Ed Murrow: warned that unless TV was used to teach, illuminate and inspire 'it is merely wires and lights in a box'. Photograph: Erich Auerbach/Getty
Ed Murrow: a voice from the past with lessons for today's news broadcasters
Exactly 50 years ago today, the legendary American journalist Edward R Murrow stood up in front of the cream of American network television and warned them of the consequences for serious journalism if broadcasters were not prepared to "get up off our fat surpluses".
