”ليلة طيبة وحظا سعيدا“ للصحفيين

”ليلة طيبة وحظا سعيدا“ للصحفيين

في واحدة من أكثر الفترات قلقا في تاريخ الولايات المتحدة المعاصر (بعد أحداث 11 سبتمبر/أيلول 2001 والحرب على العراق)، عرض فيلم "ليلة طيبة وحظا سعيدا" للمخرج جورج كلوني الذي قام بالتمثيل فيه إلى جانب كتابة نصه مع غرانت هيسلوف. يروي هذا الفيلم قصة صراع الصحفي إدوارد مورو مع جوزيف مكارثي، أشرس عضو يميني في الكونغرس الأميركي في الفترة ما بين عامي 1947 و1957، وهو الذي قاد حملات واسعة للتخلص من خصومه السياسيين فراح يتهمهم بموالاة الشيوعية. كان من أبرز ضحايا هذه السياسة المكارثية جمهور واسع من الصحفيين والكتاب والإعلاميين والمثقفين. يمكن القول إن الفيلم -مع أنه في ظاهره كان سيرة ذاتية- قد فتح أحد أهم الملفات الشائكة في الصحافة.. وهو علاقة الإعلام بالسلطة.

مكارثي الذي جاء في طليعة المحافظين مطلع خمسينيات القرن الماضي، وجد بيئة خصبة لتحقيق طموحاته الشخصية إبان الحرب الباردة. فالظروف السياسية المحيطة بالولايات المتحدة مع تفشّي حالة "الرعب الأحمر" من تمدد الاتحاد السوفياتي، أو التخوّف من ضربات نووية في بلد لم يتعافَ بعدُ من تبعات "الكساد الكبير"، شكّل كل ذلك حاضنة لتحقيق المآرب السياسية، حيث أصبح مكارثي المُخلّص المنتظر من شرّ الشيوعيين وأفعالهم، مما أكسبه تعاطفا شعبيا واسعا، ودعما سلطويا نافذا ضرب به كل أعدائه وحاصر به جلّ الحريات، خاصة الصحفية منها.

اعتمد مكارثي في سياسته المقيدة للصحافة على صناعة الرعب وتزوير الحقائق والتشهير بالمعارضين وشيطنة كل الآراء المناهضة له تحت تهمة "معاداة أميركا" والتواطؤ مع الاتحاد السوفياتي. وتعاظمت الملاحقات الأمنية للجنة مكارثي حتى سميت تلك الحقبة باسمه (المكارثية)، ومن هنا أضيف هذا المصطلح إلى قاموس السياسة والإعلام لتوصيف أي عمل يقوم به شخص ما أو جهة بعينها لترهيب الآخرين ثقافيا أو ملاحقة من يعتنق فكرا مناوئا للسلطة.. أفعال من شأنها اغتيال الخصوم السياسيين معنويا. ومن أبرز ضحايا المكارثية آنذاك الكتاب الصحفيون والمثقفون من أمثال الممثل والمخرج شارلي شابلن، والموسيقار السينمائي ألمر برنشتاين، وعالم الفيزياء ألبرت آينشتاين، والروائي هوارد فاست، وغيرهم.

 

السيناتور جوزيف مكارثي – غيتي إميجيز
السيناتور جوزيف مكارثي – غيتي إميجيز

الصحافة المناهضة للمكارثية موضوع فيلم "ليلة طيبة وحظا سعيدا". إدوارد مورو صحفي بارع حاول استئصال السرطان المتفشي في كبد الصحافة بسبب السياسات التضليلية التي انتهجت آنذاك، خاطر مع مجموعة من الصحفيين المحترفين بمستقبلهم المهني لمواجهة الاستبداد المكارثي، إذ أقدم مورو ومن معه بعرض خبر لاذع ينتقد القائمة السوداء التي فرضها مكارثي على المواطنين الأميركيين. وقد اعتبرت خطوة مورو هجوما غير مسبوق، حتى إن رئيس محطة "سي.بي.أس" آنذاك وليام بالي أخبره بوضوح بأن "عملك بالأساس هو قراءة الأخبار، وليس من شأنك صناعتها"، إلا أن مورو بحسّه الصحفي ووعيه الكبير كان يؤمن بدور أكبر يحتم عليه الحراك في حال تلمس الخطأ.

