A. Brad Schwartz
@abradschwartz.bsky.social
Historian of Media, Fake News, and Propaganda. Author/Co-Author of BROADCAST HYSTERIA; SCARFACE AND THE UNTOUCHABLE; ELIOT NESS AND THE MAD BUTCHER. Michigan Wolverine with a Princeton PhD.
Pinned
UPDATE: They passed me!
All thanks to my PhD committee—@zelizer.bsky.social, Paul Starr, @kevinmkruse.bsky.social, and Sam Freedman (not pictured)—for their probing questions and excellent feedback as I work to tell Edward R. Murrow’s story.
(And to Mr. Clooney, for his moral support…)
All thanks to my PhD committee—@zelizer.bsky.social, Paul Starr, @kevinmkruse.bsky.social, and Sam Freedman (not pictured)—for their probing questions and excellent feedback as I work to tell Edward R. Murrow’s story.
(And to Mr. Clooney, for his moral support…)
Mine, too.
The “prosecute the former regime at every level” candidate has my vote in 2028.
January 7, 2026 at 9:08 PM
Mine, too.
“Upon these airwaves, you will see no commercials. The only thing this channel will sell is the lure of learning. …
“Tonight you join me in being present at the birth of a great adventure.”
– Edward R. Murrow on the debut broadcast of WNET public TV, September 1962
youtu.be/-gr-QxU1Sz0?...
“Tonight you join me in being present at the birth of a great adventure.”
– Edward R. Murrow on the debut broadcast of WNET public TV, September 1962
youtu.be/-gr-QxU1Sz0?...
January 5, 2026 at 9:03 PM
“Upon these airwaves, you will see no commercials. The only thing this channel will sell is the lure of learning. …
“Tonight you join me in being present at the birth of a great adventure.”
– Edward R. Murrow on the debut broadcast of WNET public TV, September 1962
youtu.be/-gr-QxU1Sz0?...
“Tonight you join me in being present at the birth of a great adventure.”
– Edward R. Murrow on the debut broadcast of WNET public TV, September 1962
youtu.be/-gr-QxU1Sz0?...
Every member of Congress swore an oath to “support and defend” the Constitution.
Right now, the best way to honor it is to show the world they believe in that document, even if the president doesn’t, by pursuing the proper constitutional remedy: impeachment.
Right now, the best way to honor it is to show the world they believe in that document, even if the president doesn’t, by pursuing the proper constitutional remedy: impeachment.
And whilst the impeachment attempt may fail (and won’t be judged until congress returns) the reason you do it is because it’s the right thing to do and also to clearly and publicly decry Trump and his fascism. You do it to show there is resistance. You do it for your own conscience.
Impeach him now. Submit articles today. Sorry, there's nothing else to do and waiting is madness.
January 3, 2026 at 8:23 PM
Every member of Congress swore an oath to “support and defend” the Constitution.
Right now, the best way to honor it is to show the world they believe in that document, even if the president doesn’t, by pursuing the proper constitutional remedy: impeachment.
Right now, the best way to honor it is to show the world they believe in that document, even if the president doesn’t, by pursuing the proper constitutional remedy: impeachment.
I’ve had this book on my shelf for awhile now, but now I don’t think I need to read it:
January 3, 2026 at 5:05 PM
I’ve had this book on my shelf for awhile now, but now I don’t think I need to read it:
And CITIZEN KANE is one of those films that helps explain how we got where we are.
January 3, 2026 at 2:16 AM
And CITIZEN KANE is one of those films that helps explain how we got where we are.
Perhaps *the* crucial formative experience for Ed Murrow, before he became a CBS reporter, was a post-college job helping academics escape Nazi Germany.
It taught Murrow to value scholarship and American democracy—and trained him to be an advocate for both.
exhibits.wilson.edu/exhibits/sho...
It taught Murrow to value scholarship and American democracy—and trained him to be an advocate for both.
exhibits.wilson.edu/exhibits/sho...
