Introduction
This presentation is based on a working coherence of
individual as well group work with synergy, examining the various elements by
what is said to be the ‘greatest journalism movie ever made’, ‘All the
Presidents Men’. The researchers set out to critically analyze the six aspects
as set in the outline of the assignment and to validate the perceived
assumptions on the movie.
Synopsis of the Movie
All
the Presidents men is based on what is known as the Watergate scandal that
happened in the early 1970’s which rocked the American administration to its
foundations. Two investigative journalists, Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward of
the Washington Post, uncovered a conspiracy to cover up abuses of power leading
all the way to the Oval Office. The twists of Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein’s
investigative coup that toppled President Nixon are cleverly portrayed by
Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman.
The
film begins, as did the Watergate affair, with five men breaking into the headquarters
of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) on 1 June 1972. The DNC was based in
the Watergate office, hotel and residential complex in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood
of Washington DC. The late Frank Wills, the real-life security guard who
discovered the break-in, played himself in this movie. The story is first taken
up by junior journalist Bob Woodward (Robert Redford) as a minor incident.
Soon, though, it begins to bloat out in all directions. Ben Bradlee (Jason
Robards), the executive editor of the Washington Post, brings the more
experienced Carl Bernstein (Dustin Hoffman) on board to work with him.
1.
Elements of Interviewing
One
element of interviewing that was on demonstration in the movie “All the
President’s Men” was active listening which involves; not interrupting, eye
contact, questions in context of the interview. Active listening can be seen in the scenes, during
the interview with the book keeper, by Bernstein the journalist, he paid
attention with his eyes despite the place was dim, he did not interrupt the
book keeper, he asked for clarifications using contextual questions. Her
information at that time and during other interviews (where Bernstein exercised
the same elements of interview) was the link in finding out who was the
recipient of the money that Deep Throat advise to follow up.
Taking notes was also
seen as an important part of this exercise which the reporter did on pieces of
paper, napkins, anything he could have found.
2.
Dealing with sources
As
we continue to examine the movie ‘All the President’s Men’, it is clear that
Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein are two journalists from the Washington Post,
who are tasked with investigating a story relating to the Watergate Burglary.
How
they dealt with their sources was definitely plausible, since they managed to
adhere to the Principles of Journalism, upholding professionalism whilst
obtaining all the necessary information needed to solve their case.
Journalism’s
first obligation is to the truth, you must have accurate facts to embrace your
story. Both Bernstein and Woodward worked extra hard in gathering data of
relevance to their story, they made sure they never accepted information as it
is from one source but rather if it comes from more than one reliable source then
they would try to obtain proof to back-up. This is to avoid information being
untrue or hear-say. For example; when phone calls were made to find out about
Mr. Howard Hunt, the journalist tried his best to have the same information
from different sources by asking similar questions so as to confirm any queries
he may have.
Mr.
Woodward exercised persistence as he confronted his sources. Mr. Woodward
noticed Mr. Markham at the court and when he approached him and asked “what’s
your name?” Mr. Markham replied “I have nothing to say”. Even after this Mr.
Woodward had not given up, he confronted Mr. Markham twice after, but both
times receiving the same reply as his first.
Mr.
Bernstein is the perfect example of the word ‘patience’, he exercised patience
throughout the whole investigation when it came to his sources. For example,
the visit to the bookkeeper’s sisters’ house, where she offered him coffee. He
probably wasn’t that thirsty as he made it seem, but due to his desire for
information from such a difficult source he put up with her to get what he
wanted in return.
Both
journalists cooperated to get the most out of their sources. For example, when
Bernstein and Woodward wanted to find out what the ‘P’ in their evidence stand
for they applied a mind tactic where they approached a source pretending to
already confirm their information, and they said, “well we know the ‘P’ is for
Porter….” when they really did not know, but was giving the source that they
knew was aware of it, time to deny it if it was not true.
Deep
throat was a major source of Mr. Woodward, he requested to remain anonymous and
as a professional Journalist Mr. Woodward pledged to keep him under deep
background as he insisted that he can be trusted and reassured him that
whatever is spoken is safe with him. Confidentiality was practiced throughout
the movie by the journalists since many persons wanted to remain anonymous even
Mr. Dardis and their wishes were fulfilled.
3.
Nose for News
The
story is based on real life experiences which takes into account moral choices.
The movie shows how important validating facts and information are, before
publishing in the media. It depicts two inexperienced reporters and rivals
working for the Washington Post. Their research based during the 1972 era, when
Mr. Richard Nixon was President, a burglary at the Democratic Party
Headquarters in the Watergate apartment complex. With the help of a mysterious
source, Deep Throat-Hal Holbrook, the two reporters made a
connection between the burglars and a White House staffer.
After
a brief review of the film, there were several ways the reporters nosed for
news. Some of which are;
1.
The use of the 5 W’s and 1 H- Who, What, Where, When, Why and How.
2. Through attentive listening during phone
conversations, even while having their note pads to jot key words/terms down
that fits their investigations, calling persons of interest as they acquire
leads via the various sources, having face to face interactions with those
suspected to be involved and by confirmation of information over the phone etc.
for truth.
