All the Presidents Men

     In the film All the Presidents Men,  2 journalists by the name of Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward investigate and uncover details of the Watergate scandal and bring to light the importance of the event. This film really demonstrates the need for a watchdog press in American society. By pushing the envelope and thoroughly investigating the Watergate scandal, the press was able to keep the American government honest to the illegal activities that it was taking part in. More damage would have been done by withholding secret information from the American public than from publishing it. If not for a watchdog press the government would be able to further exploit an already naive American public and get away with anything. Acting just like a watchdog guarding its owner’s house, the press is guarding us the American people from not knowing or not being told. This film really displayed the difference between a watchdog press and a lapdog press. The watchdog press is ever vigilant and protecting of the integrity and well being of the American people, while the lapdog press is lazy and overly compliant with the government’s wishes.This watchdog press keeps us informed on the important issues that are taking place in our ever changing world. If not for the press we would be blind to many of the things taking place within the offices that govern our great country.

     For this watchdog effect to work properly, journalist must know and be willing to research there topics thoroughly. This film really displays the importance of research in all journalistic activities. A prime example from the film would be that every time Woodward or Bernstein got a piece of information which they thought was important they would get more than one source to confirm the information. Without confirming, they would run the risk of putting false information into their stories and with such a high profile story they could not take any chances. When writing about any topic the author must check and recheck sources as to retain his/her credibility as a journalist. In the film every bit of information that Woodward and Bernstein came up with was questioned by the editor. Nothing that they came to his desk with was allowed into the paper until they were able to not only confirm it but also prove its relevance to the overall story. Without both truthfulness and relevance, the story that they were writing would not have had the great affect on American history that it did. Also with research comes a furthering of knowledge. When a person is researching a topic, they tend to find out things that they did not know about that subject before which may increase the interest of that subject.