DISTINGUISHED JOURNALISTS READ Former NBC correspondent Sander Vanocur was joined by former CBS correspondents Robert Pierpoint and Murray Fromson, and author/journalist Lou Cannon, in the reading of the new book “Good Night And Good Luck” by George Clooney and Grant Heslov at the Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic in Santa Barbara on Wednesday, March 1st, 2006. During a reception before the reading, the organization’s Executive Director, Tim Owens, welcomed the distinguished journalists and invited them to share stories about fellow journalists Edward R. Murrow and Fred Friendly, who are the central characters of the Academy Award nominated movie. The book and movie are based on a real story of how Edward R. Murrow, who remains as one of the cornerstones of broadcast journalism, used his television show “See It Now” to help bring down Senator Joseph McCarthy. During the mid-1950s, McCarthy was on a witch-hunt like campaign using Senate hearings to discredit many law-biding Americans, labeling them as communists or communist sympathesizers. Lou Cannon remembered watching the hearings on television at the time. “McCarthy called one of the greatest generals we ever had, Gen. George Marshall, a traitor,” recalled Cannon. “What Murrow did to McCarthy is not really appreciated today, because no one was raising a voice against McCarthy,” said Sander Vanocur. “It was a great moment for America.” Murray Fromson, who along with Robert Pierpoint was actually hired by Murrow, responded, “Today we are a much more hesitant society, a much more frightened society.” All the journalists agreed there is a great need for journalists to be better journalists: to question and speak out more. Pointing out that Murrow’s stature as a great journalist has not waned in the decades since his death, Executive Director, Tim Owens described Ed Murrow as a man who knew the power of words. “He knew that words, and understanding them, were the keys to a strong and meaningful democracy for America,” said Owens. “And it was through his journalistic principals of fairness and truth he sought to inform a nation so its people could make informed decisions.” Owens continued, “At Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic, we also understand the power of words, especially the printed word. That’s why our vision is to give everyone access to the printed word so that they too can be knowledgeable and make informed decisions.” RFB&D records audio textbooks for those with print disabilities and visual impairments including blindness, dyslexia or physical disabilities. These books are made available to thousands of students around the country and hundreds of students and schools locally. Founded 30 years ago in 1976, RFB&D in Santa Barbara is one of twenty-one chapters scattered throughout the country. The organization is headquartered in Princeton, New Jersey, where there is a lending library of over 100,000 audio books. Books are read and recorded by more than 200 volunteers in Santa Barbara and thousands more nationally. For more information about RFB&D, volunteer opportunities and the organization’s annual Record-A-Thon (April 24-29, 2006), call 805-681-0531 or visit the website at www.rfbd.org/SB.htm. UPCOMING EVENTS
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© 2008 Bonnie Carroll, All Rights Reserved