3. The journalists made keen observations of
their person of interest actions, whether they answered the questions in a
proper manner, whether they made eye contact, the amount of time taken to
respond and whether or not they made excuses were all taken into account e.g.
visit to the book keeper
4. Suspects body language was also observed; tapping
their feet, changing positions etc.
5. Wherever information was hidden from them
they sought out other avenues, e.g. the bills from the white house that were
not allowed to be viewed by the public, etc.
Woodward and Bernstein begin to dig – and
here we as students of journalism may marvel at how exceptionally more
difficult all this investigative work was in the days before the age of
technology and the internet, especially when at one point they have to go
through all the hard-copy borrowing records at the Library of Congress by hand.
Finally, the reporters used their instincts
to critically assess the information received from ‘Deep Throat, webbed it
together to achieve the completion of their investigation.
4.
How the state uses its power to
affect people
Dubbed
“the best movie of investigative journalism” ‘All the President’s Men’ indeed
lives up to its name even after over 40 years has passed since its debut.
Certain aspects of the movies showcases the state using its power to affect the
people it was elected to govern. Just weeks after the Watergate debacle
involving honorable statesmen, a committee was set up by order of President
Richard Nixon, to monitor the developments of the investigation. Two top allies
of the government was placed in charge to dissuade and compromise the justice
system with inefficiencies.
The
high point of the movie involves Woodward
and Bernstein relentless digging, to uncover extensive evidence of dirty tricks
and activity the tricksters call “ratfucking”: stuffing ballot boxes, planting
spies in the opposition and running up fake campaign literature .
The term originated within the GOP and is an American slang which stands for political
sabotage or dirty tricks. These tricks were clearly used to manipulate the
state towards their campaign. The conspiracy seems to suck in nearly everyone
in Washington since persons flogged the courts and stayed glued to their
televisions all throughout the inquiry.
After
the accusations against the Nixon administration into the Watergate burglary,
The Washington Post through its investigative journalists, wrote a story
indicting the President and his men. However, the Public Relations department
of the White House issued a statement calling the story by the Post inaccurate.
They further used their PR tactics such as ‘dumbing down the news’ to hold
strong on their claim. No one from within the White House was allowed to give
out any information nor communicate with the media other than those designated
by the President himself. This clearly indicated the will of the Nixon
administration to persuade the people of his governments’ innocence.
5.
Deep throat
Deep
Throat in the movie “All the president’s Men” is the alias given to Bob
Woodward’s (the journalist) informant at The Washington post. He was known to revealed vital clues and
information on Watergate; inclusive of the actions of the committee that was
formed to re-elect President Nixon.
Even
though Deep Throat was willing to help, he was very discrete in his methods;
Bob Woodward was warned against writing him or calling via telephone, if Bob
wanted to contact him he had orders to leave the red flag in the pot on his
balcony and he would respond by placing a note on the 20th page of his New York
Times.
Deep
throat when providing information on the white house , revealed it in a very
tricky and riddled like way, often just pointing the young journalist in the
right direction to gather intel using terms such as ‘’follow the money’'
.Bob however, overtime, grew tired of
his methods. Moreover with the belief that his life was at stake and at one of
their secret meetings he shouted at Deep throat in anguish and exclaimed “I am
done playing games with you”
The
scenes of Deep throat and Bob showcase the dangers of doing investigative
Journalism. Bob upon the encounter often met Deep Throat in a dark secluded
place, late at nights. Many times while engaged in discourse Bob survey his
surroundings in fright; he appeared to be jumpy as he listens to Deep Throat.
On his way home he walked briskly and on entering his apartment he ran up his
stares as he was fore-warned to make sure he was not followed.
6.
Journalist taking “No” for an
answer
This remains one of the high marks of journalism
and acts as a cushioning point to breaking news, unexpected, deep news stories;
this can be coupled with the Guyanese saying that “constant banging wary way
stone”. This was the fact when Bob Woodward kept calling Dahlberg who was the
finance Chairman of the re-electing committee for President Nixon. It was the
constant call and steady questioning (one which was done in weird hours of the
night) that brought to light the $25,000 that was given to burglars (in the
starting scenes of the movie), who broke into the headquarters.
Bob Woodward did not take no for an answer
and also when as he questioned the lawyers in the court as to the reason for
his presence and interest in the case. The lawyer told him he had a right to be
there but he still went on to ask “who are you representing?” to which the
lawyer answered no one but he still asked “so why you are here?” the lawyer got
upset, but this was just another period where Bob Woodward did not stop asking
question until he got a vital piece of information that he shared with his
friends.
Conclusion
As
great as this story is, any film addict will instantly spot that parts have
been borrowed from the opening scenes from the movie “Lawrence of Arabia”.
The
greatness of the story lies in the ability of the Journalists to maintain
confidentiality on ‘Deep Throat’ as their source. In 2005, Mark Felt, a former
FBI associate director finally admitted that he was the informant ‘Deep Throat’
that helped the Journalists at the Washington Post infiltrate Nixon and allies
as a part of the Watergate debacle.
Despite
the twists, turns and exceptionally complex detail of the Watergate scandal, “All
the President’s Men” manages to make it both comprehensible and watchable –
with a few flashy fictional touches to gussy up the facts
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