Marvin Kalb, I haven't heard from or about you in ages. Thank you for this illuminating and timely reminder of what journalism SHOULD be all about. Edward Murrow was fearless in the face of McCarthyism. More Edward Murrows are needed badly.
Jen & Norm have already started, but many more are needed. Too bad none of the owners of the MSM have any balls.
Really enjoyed the insights into Mr. Murrow and the education about his role in defeating McCarthyism. Somewhat distressing to see major news organizations today shying away from basic principles regarding fact, truth, journalism ... and settling out of court with a thinned skinned bully when they know they are in the right. Some independent media, such as the Contrarian are trying to fill that so important need Mr. Murrow referenced.
Marvin Kalb and Dan Rather, both of similar ages and experiences are two of our true journalistic reporters. Their wisdom and observations from years of covering the progress of our country are unmatched.
Indeed we do need another voice with the mind and conviction of Edward R. Murrow today, and as Mr. Kalb notes, there just isn't one. What we have now are closer to celebrity presenters, mostly the fault of the networks as they quest for ratings and profit. He was a family name, along with the rest of the team from (then) WTOP Channel 9 in D.C. From there, we got the CBS network and all of the journalists, reporters, and newsdesk folk of the day. We don't get that kind of coverage today, and he's right - there's a need for it now more than ever. Hat's off to you, sir.
Let me begin where you end with Murrow's definition of democracy. "Two pillars supported this “precious” concept, he said. One was “the sanctity of the courts,” and the other was “freedom of the press.” The wealthy oligarchs and their henchmen (Republican Party and many Democratic politicians, as well) understood that these two pillars must be marginalized for any chance of overthrowing the government.
The wealthy elite (and white supremacists) cleverly crafted a wedge to divide Americans. As you wrote, "To the day he died, Murrow worried constantly about the weakness of Western democracies to populist pressure." Populism is so American and the WOs weaponized populism to their advantage. This is the same game plan that other radical extremists use to undermine governments.
Mr. Kalb, thank you for bringing Mr. Murrow, his work, and his approach to it into such sharp focus. You are right. We need people with that same sense of right and wrong, that same directness, that same courage to speak out and break through the paralysis inflicted by this regime. There are a few -- The Contrarian was born in this fire -- and I can think of one or two others who aren't cowed. I hope their audiences are growing and, more important, listening.
We need people who would LISTEN and BELIEVE a Murrow if we had one. (And if we did not live in the age of alternative facts/truth). I agree that Norm and Jen have made great headway.Also HC Richardson, Robert Hubbell, Joyce Vance,etc ad nauseam.
Thank you, Marvin Kalb, who has always been a powerful force for truth. Please keep informing younger Americans. I recommend everyone watch the movie, "Good Night and Good Luck"!
Just as "these good Germans" became Nazi fanatics, so have our Republicans become the MAGA faithful. But we have an extra hurdle that Edward R. Murrow didn't face; our media landscape has become so fragmented and instantaneous that it's hard for the truth to be heard.
Before a "60 Minutes" interview in 2016, Trump told Lesley Stahl that he bashes the press so that when they write negative stories about him, no one will believe them. Perhaps this is why people go to TikTok for their news.
For those who have never heard of Edward R Murrow (or heard him speak), you can find his radio program and his take-down of McCarthy on YouTube. I listened to it a couple of years ago, and it was breathtaking. The honest, the courage, the power. I encourage all of you to go find it and listen. We need to experience these times to teach us how to be now!
I remember, as a child and a young adult, both Edward R. Murrow and Bernard Kalb. There is no one today, with perhaps one exception that I personally enjoy, who can hold even a candle stub to either of them. Oh, my one pick for anyone approaching their brand of news reporting and commentating currently is Lester Holt.
Yes, I also know that you cannot discuss the panoply of outstanding character in reportage without mentioning Walter Cronkite. He, too, is sadly missed. However, if I start naming others from the past, I will overstay my welcome in this comment.
In response to another Contrarian article earlier today, I said that given the way the Muskrump Regime has ignored any shred of decency, law-abiding action, or ANY of the principles of basic Economics in their rush to turn these once united states into a series of banana-republic silos, they have enabled what could become the fall of democracy in the free world.
God, I hope I am wrong, but until the spineless imitators of a congress grow a pair and realize that the mandate Trump keeps mentioning was the slimmest in history (~1.4%) and that more people actually voted for someone else than for him, we may be doomed.
It is either that or an out and out revolt. Would the Commander in Chief have the United States Armed Forces or the various State National Guards actually attack and fire on citizens who have said with one voice " WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF THIS BS AND WE WANT OUR COUNTRY BACK"?
Thank you Mr. Kalb for bringing back memories of those days during and after WWII.
I remember Edward R Murrow and miss him every day and I apologize. My old eyes are having a terrible time reading this fine print. How i wish even for an automated robotic voice choice. This is so frustrating. Please substack. Help us visually impaired. I'm not dead yet. I don't want to go on the cart.
Marvin Kalb, I haven't heard from or about you in ages. Thank you for this illuminating and timely reminder of what journalism SHOULD be all about. Edward Murrow was fearless in the face of McCarthyism. More Edward Murrows are needed badly.
Jen & Norm have already started, but many more are needed. Too bad none of the owners of the MSM have any balls.