من هنا بدأت ملحمة الصراع بين الصحفي والسلطة. الفيلم الذي عرض باللونين الأبيض والأسود سيعيدك إلى فترة الخمسينيات مباشرة، لكنه لن يدعك تفلت دون عقد مقارنة مع واقع الصحافة اليوم، وما آلت إليه في الإعلام الأميركي أو في إعلام المنطقة العربية، خاصة في الفترات الحرجة التي صاحبت موسم الهجرة إلى الثورات.

"نحن الآن أثرياء مرتاحون وراضون، ولكن لدينا حساسية ضد المعلومة غير السارة أو المقلقة.. إعلامنا الجماهيري الاستهلاكي يستغل هذا بشكل رئيسي لصرف انتباهنا وتضليلنا وتسليتنا وعزلنا.. إن التلفاز وأولئك الذين يمولونه ويشاهدونه ويعملون فيه، سيرون الحقيقة مختلفة كليا بعد فوات الأوان". بدأ الفيلم بهذه الكلمات الحاسمة التي غلب عليها الهدوء على لسان مورو في حفل تكريم له نهاية العام 1958 بعد معركته الطويلة مع جوزيف مكارثي.

يقول "نحن لسنا منحدرين من سلالة رجال جبناء خائفين، خائفين من الكتابة، خائفين من المشاركة، خائفين من الكلام ومن الدفاع عن القضايا التي آمنوا بها.. لم يعد هناك مجال للسكوت". كأن مورو بخطابه يلقي وصية المقاتل فيما اعتقد أنه الدور الذي يجب على الصحافة تأديته، سلطة تكشف الحقائق أمام زيف الأكاذيب المدمرة.

اختفى ذكر السيناتور اليميني، لكن المكارثية لم تغب.. يمكننا تلمس تنامي هذه الظاهرة من خلال نتائجها المنعكسة على أرض الواقع، خاصة مع تصاعد اليمين لدى المحافظين الجدد في ظلّ فراغ سياسي ملموس، ورواج واسع لنزعات التطرف المتعاظمة مع موجات الاحتراب الممتدة في مختلف أنحاء العالم.

 

More Articles

The Whispers of Resistance in Assad’s Reign

For more than a decade of the Syrian revolution, the former regime has employed various forms of intimidation against journalists—killing, interrogations, and forced displacement—all for a single purpose: silencing their voices. Mawadda Bahah hid behind pseudonyms and shifted her focus to environmental issues after a "brief session" at the Kafar Soussa branch of Syria’s intelligence agency.

Mawadah Bahah
Mawadah Bahah Published on: 18 Feb, 2025
Charged with Being a Journalist in Sudan

Between the barricades of the conflicting parties, sometimes displaced, and sometimes hiding from bullets, journalist Iman Kamal El-Din lived the experience of armed conflict in Sudan and conveyed to Al-Sahafa magazine the concerns and challenges of field coverage in a time of deception and targeting of journalists.

Iman Kamal El-Din is a Sudanese journalist and writer
Eman Kamal El-Din Published on: 2 Feb, 2025
Sports Photojournalism in Cameroon: A Craft at Risk in the Digital Age

Sports photojournalists in Cameroon face growing challenges, from the rise of mobile photography and content creators to financial struggles, piracy, and a widespread expectation for free images. Despite these obstacles, professionals emphasise the need for innovation, investment in training, and greater respect for their craft to ensure the survival of photojournalism in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Akem
Akem Nkwain Published on: 30 Jan, 2025
The Occupation’s War on Journalism in the West Bank

Every day here is a turning point; every moment, every step outside the house could mean returning safely—or not. A journalist may be injured or arrested at any time.” This statement by journalist Khaled Bdeir succinctly captures the harsh reality of practicing journalism in the West Bank, particularly after October 7.

Hoda Abu Hashem
Hoda Abu Hashem Published on: 26 Jan, 2025
From Journalism to Agriculture or “Forced Unemployment” for Sudanese Journalists

How did the war in Sudan push dozens of journalists to change their professions in search of a decent life? In this article, colleague Muhammad Shaarawi recounts the journey of journalists who were forced by war conditions to work in agriculture, selling vegetables, and other professions.

