Watergate: Uncovering The Truth

Journalism is more than presenting facts to the public. Reporters are supposed to pursue the truth in order to provide citizens with the information they need to be free and self governing. In their book, The Elements of Journalism, Bill Novach and Tom Rosenstiel lay out 10 principles of journalism that ought to be followed by all journalists. Several of these principles are seen in the film All The President’s Men (1976).

The film tells the story of Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, two reporters for The Washington Post. Woodward and Bernstein start following a story about five men arrested for breaking into the Watergate building however as they continue reporting they crack the famous Watergate scandal. The most evident principle seen in this film is the importance of original investigative reporting. Woodward and Bernstein did not just wait to see what other newspapers wrote about. Instead they did the dirty work themselves and acted as detectives. They crossed red tape, knocked on every door, took every lead, made every call, spend hours sorting through evidence, demanded answers to the what, where, when, why, and how, and followed up on everything.

Because of their investigating, Woodward and Bernstein gathered evidence and eventually were able to expose the truth and uncover Nixon’s corrupt scheme. Even when told over and over again that didn’t have anything and that the story wasn’t worth it, they were unwaveringly dedicated to the truth. Woodward and Bernstein were told that running the story was a huge danger, called shabby journalists, and called liars by the White House but they didn’t give up. They followed the story until they eventually uncovered the scandal.

Woodward and Bernstein were also dedicated to another principle of journalism; the discipline of verification. At one point in the film the two reporters realize that they didn’t get enough fact in an interview so they go back and re-interview a woman because they understand that they can’t rely on their gut feelings alone. Their publishers also make sure that they don’t print anything unless they have verified every detail with at least 2 or 3 sources.

Woodward and Bernstein worked relentlessly for many sleepless nights to uncover the truth and report on it. Because of evidence gathered by these two men, Nixon was found out and forced to resign.

Good Night, and Good Luck

Good Night, and Good Luck (2005) tells the story of Edward R Murrow, a pioneer of American broadcast journalism. In 1954 Murrow showed the American public his dedication to reporting truthful news. Despite being strongly urged to reconsider his stand, Murrow put his career on the line when he chose to air a television series exposing Senator McCarthy during the Red Scare of the 1950s.

Murrow’s story exemplifies many of the journalistic principles that authors Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel explore in their book, The Elements of Journalism. During the Red Scare Murrow could have been obligated to his own reputation as other journalists were. Many reporters were not willing to expose McCarthy because they were afraid of being pegged as communists. Murrow however, was not afraid. In the words of Kovach and Rosentiel his first obligation was to the truth. Murrow worked diligently to collect and bring to light hidden facts about McCarthy so that citizens could know the truth and act on it.

The Elements of Journalism also highlights the importance of loyalty to citizens. Murrow was fearlessly dedicated to telling citizen’s stories. During the Red Scare, Senator McCarthy accused over 200 people of being communist infiltrators. When Murrow’s editor said there wasn’t much to write about in response to McCarthy’s behavior, Murrow did not back down. He told citizens stories when other reporters did not.

In telling the public’s stories Murrow demonstrated another element of journalism, providing a voice to the voiceless. He told the story of an Irish man from Michigan who was kicked out of the air force because his father read a Serbian newspaper. The man was not provided a fair trial and was told that if he wanted to keep his job he had to denounce his family. Murrow was so set on covering this story that he was willing to pay for the ads for permission to write it.

By providing a voice to the voiceless Murrow also served as a monitor of power. When he chose to cover the story of the man from Michigan, Murrow showed McCarthy that he didn’t have the authority to accuse whoever he wanted to of being communist and that there would be consequences for his actions. Murrow used his news show to make the corrupt actions of the government more transparent to the American public.

Edward Murrow and his colleagues were dedicated to providing citizens with more than just facts. His truthful reporting, loyalty to citizens, and perseverance helped him succeed in bringing down McCarthy and made him a highly esteemed reporter with his own exhibit at the Newseum in Washington, D.C.