Good night, and good luck

Tuesday, July 01, 2008 T: 22 55

This is a quote by Mr Murrows taken from the move ‘Good luck and Good Night’ on television and responsible journalism.

I began by saying that our history will be what we make it. If we go on as we are, history will take its revenge, and retribution will not limp in catching up with us.

Just once in a while let us exalt the importance of ideas and information. Let us dream to the extent of saying that on a given Sunday night the time normally occupied by Ed Sullivan is given over to a clinical survey of the state of American education, and a week or two later the time normally used by Steve Allen is devoted to a thoroughgoing study of American policy in the Middle East.

Would the corporate image of their respective sponsors be damaged?

Would the shareholders rise up in their wrath and complain?

Would anything happen other than a few million people would have received some illumination on subjects that may well determine the future of this country and therefore the future of corporations?

To those who say people wouldn't look; they wouldn't be interested; they're too complacent, indifferent and insulated, I can only reply: There is, in one reporter's opinion, considerable evidence against that contention. But even if they are right, what have they got to lose? Because if they are right, and this instrument is good for nothing but to entertain, amuse and insulate, then the tube is flickering now and we will soon see that the whole struggle is lost. This instrument can teach, it can illuminate; yes, and it can even inspire. But it can do so only to the extent that humans are determined to use it to those ends. Otherwise it is merely wires and lights in a box. Good night, and good luck.

Sometimes it is very comforting to know there’s always a few great people, wise people out there fighting for what is right. I can’t help but always wonder if the majority of people really care about the larger picture other their own short-termed personal gain. When you look at those candidates running for presidency debating each other on TV, and then how polls can change because of a wrong usage of certain word, you wonder if people are simply naïve and gullible by nature.

As a broadcaster, Mr Murrows certainly represent some of the more responsible and aspiring ones. The question if he will be able to reach out to people. We the audience the people sitting in the front of the TV will have to decide if we prefer informative insights to the real world to just pure comedic entertainment.

Which group of people do you belong to?