Harrowing but wonderful. Profound thanks to The Contrarian for reaching out to Professor Kalb.
Really enjoyed the insights into Mr. Murrow and the education about his role in defeating McCarthyism. Somewhat distressing to see major news organizations today shying away from basic principles regarding fact, truth, journalism ... and settling out of court with a thinned skinned bully when they know they are in the right. Some independent media, such as the Contrarian are trying to fill that so important need Mr. Murrow referenced.
So glad to see a piece from Marvin Kalb once again. And I could not agree more with his opinion here.
Wonderful to read you here, Marvin Kalb.
And it's vital to spotlight Edward R. Murrow; may we be worthy of his legacy.
Thank you.
Thank you, Mr Kalb, for reminding us what we have to lose and how easy it would be to lose it through cowardice and carelessness.
Marvin Kalb and Dan Rather, both of similar ages and experiences are two of our true journalistic reporters. Their wisdom and observations from years of covering the progress of our country are unmatched.
Indeed we do need another voice with the mind and conviction of Edward R. Murrow today, and as Mr. Kalb notes, there just isn't one. What we have now are closer to celebrity presenters, mostly the fault of the networks as they quest for ratings and profit. He was a family name, along with the rest of the team from (then) WTOP Channel 9 in D.C. From there, we got the CBS network and all of the journalists, reporters, and newsdesk folk of the day. We don't get that kind of coverage today, and he's right - there's a need for it now more than ever. Hat's off to you, sir.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Let me begin where you end with Murrow's definition of democracy. "Two pillars supported this “precious” concept, he said. One was “the sanctity of the courts,” and the other was “freedom of the press.” The wealthy oligarchs and their henchmen (Republican Party and many Democratic politicians, as well) understood that these two pillars must be marginalized for any chance of overthrowing the government.
The wealthy elite (and white supremacists) cleverly crafted a wedge to divide Americans. As you wrote, "To the day he died, Murrow worried constantly about the weakness of Western democracies to populist pressure." Populism is so American and the WOs weaponized populism to their advantage. This is the same game plan that other radical extremists use to undermine governments.
Mr. Kalb, thank you for bringing Mr. Murrow, his work, and his approach to it into such sharp focus. You are right. We need people with that same sense of right and wrong, that same directness, that same courage to speak out and break through the paralysis inflicted by this regime. There are a few -- The Contrarian was born in this fire -- and I can think of one or two others who aren't cowed. I hope their audiences are growing and, more important, listening.
We need people who would LISTEN and BELIEVE a Murrow if we had one. (And if we did not live in the age of alternative facts/truth). I agree that Norm and Jen have made great headway.Also HC Richardson, Robert Hubbell, Joyce Vance,etc ad nauseam.
Thank you, Marvin Kalb, who has always been a powerful force for truth. Please keep informing younger Americans. I recommend everyone watch the movie, "Good Night and Good Luck"!
Just as "these good Germans" became Nazi fanatics, so have our Republicans become the MAGA faithful. But we have an extra hurdle that Edward R. Murrow didn't face; our media landscape has become so fragmented and instantaneous that it's hard for the truth to be heard.
Before a "60 Minutes" interview in 2016, Trump told Lesley Stahl that he bashes the press so that when they write negative stories about him, no one will believe them. Perhaps this is why people go to TikTok for their news.
Mr. Kalb, thank you for speaking to us!
For those who have never heard of Edward R Murrow (or heard him speak), you can find his radio program and his take-down of McCarthy on YouTube. I listened to it a couple of years ago, and it was breathtaking. The honest, the courage, the power. I encourage all of you to go find it and listen. We need to experience these times to teach us how to be now!
I remember, as a child and a young adult, both Edward R. Murrow and Bernard Kalb. There is no one today, with perhaps one exception that I personally enjoy, who can hold even a candle stub to either of them. Oh, my one pick for anyone approaching their brand of news reporting and commentating currently is Lester Holt.
Yes, I also know that you cannot discuss the panoply of outstanding character in reportage without mentioning Walter Cronkite. He, too, is sadly missed. However, if I start naming others from the past, I will overstay my welcome in this comment.
In response to another Contrarian article earlier today, I said that given the way the Muskrump Regime has ignored any shred of decency, law-abiding action, or ANY of the principles of basic Economics in their rush to turn these once united states into a series of banana-republic silos, they have enabled what could become the fall of democracy in the free world.
God, I hope I am wrong, but until the spineless imitators of a congress grow a pair and realize that the mandate Trump keeps mentioning was the slimmest in history (~1.4%) and that more people actually voted for someone else than for him, we may be doomed.
It is either that or an out and out revolt. Would the Commander in Chief have the United States Armed Forces or the various State National Guards actually attack and fire on citizens who have said with one voice " WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF THIS BS AND WE WANT OUR COUNTRY BACK"?
Thank you Mr. Kalb for bringing back memories of those days during and after WWII.
I remember Edward R Murrow and miss him every day and I apologize. My old eyes are having a terrible time reading this fine print. How i wish even for an automated robotic voice choice. This is so frustrating. Please substack. Help us visually impaired. I'm not dead yet. I don't want to go on the cart.
Remembering history is vital now. Thank you for all these details and for the clarion call.