Two recent events, if taken
seriously, will go a long way in helping modern journalists to have a relook at
their profession, especially for those broadcast journalists who seem to think
that shouting down the other and having the last word at all cost is the best
form of journalism. The first is the film Spotlight
and the second the Panama Papers
expose by the Indian Express and
other print media of international newspaper syndicate. Both underscore the
need for rigorous, painstaking efforts that have to be put in if one wants to
unearth what can be termed as serious, committed and socially responsible
journalism.
Director: Tom McCarthy
Film Clip
The film Spotlight deals with the high quality journalism of Boston Globe newspaper. In fact, Boston Globe has a tradition of many
such incredible journalistic efforts. This was made possible due to the
formation of a small band of journalists named as Spotlight. The present film deals
with the investigative reportage of the child abuse by Catholic priests for
decades together in Boston diocese and the cover up of it by the highest Church
officials, including Cardinal Bernard Francis Law.
The film is important for several
reasons. While the issue that is dealt in the film may be unsettling and
unnerving for the Catholic clergy, none can debate the authenticity of the rigorous
investigative work undertaken by the newspaper. The same is displayed in the
film as well. Secondly, the film also shows that it takes real energy, pain and
hard work, not to forget commitment and sincerity, to be a good reporter, and
even more, to be a good newspaper. Thirdly, the film in no way tries to
patronise or pontificate a type of witch-hunting journalism. Rather, it shows
that the guilty, especially those who inflicted untold miseries on children,
must be exposed. As the editor of the newspaper Marty Baron, played by Live
Schreiber says, it is not the individuals that journalism in general must
target, but the system.
There is a scene in the film where
editor Marty has an audience with Cardinal Law. Cardinal Law offers all
necessary help and support to the new editor since, as the Cardinal states, it
is important for institutions to work together for greater cause. However, Marty
declines it politely stating that for a newspaper to function it needs to stand
alone.
The other significant scene from
the point of view of journalism is when reporter Michael Rezendes, played by
Mark Ruffalo, goes to the judge to seek permission to examine sensitive
documents which by then were declassified through a court order. The judge
asks, “Where is the editorial responsibility in publishing records of this
nature?” To which Rezendes quips, “Where is the editorial responsibility in not
publishing them?”
The film must be studied closely by
all those journalists and future journalists who wish to take their profession
seriously.
- Melwyn Pinto SJ
