was simple: imagine yourself at a dinner party :
After dinner … the owner asks you: “Well, how was it?” As you speak, the maid hands over the coffee, and her boyfriend, the truck driver, waits for her in the kitchen and listens. You should describe things in terms that are understandable to the driver, without offending the professor’s intellect.
It’s a simple idea, but it works. Be mindful of your audience and make sure you never inadvertently offend whoever you are talking to (or over the head of others). It takes time to perfect this approach, but it’s worth it.