Shaarawy Mohammed
Shaarawy Mohammed Published on: 23 Jan, 2025
Fake Accounts with Arab Faces: "A Well-Organized Cyber Army"

Israel has launched a digital war against Palestinians by flooding social media with fake accounts designed to spread disinformation, distort narratives, and demonize Palestinian resistance. These accounts, often impersonating Arabs and mimicking regional dialects, aim to create fake public opinion, promote division among Arab nations, and advance the Israeli agenda in the digital space.

Linda Shalash
Linda Shalash Published on: 29 Dec, 2024
Citizen Journalism in Gaza: "The Last Witness"

With a phone camera, Abboud Battah appears every day from northern Gaza, documenting the crimes of the occupation in a language that is not devoid of spontaneity that led to his being arrested. When the Israeli occupation closed Gaza to the international press, killed journalists, and targeted their headquarters, the voice of the citizen journalist remained a witness to the killing and genocidal war.

Razan Al-Hajj
Razan Al-Hajj Published on: 25 Dec, 2024
A Survivor Interview should not be Considered a Scoop

Do ethical and professional standards allow for interviewing survivors while they are in a state of trauma? How should a journalist approach victims, away from sensationalism and the pursuit of exclusivity at the expense of their dignity and right to remain silent?

Lama Rajeh
Lama Rajeh Published on: 23 Dec, 2024
Censorship, Militarisation, and Dismantlement: How Public Media Became a Political Battlefield in Latin America

Public media in Latin America, such as Brazil's EBC and Argentina's Télam, are being undermined through militarisation and dismantlement, threatening their role as public institutions. These actions jeopardise media independence and weaken their ability to serve the public interest, posing a serious risk to democracy.

Rita Freire Published on: 19 Dec, 2024
Independent Syrian Journalism: From Revolution to Assad's Fall

Independent Syrian journalism played a pivotal role in exposing regime corruption and documenting war crimes during the 13-year revolution, despite immense risks to journalists, including imprisonment, assassination, and exile. Operating from abroad, these journalists pioneered investigative and open-source reporting, preserving evidence, and shaping narratives that challenged the Assad regime's propaganda.

Ahmad Haj Hamdo
Ahmad Haj Hamdo Published on: 17 Dec, 2024
Journalists and the Gen–Z protest in Kenya

Caught between enraged protesters and aggressive police officers, journalists risked their lives to keep the world informed about the Gen–Z protests in Kenya. However, these demonstrations also exposed deeper issues regarding press freedom, highlighting a troubling aspect of Ruto’s government.

Shuimo Trust Dohyee
Shuimo Trust Dohyee Published on: 12 Dec, 2024
Behind the Burka: Journalism and Survival Under Taliban Rule

An account of a female Afghan journalist who persisted in her work in spite of the Taliban's comeback, using her writing to expose the harsh realities of oppression and promote women's rights. In defiance of the Taliban government's prohibitions on female education, she oversaw underground schools for girls and reported under a pseudonym while constantly fearing for her safety.

Khadija Haidary
Khadija Haidary Published on: 8 Dec, 2024
Fact or Fiction? Quantifying the 'Truth' in True-Crime Podcasts

Over the centuries, true crime narratives have migrated across mediums—from tabloids and books to documentaries, films, and, most recently, podcasts. Despite these evolutions, one constant endures: the storytellers’ drive to detail the darkest corners of human behaviour and the insatiable curiosity of their audiences.

Suvrat Arora
Suvrat Arora Published on: 28 Nov, 2024
Why Are Journalists Being Silenced in Kashmir?

Since the revocation of Article 370 in 2019, press freedom in Indian-administered Kashmir has sharply declined, with local journalists facing harassment, surveillance, and charges under anti-terror laws, while foreign correspondents are denied access or deported for critical reporting. These measures, aimed at controlling the region’s narrative and projecting normalcy, have drawn widespread criticism from international watchdogs, who warn of increasing suppression of both domestic and foreign media.

headshot
AJR Correspondent Published on: 27 Nov, 2024
Gender Inequity in Sports Reporting: Female Journalists Demand Equality

Gender inequality persists in sports journalism, with female reporters significantly under-represented, as shown by studies revealing that only 5.1% of sports articles are written by women. Advocates call for equal representation, more inclusive hiring practices, and a broader focus on women's sports to challenge stereotypes, improve coverage, and give women a stronger voice in shaping sports narratives.