January 3, 2026 at 1:41 AM
Perhaps *the* crucial formative experience for Ed Murrow, before he became a CBS reporter, was a post-college job helping academics escape Nazi Germany.
It taught Murrow to value scholarship and American democracy—and trained him to be an advocate for both.
exhibits.wilson.edu/exhibits/sho...
It taught Murrow to value scholarship and American democracy—and trained him to be an advocate for both.
exhibits.wilson.edu/exhibits/sho...
Edward R. Murrow produced some of the most overtly pro-USA (even propagandistic) news reports you'll ever find, but always with the intention of promoting the values & ideals of American democracy.
Here, for example, is how SEE IT NOW ended a 1952 report on racism directed at a Chinese immigrant. 🗃️
Here, for example, is how SEE IT NOW ended a 1952 report on racism directed at a Chinese immigrant. 🗃️
January 3, 2026 at 1:01 AM
Edward R. Murrow produced some of the most overtly pro-USA (even propagandistic) news reports you'll ever find, but always with the intention of promoting the values & ideals of American democracy.
Here, for example, is how SEE IT NOW ended a 1952 report on racism directed at a Chinese immigrant. 🗃️
Here, for example, is how SEE IT NOW ended a 1952 report on racism directed at a Chinese immigrant. 🗃️
Let's check in with CBS News legend Edward R. Murrow to see how he values "the analysis of academics and elites." 🗃️
January 3, 2026 at 12:05 AM
Let's check in with CBS News legend Edward R. Murrow to see how he values "the analysis of academics and elites." 🗃️
Now that it’s over, I’ve got two good things to say for 2025:
1) It’s the date on my PhD.
2) It’s over.
Wishing everyone a far, far better 2026!
#HappyNewYear
1) It’s the date on my PhD.
2) It’s over.
Wishing everyone a far, far better 2026!
#HappyNewYear
UPDATE: They passed me!
All thanks to my PhD committee—@zelizer.bsky.social, Paul Starr, @kevinmkruse.bsky.social, and Sam Freedman (not pictured)—for their probing questions and excellent feedback as I work to tell Edward R. Murrow’s story.
(And to Mr. Clooney, for his moral support…)
All thanks to my PhD committee—@zelizer.bsky.social, Paul Starr, @kevinmkruse.bsky.social, and Sam Freedman (not pictured)—for their probing questions and excellent feedback as I work to tell Edward R. Murrow’s story.
(And to Mr. Clooney, for his moral support…)
January 1, 2026 at 5:12 AM
Now that it’s over, I’ve got two good things to say for 2025:
1) It’s the date on my PhD.
2) It’s over.
Wishing everyone a far, far better 2026!
#HappyNewYear
1) It’s the date on my PhD.
2) It’s over.
Wishing everyone a far, far better 2026!
#HappyNewYear
Celebrating our imminent escape from 2025 with an episode of my favorite classic radio drama, in which The Shadow must ensure the New Year arrives on schedule. #HappyNewYear
youtu.be/jox9vQKSetY
youtu.be/jox9vQKSetY
The Shadow - The Man Who Murdered Time - January 1, 1939 - Old Time Radio
YouTube video by JR Todd
youtu.be
December 31, 2025 at 11:35 PM
Celebrating our imminent escape from 2025 with an episode of my favorite classic radio drama, in which The Shadow must ensure the New Year arrives on schedule. #HappyNewYear
youtu.be/jox9vQKSetY
youtu.be/jox9vQKSetY
Since it’s that time of year, MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON is also a terrific companion piece to IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE.
Together, they’re an amazing snapshot of America (and American democracy) on either side of WWII.
Together, they’re an amazing snapshot of America (and American democracy) on either side of WWII.
December 28, 2025 at 11:30 PM
Since it’s that time of year, MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON is also a terrific companion piece to IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE.
Together, they’re an amazing snapshot of America (and American democracy) on either side of WWII.
Together, they’re an amazing snapshot of America (and American democracy) on either side of WWII.
