Spotlight: Journalism at its best

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