What Does The Film Suggest About The Journalists', And The Newspapers' Values Ð'- The Sorts Of Principles And Ethics By Which They Work? What Are The Actual Goals Of The Journalists As Presented In The Film I.E. What Drives Them To Continue Wo

In Alan Pakula's film "All the President's Men", ethical journalism is one of the main issues presented. The two main characters, Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, are both journalists of the Washington Post newspaper that are investigating the Watergate Affair. Throughout the film, what is generally suggested, is that journalism should be characterized by some important values and principles. These principles are a part of the Code of Ethics as well, a code composed by the Society of Professional Journalism (SPJ), and they should be followed by all reporters, in all types of media. This Code includes rules such as reporting accurate information based on fact, where the reliability of the source is ensured, identification of sources, whenever possible, compassion to the sources, as well as to those affected by the press, and, last but not least, always seeking truth as the public has the right to know.

From the first scenes, where the affair has not unfolded yet, the editor of Washington Post, Ben Bradlee stresses to Woodward and Bernstein that their story will only be published if it is based on facts. Theories and personal beliefs should be totally banished as, if false, they can put the newspaper in great trouble. In addition such an error will be opposite from what the Code of Ethics indicates. What will be released, if not true, will mislead the public, thus the victim-affected person/group by the press will have every right to proceed to sewing the paper, as slander is against the law as well. After all, being a journalist means reporting observable facts and not expressing theories that can be easily affected by personal opinions. Moreover, the newspaper should not be the judge of an event but the one that will motivate the public to alter a situation that is undesirable, or the opposite.

Another point that is stressed out about a journalist's work is the identification of sources. Again, the editor of the Washington Post is particularly annoyed when the two reporters say that they are not allowed to name their source of information. The reader has the right to know who gives out the information on a case so he will judge the reliability and therefore the accuracy of each article. However, there are exceptions that are vital to be made. In such case, the reporter is the one that has to carry the responsibility to publish a precise article and to keep his source's name as far away from the public as possible, as otherwise, the informer might get into serious trouble for revealing something that he was not supposed to. In the example of Deep Throat, the FBI agent that gives information to Woodward, Bradlee asks the journalist again and again whether his source is actually someone trustworthy that they can rely on. Since Woodward ensures that, then it is his responsibility to keeps the lights of publicity away from Deep Throat.

In the same film, it will not be unfair to say that Woodward and Bernstein, or better Woodstein, personify the ideal reporter. They seek for the end of the thread that will give an explanation to the whole affair and they are significantly persistent about it. The reason for that, apart from the ambition to become famous, is that the public has the right to know about the conflict and the impact that might have on