'Pentagon Papers' expose in the early 70s by the New York Times was one of the sensational exposes in the world of
journalism. Of course, Watergate, which came later, was even more sensational
for more than one reason. However, the Pentagon Papers became sensational
because the source was one of the insiders and a stakeholder so to say. Daniel Ellsberg,
the whistle-blower, was a researcher with the defence department and had access
to piles of papers (reports) dealing with crucial classified information that
dealt with the Vietnam War and the American hand in it. Through the expose the
world came to know that the US wanted the war to somehow continue and prolong
for its own ulterior motifs. Several Presidents selfishly made thousands of US
soldiers victims and martyrs of the brutal war. In the end, what remained was a
humiliating defeat at the hand of a tiny nation. All this mayhem for no worthwhile
cause!
Daniel Ellsberg, the whistleblower
Director: Rod Holcomb
Film Clip
In a landmark decision, Ellsberg was acquitted by the court which
declared that the case was a ‘mistrial’. It was a vindication of the fact that
Ellsberg had done what he did in all good faith, keeping the future of a
democratic country in mind.
The film Pentagon Papers (2003) has documented these facts quite faithfully. Through the film one comes to what
extent a powerful nation can manipulate everything and keep the entire nation
in the dark. It happened during Vietnam War, it happened during Iraq war and
several other wars. For the US, might seems indeed right! James Spader who
plays Ellsberg, has done justice to the role of a whistleblower A must watch
film for students of journalism as well as those interested in knowing more
about American hypocrisy and manipulation at the same time.
- Melwyn Pinto SJ
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