When a person is in a position of authority, they hold a certain amount of influence and power over a common civilian. Sadly, some authority figures have been known to abuse this power and use it for evil. Senator Joseph R. McCarthy is the victim in this blog.
McCarthy became the most visible public face of a period in which Cold War tensions fueled fears of widespread Communist subversion. He was most notorious for making claims that there were a number of Communists and Soviet spies inside the United States government. His tactics became coined at McCarthyism. His popularity sky rocketed during the early 1950s, as he delivered 30 public addresses in 15 states according to chapter 10, Mightier Than the Sword. As he was appointed to congress, he became the chairman of the Permanent subcommittee on investigations.
McCarthy's ability to manipulate the press was unparalleled. His most successful media technique involved the timing of his claims and accusations, meaning he would wait till a specific time to make his claim to the press. This specific time would not allow the press to verify the validity of claims, leaving them no choice but to publish the slime and slander. This personally makes me wonder how many other authority figures have manipulated news media.
Edward Murrow and the CBS television program "See It Now" (1951) was out to bring down McCarthy and his ways of McCarthyism.
March 9th, 1954 marked the epic moment in journalism and TV history as Murrow and his partner, Fred Friendly (what a name) aired segments of speeches by McCarthy on See It Now. McCarthy was shown as contradicting himself and what he presented to stand for. "The Line between investigation and persecution is a very fine one, and the junior senator from wisconsin has stepped over it repeateadly." said Murrow to the viewing audience after the aired speeches.
The public outcry and critical acclaim declared a juggernaut victory for Murrow, even with a half hour rebuttal from McCarthy where in a desperate measure tried referring to Murrow as a communist. This really opened the American public's eyes to McCarthyism.
The Nail in McCarthy's coffin came 2 months after when the nation received a first hand view of McCarthy's bullying ways in the Army - McCarthy hearings.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAur_I077NA
As McCarthy began his verbal assault on Joseph Welch, the army's special counselor, the Nation began to see McCarthy for the monster that he really was. After's his assault, Welch simply asked "have you no decency sir?" The coverage of this event led to immediate action. In December on 1954, the senators voted against McCarthy 67-22 to strip him of his power. McCarthy passed away 3 years later due to alcohol poisoning.
This goes to show the power the media can have. It has the ability to expose corruption in our government. You better believe there is a lot more to be exposed, the wool cannot be pulled over my eyes. What is more important, doing your job and hiding corruption or exposing it for the greater cause? I believe this question should linger in every aspiring and established journalist's mind. The McCarthy trials have proven TV is essential, when used correctly.
The Nail in McCarthy's coffin came 2 months after when the nation received a first hand view of McCarthy's bullying ways in the Army - McCarthy hearings.
As McCarthy began his verbal assault on Joseph Welch, the army's special counselor, the Nation began to see McCarthy for the monster that he really was. After's his assault, Welch simply asked "have you no decency sir?" The coverage of this event led to immediate action. In December on 1954, the senators voted against McCarthy 67-22 to strip him of his power. McCarthy passed away 3 years later due to alcohol poisoning.
This goes to show the power the media can have. It has the ability to expose corruption in our government. You better believe there is a lot more to be exposed, the wool cannot be pulled over my eyes. What is more important, doing your job and hiding corruption or exposing it for the greater cause? I believe this question should linger in every aspiring and established journalist's mind. The McCarthy trials have proven TV is essential, when used correctly.
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