Akem
Akem Nkwain Published on: 18 Nov, 2024
Challenging the Narrative: Jeremy Scahill on the Need for Adversarial Journalism

Investigative journalist Jeremy Scahill calls for a revival of "adversarial journalism" to reinstate crucial professional and humanitarian values in mainstream Western media, especially regarding the coverage of the Gaza genocide.

Mohammad Zeidan
Mohammad Zeidan Published on: 10 Nov, 2024
Monitoring of Journalistic Malpractices in Gaza Coverage

On this page, the editorial team of the Al Jazeera Journalism Review will collect news published by media institutions about the current war on Gaza that involves disinformation, bias, or professional journalistic standards and its code of ethics.

A picture of the Al Jazeera Media Institute's logo, on a white background.
Al Jazeera Journalism Review Published on: 23 Oct, 2024
A Year of Genocide and Bias: Western Media's Whitewashing of Israel's Ongoing War on Gaza

Major Western media outlets continue to prove that they are a party in the war of narratives, siding with the Israeli occupation. The article explains how these major Western media outlets are still refining their techniques of bias in favor of the occupation, even a year after the genocide in Palestine.

Mohammad Zeidan
Mohammad Zeidan Published on: 9 Oct, 2024
Testimonies of the First Witness of the Sabra & Shatila Massacre

The Sabra and Shatila massacre in 1982 saw over 3,000 unarmed Palestinian refugees brutally killed by Phalangist militias under the facilitation of Israeli forces. As the first journalist to enter the camps, Japanese journalist Ryuichi Hirokawa provides a harrowing first-hand account of the atrocity amid a media blackout. His testimony highlights the power of bearing witness to a war crime and contrasts the past Israeli public outcry with today’s silence over the ongoing genocide in Gaza.

Mei Shigenobu مي شيغينوبو
Mei Shigenobu Published on: 18 Sep, 2024
Journalist Mothers in Gaza: Living the Ordeal Twice

Being a journalist, particularly a female journalist covering the genocide in Palestine without any form of protection, makes practicing journalism nearly impossible. When the journalist is also a mother haunted by the fear of losing her children, working in the field becomes an immense sacrifice.

Amani Shninu
Amani Shninu Published on: 15 Sep, 2024
Anonymous Sources in the New York Times... Covering the War with One Eye

The use of anonymous sources in journalism is considered, within professional and ethical standards, a “last option” for journalists. However, analysis of New York Times data reveals a persistent pattern in the use of “anonymity” to support specific narratives, especially Israeli narratives.

Mohammad Zeidan
Mohammad Zeidan Published on: 8 Sep, 2024
Cameroonian Journalists at the Center of Fighting Illegal Fishing

While the EU’s red card to Cameroon has undeniably tarnished its image, it has paradoxically unlocked the potential of Cameroonian journalists and ignited a movement poised to reshape the future. Through this shared struggle, journalists, scientists, conservationists, storytellers, and government officials have united, paving the way for a new era of ocean advocacy.

Shuimo Trust Dohyee
Shuimo Trust Dohyee Published on: 21 Aug, 2024
The Gaza Journalist and the "Heart and Mind" Struggle

Inside the heart of a Palestinian journalist living in Gaza, there are two personas: one is a human who wants to protect his own life and that of his family, and the other is a journalist committed to safeguarding the lives of the people by holding on to the truth and staying in the field. Between these two extremes, or what journalist Maram Hamid describes as the struggle between the heart and the mind, the Palestinian journalist continues to share a narrative that the occupation intended to keep "away from the camera."

Maram
Maram Humaid Published on: 18 Aug, 2024
Journalists Recount the Final Moments of Ismail Al-Ghoul

Journalists remembering the slain reporter of Al Jazeera in Northern Gaza, Ismail Al Ghoul. "He insisted on continuing his coverage from the northern part of the Gaza Strip, despite the challenges and obstacles he faced. He was arrested and interrogated by the Israeli army, his brother was killed in an Israeli airstrike, and his father passed away during treatment abroad."

Mohammad Abu Don
Mohammad Abu Don Published on: 11 Aug, 2024