 In the early 1950 s, the threat of Communism created an air of paranoia in the United States and exploiting those fears was Senator  Joseph McCarthy (II)  (qv) of Wisconsin. However, CBS reporter  Edward R. Murrow (I)  (qv) and his producer  Fred W. Friendly  (qv) decided to take a stand and challenge McCarthy and expose him for the fear monger he was. However, their actions took a great personal toll on both men, but they stood by their convictions and helped to bring down one of the most controversial senators in American history.