Merry Christmas from the Murrows!
(Judging from the address, this would be Janet and Ed Murrow’s first Christmas in London, 1937. Notice how the artwork shows radio, phone lines, and airplanes tying Europe together, less than two years before WWII tore it apart.) 🗃️
(Judging from the address, this would be Janet and Ed Murrow’s first Christmas in London, 1937. Notice how the artwork shows radio, phone lines, and airplanes tying Europe together, less than two years before WWII tore it apart.) 🗃️
A WWII holiday card from Janet and Ed Murrow in London…
December 25, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Merry Christmas from the Murrows!
(Judging from the address, this would be Janet and Ed Murrow’s first Christmas in London, 1937. Notice how the artwork shows radio, phone lines, and airplanes tying Europe together, less than two years before WWII tore it apart.) 🗃️
(Judging from the address, this would be Janet and Ed Murrow’s first Christmas in London, 1937. Notice how the artwork shows radio, phone lines, and airplanes tying Europe together, less than two years before WWII tore it apart.) 🗃️
A timeless Christmas message from today’s other birthday boy, Rod Serling:
December 25, 2025 at 6:02 AM
A timeless Christmas message from today’s other birthday boy, Rod Serling:
Ever wondered where Ed Murrow got his famous line (“Good night, and good luck”)?
He used an early variant on Christmas Eve 1940, 85 years ago tonight.
The full quote is: “Merry Christmas is somehow ill-timed and out of place, so I shall just use the current London phrase—so long and good luck.”
He used an early variant on Christmas Eve 1940, 85 years ago tonight.
The full quote is: “Merry Christmas is somehow ill-timed and out of place, so I shall just use the current London phrase—so long and good luck.”
December 25, 2025 at 2:59 AM
Ever wondered where Ed Murrow got his famous line (“Good night, and good luck”)?
He used an early variant on Christmas Eve 1940, 85 years ago tonight.
The full quote is: “Merry Christmas is somehow ill-timed and out of place, so I shall just use the current London phrase—so long and good luck.”
He used an early variant on Christmas Eve 1940, 85 years ago tonight.
The full quote is: “Merry Christmas is somehow ill-timed and out of place, so I shall just use the current London phrase—so long and good luck.”
“The story of Christmas in England, in the year of the Blitz, 1940.”
A propaganda classic, set 85 years ago tonight… 🗃️
youtu.be/aGK5EsGzKIg?...
A propaganda classic, set 85 years ago tonight… 🗃️
youtu.be/aGK5EsGzKIg?...
Christmas Under Fire (1941) | BFI National Archive
YouTube video by BFI
youtu.be
December 24, 2025 at 8:54 PM
“The story of Christmas in England, in the year of the Blitz, 1940.”
A propaganda classic, set 85 years ago tonight… 🗃️
youtu.be/aGK5EsGzKIg?...
A propaganda classic, set 85 years ago tonight… 🗃️
youtu.be/aGK5EsGzKIg?...
Before America entered WWII, CBS actually did try to balance Murrow’s coverage of the London Blitz with reports from Germany, even after the censors made it impossible to broadcast anything other than Nazi propaganda.
I’d argue the Murrow tradition has always been about challenging bothsidesism.
I’d argue the Murrow tradition has always been about challenging bothsidesism.
“Imagine Murrow getting ready to report from Buchenwald, but being told that the story isn’t ready because there was no one from the SS or Himmler’s staff available.
This is precisely what Bari Weiss just did.”
This is precisely what Bari Weiss just did.”
December 24, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Before America entered WWII, CBS actually did try to balance Murrow’s coverage of the London Blitz with reports from Germany, even after the censors made it impossible to broadcast anything other than Nazi propaganda.
I’d argue the Murrow tradition has always been about challenging bothsidesism.
I’d argue the Murrow tradition has always been about challenging bothsidesism.
