On October 25, 1958, during a special event called "A Salute to Edward R Murrow," George Clooney delivers a speech that references Senator McCarthy among other political figures. The film then shifts back in time to October 14, 1953, taking place within the CBS Studios, where on-screen titles inform viewers that McCarthy has claimed there are over 200 Communists working within the US government. This sets the stage for a tense and politically charged atmosphere surrounding the era of McCarthyism.
The story follows Fred Friendly, Clark Gregg, and the rest of the CBS news team as they prepare for upcoming episodes. During this period, Murrow, played by [George Clooney], openly states his intention to scrutinize the American military. This comes after the military has tried and convicted [Milo Radulovich] because his family members, including his sister and father, were accused of having communist sympathies. Murrow points out that the charges against Radulovich were kept in a sealed envelope, unseen by the public, raising questions about the transparency and fairness of the military tribunals. He emphasizes the need to investigate the story further to determine if it warrants coverage on their show.
Several days later, Joseph Wershba, a CBS correspondent, interviews Radulovich, and the footage is reviewed by [Friendly] and [Sig Mickelson], the CBS director. Mickelson criticizes the report for being unbalanced, accusing Wershba of editorializing—highlighting the tensions between journalistic integrity and corporate influence. Despite pressure from military officials attempting to dissuade CBS from airing the story, the network proceeds with broadcasting the segment on Murrow's program, See It Now.
As the narrative unfolds, the focus narrows onto [McCarthy], portrayed by [George Clooney], with the news team systematically challenging his claims. One notable segment involves McCarthy accusing a man who had received legal representation from the ACLU in 1932 of being a communist—a charge that was tested and debunked during the show. Murrow himself invites Senator McCarthy to appear on the program to defend his accusations, leading to a confrontational exchange. Murrow questions McCarthy's methods and confronts him about the falsehoods and misinformation that characterized his hearings. He highlights that the ACLU, which McCarthy claims to be linked with, was actually praised by several U.S. presidents, contradicting McCarthy's assertions.
Throughout the broadcast, Shirley Wershba reads a series of mostly favorable newspaper reports, but tension arises when a journalist named O'Brien accuses Don Hollenbeck of being a "pinko," a derogatory term implying communist sympathies. The team learns that the Air Force has reinstated Radulovich, reversing its previous decision to dismiss him.
The climax occurs when McCarthy appears live on See It Now on April 6, 1954. Without interruption, McCarthy directly addresses the camera, leveling an unsubstantiated claim that Murrow and his colleagues are communists. This moment signifies the height of McCarthy's aggressive tactics. In response, Murrow makes a powerful rebuttal, explicitly denying that he was a Communist Party member and criticizing McCarthy's methods. He also points out how opposition to McCarthy's tactics is often met with accusations of communism, a tactic used to silence critics.
As the narrative continues, the investigation into McCarthy deepens, leading to charges related to his conduct during the Army–McCarthy hearings. The documentary footage shows [Joseph Welch], the Army's special counsel, challenging McCarthy's lack of decency. Meanwhile, the mood in the newsroom turns somber when [Hollenbeck] is revealed to have committed suicide by gassing himself, highlighting the personal toll of the McCarthy era.
The story concludes with the Army–McCarthy hearings footage and Welch asking McCarthy, >"Have you no sense of decency?"—a pivotal moment that exposes McCarthy's conduct. Following this, William S. Paley, CBS's chief executive, discusses the fallout with Murrow and Friendly, revealing that the network has lost a major sponsor, which results in only five more episodes of See It Now, and a scheduling change moving the program from Tuesday night to Sunday afternoons. Paley privately tells Friendly that layoffs are imminent, asking a staff member, Joseph Wershba, to choose between layoffs, leading Wershba to volunteer to be let go.
In the closing scenes, [Murrow] delivers a heartfelt speech about the importance of ideas and the power of television to inform and enlighten society. He underscores that television has vast potential to serve the public good but warns that if it becomes just "wires and lights in a box," it will lose its meaning. Murrow's closing words serve as a reminder of the crucial role journalism plays in a democracy, ending with his renowned catchphrase, "Good night, and good luck."
This story not only chronicles a pivotal moment in broadcast history but also emphasizes the enduring importance of courage in journalism and the lasting impact of standing up against tyranny and misinformation.
