UNT Society of Professional Journalists Hosts a Film Screening
By Ashley Justinic
The UNT Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (UNT SPJ) hosted a screening of the film “Good Night, and Good Luck” on campus Thursday evening followed by a guided discussion with guest Chris Vognar, culture critic at the Dallas Morning News.
This was the second of the UNT SPJ’s “Mayborn Goes to the Movies” series. The screenings are intended to promote discussion among the UNT Journalism community. About 40 to 50 people attended the event, most of them journalism students. SPJ provided hot dogs, popcorn, and drinks.
“I felt the movie was very informative. It mirrors the tone we hear as students in the Mayborn,” said graduate broadcast student Brianna Moore.
The 2005 film follows trusted CBS broadcast journalist Edward R. Murrow (played by David Strathairn) as he bravely covers the actions of anti-communist crusader Senator Joseph McCarthy in the 1950’s.
Murrow had been a trusted journalist since his radio coverage of World War II. His later television show “See It Now” drew attention because at that time, CBS was the only station willing to take the stance that McCarthy was out of line. The senator was even allowed to defend himself on the show--a appearance in which he dared to comment that Murrow was “not an important person.”
The back and forth between the trusted Murrow and belligerent McCarthy helped turn the tide of public opinion. At the end of the film we learn that McCarthy is under investigation by the Senate, and Murrow’s show has been shortened and been moved to the less desirable Sunday time slot.
The discussion after the film was initially subdued but turned fruitful. Mark Donald, journalism lecturer at UNT, led the conversation with guest Vogner chiming in. Many of the questions centered on the weightiness of being a journalist, and the responsibility to share the truth no matter what.
One student objected to what he saw as Edward R. Murrow “selling out” by excluding some information from his on-air report. Donald stressed the real-life considerations journalists must keep in mind in order to maintain a job.
Discussion then turned to the need for journalists to self-promote. The speakers recommended that students start building their own personal brand and a online following.
This led into a discussion of the displacement of traditional print media by digital media, which hinted at a divergence in opinions.