Edward R. Murrow wishes his audience a Christmas without fear, at the end of the sixth episode of SEE IT NOW (which aired on this date in 1951). 🗃️
A Christmas message from Edward R. Murrow that seems timelier every year:
"...we hope to remind ourselves, and you, that the first thing the angel said to the shepherd was, 'Fear not.'"
(From SEE IT NOW, CBS-TV, Dec. 23, 1951, archive.org/details/SeeI...) 🗃️
"...we hope to remind ourselves, and you, that the first thing the angel said to the shepherd was, 'Fear not.'"
(From SEE IT NOW, CBS-TV, Dec. 23, 1951, archive.org/details/SeeI...) 🗃️
December 24, 2025 at 1:21 AM
Edward R. Murrow wishes his audience a Christmas without fear, at the end of the sixth episode of SEE IT NOW (which aired on this date in 1951). 🗃️
Went into the Lilly Library to look at Ian Fleming’s original manuscript for GOLDFINGER, and ended up holding John Ford’s Oscar.
December 23, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Went into the Lilly Library to look at Ian Fleming’s original manuscript for GOLDFINGER, and ended up holding John Ford’s Oscar.
Alfonsi is upholding the Murrow legacy here, even if CBS isn’t.
Here’s a (fairly accurate) depiction of Murrow discussing the same issue (the government refusing to comment on a story they don’t like), from GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK:
youtu.be/gJ-Rtt55rls?...
Here’s a (fairly accurate) depiction of Murrow discussing the same issue (the government refusing to comment on a story they don’t like), from GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK:
youtu.be/gJ-Rtt55rls?...
December 23, 2025 at 2:38 AM
Alfonsi is upholding the Murrow legacy here, even if CBS isn’t.
Here’s a (fairly accurate) depiction of Murrow discussing the same issue (the government refusing to comment on a story they don’t like), from GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK:
youtu.be/gJ-Rtt55rls?...
Here’s a (fairly accurate) depiction of Murrow discussing the same issue (the government refusing to comment on a story they don’t like), from GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK:
youtu.be/gJ-Rtt55rls?...
To express his disdain for balancing both sides of a one-sided issue, Edward R. Murrow often quoted something Winston Churchill said to him, about how that would be like giving “equal time to Jesus and to Judas Iscariot.”
The greatest examples of investigative journalism don't adhere to balance.
They center ethically upon accuracy and veracity.
There's a difference.
Ida Tarbell never interviewed John D. Rockefeller for "The History of the Standard Oil Company."
www.wsj.com/business/med...
They center ethically upon accuracy and veracity.
There's a difference.
Ida Tarbell never interviewed John D. Rockefeller for "The History of the Standard Oil Company."
www.wsj.com/business/med...
CBS News Pulls ‘60 Minutes’ Segment; Correspondent Calls Decision Political
The news organization said the segment about the El Salvador prison where the Trump administration sent deportees needed additional reporting.
www.wsj.com
December 22, 2025 at 4:07 AM
To express his disdain for balancing both sides of a one-sided issue, Edward R. Murrow often quoted something Winston Churchill said to him, about how that would be like giving “equal time to Jesus and to Judas Iscariot.”
“We, like everyone else in this business, are going to be judged by what we put on the air; but we also shall be judged by what we don’t broadcast.
“If we pull back on this we’ll have it with us always.”
—Edward R. Murrow, before his McCarthy broadcast, March 1954 (as remembered by Fred Friendly)
“If we pull back on this we’ll have it with us always.”
—Edward R. Murrow, before his McCarthy broadcast, March 1954 (as remembered by Fred Friendly)
December 22, 2025 at 4:00 AM
“We, like everyone else in this business, are going to be judged by what we put on the air; but we also shall be judged by what we don’t broadcast.
“If we pull back on this we’ll have it with us always.”
—Edward R. Murrow, before his McCarthy broadcast, March 1954 (as remembered by Fred Friendly)
“If we pull back on this we’ll have it with us always.”
—Edward R. Murrow, before his McCarthy broadcast, March 1954 (as remembered by Fred Friendly)