Industry Leaders

50 Years of Murrow

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On October 15, 1958, veteran broadcaster Edward R. Murrow delivered his famous "wires and lights in a box" speech before attendees of the RTNDA convention. This year, RTDNA marks two anniversaries in the life of the renowned journalist: the 50th anniversary of his speech, and what would've been his 100th birthday.

Learn about the year of activities in "What Would Murrow Do?" President's Column, February 2008 issue of Communicator.

RTDNF’s Wires and Lights in a Box: Murrow’s Legacy and the Future of Electronic News Summit brought together leaders in the industry, from managers responsible for the bottom line�to journalists on the front line. The mission was to address with candor the realities and future of broadcast journalism. Read Person to Person by Ellen Hunt in which she writes about a three day summit on Edward R. Murrow sponsored by the McCormick Foundation, featured in the September/October 2008 issue of Communicator. Hear clips from this three day summit by clicking here, and view video and photos here.

Read the 1958 speech text .
Hear audio clips of the speech.

Murrow's Connection to RTDNA

* About "Wires and Lights," by Ann Sperber, Communicator, September 1995.
* Watching Paley Read Murrow's Speech, by Sig Mickelson, Communicator, September 1995.
* Murrow Receives '64 Paul White Award, by Bill Monroe, RTNDA Bulletin,
December 1964.
* About the Murrow Stamp, by Jack Rosenthal, Communicator, November 1993.
* View the Murrow stamp.
* Edward R. Murrow obit, RTNDA Bulletin, May 1965.

Murrow Resources

Hear It Now: Wires and Lights in a Box: Murrow's Legacy and the Future of Electronic News

Click below to hear clips of various discussions from the Wires and Lights in a Box: Murrow's Legacy and the Future of Electronic News summit that took place in at the Cantigny Estate outside Chicago, June 2-4, 2008. The panel was moderated Bob Edwards, host, XM Satellite Radio, Washington.

Host at XM Satellite Radio Bob Edwards and NewsLab's Deborah Potter in Washington introduce the panel that spoke about Murrow's legacy

Former Washington bureau chief of CBS news and former president of NBC News Bill Small was the RTNDA Program Chair for the Convention when Murrow gave the "wires and lights in a box" speech. Hear him speak of the history of the famous speech and the reactions that came as a result.

The panel discusses the role of sponsorship in the news and how funding plays a part in the topics covered. (Part 1 of 2)

The panel discusses the role of sponsorship in the news and how funding plays a part in the topics covered. (Part 2 of 2)

Edwards and the panel discuss the integrity of reporters. Small recalls when Murrow and Roosevelt first heard of the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the events that unfolded.

Disecting parts of Murrow's speech, the panel talks about the subject behind Murrow's "mortal danger" warning: was it news? the state of the world? or the sinister atomic age?

The panel delves into the expectation of television news and how it has shifted throughout the years.

During RTNDA@NAB 2008, panelists asked: If Edward R. Murrow were alive today, how would he handle the swirl of ethics questions in today's media?

See It Now: RTNDF/BEA/NABEF Super Session:
What Would Murrow Do?

Video Clips: (mouse over the image and click to play video)

Meet the panelists of the super session, and hear about ABC News correspondent John Cochran's personal encounter with the legendary Edward R. Murrow.

The panel discusses Murrow's stand on how journalists should cover controversial topics that affect the public, and seeking the truth at all times.

What role does funding play in the independence of news? The panel analyzes Murrow's cautioning on choosing financial supporters.

The panel discusses how to continue to use new media as an inspiration and educational tool. With even more media bombarding the public today, does Murrow's sentiment still remain relevant?

Murrow quotes that the media has a responsibility to illuminate rather than agitate, to not shy away from controversial subjects. Given this, what would he have said the months leading up to the Iraq War? What role should the press play in seeking the truth?

The panelists answer questions from members of the audience that include topics like embedded journalists, censorship, fragmentation of the media, closing bureaus and wire services.