Shock and Awe: The True Relationship Between Press and Government

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The billboard poster for the 2017 film Shock and Awe. 

Shock and Awe, directed by Rob Reiner, is a political drama that follows the journalists who worked for the Knight Ridder news service's Washington bureau as they questioned the United States' government's statements about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. 

"There is no more important struggle for American democracy than ensuring a diverse, independent, and free media"(Bill Moyers).

Based on a true story, this film takes place during the lead-up to the 2003 Iraq War. After 9/11, the U.S. government and the Bush Administration pushed the narrative that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction as well as a link to al-Qaeda, which most major media outlets believed forthright and didn't investigate further. 

                                                                The New York Times
Harrelson and Marsden investigate the Iraq War. 

Shock and Awe stars Woody Harrelson as Jonathon Landay and James Marsden as Warren Strobel, two journalists who are hesitant to believe the statements the government is releasing to the public. They delve deeper into the Bush Administration, choosing to conduct their own investigation instead of simply taking what the government says at face value. 

However, their findings and reporting face major pressure and skepticism from the government, highlighting the already rocky relationship that is present between the government and journalistic institutions. 

President Bush with troops.

This tension was heightened by the pre-war period that the Bush Administration and American society were living through. In response to preparing for war, the government often tries to control narratives and the statements being released to the public to highlight national security, and at times, obscuring facts to justify their actions. 

On the other hand, the press has the responsibility to question, verify, and expose what the government may or may not be covering up. As a result, the press suffers from a difficult juxtaposition of patriotic beliefs and holding the government accountable to the American people. 

A classic example of a period where the press and the government were at odds during the lead-up to a war was the Vietnam War. 

At that time, the U.S. government insisted that American efforts were succeeding. However, reporters like David Halberstam of The New York Times and Neil Sheehan of United Press International were skeptical to believe these statements.

Their reporting directly contradicted the official government statements. As a result, these journalists faced intense pressure and criticism from U.S. officials, including attempts to discredit them or have them reassigned. President Kennedy himself reportedly asked The New York Times to pull Halberstam out of Vietnam because his reports were too negative.

This tension grew after the release of the Pentagon Papers in 1971, where leaked documents revealed that U.S. officials had secretly doubted the war's success for years while publicly assuring the opposite. That massive breach of trust between the press, government, and public opinion was one of the most significant in American history.

In Shock and Awe, this conflict is front and center. The Knight Ridder journalists embodied the true role of the press: to doubt when doubt is necessary. 

They asked the uncomfortable questions at a time when doing so was unpopular and even seen as unpatriotic.

The film shows that this ingrained and natural conflict between the press and government can turn hostile because journalists risk being marginalized, discredited, or ignored when they challenge public officials and governmental authority. In Shock and Awe, Landay, Strobel, and their colleagues face dismissal not only from government officials but from their peers and the public. 

In essence, Shock and Awe captures the eternal struggle: governments seek obedience in times of war; true journalism demands skepticism.

Breaking Boundaries: The Fearless Nellie Bly

"I have never written a word that did not come from my heart. I never shall." 

Snapshots of Nellie Bly, Photo Credit: Medium

Nellie Bly, the pioneer of investigative journalism, is known worldwide for her compassionate yet highly daring style. 

Born Elizabeth Jane Cochran on May 5, 1864, in Pennsylvania, she had to fight for a place in the world of journalism. At the age of 6, Bly's father died without a will, leaving her and her family to face heavy financial hardship. As a result, she had to leave school at the age of 15 and move to Pittsburgh to be with her mother and two brothers. 

While in Pittsburgh, Bly read an article published in The Pittsburgh Dispatch that negatively commented on a woman's place in the workforce. She immediately responded by writing a letter to the editor, George Madden, a call to action to allow more women in a professional environment. Not only did her letter reach the editor, but Madden also saw extreme potential in young Bly and offered her a job as a reporter for The Dispatch. 

Photo Cred: The Library of Congress

Thus, her pen name, Nellie Bly, was born. 

However, due to the position's limitations, Bly was only ever assigned columns on women's issues. As a result, she quit her job and in 1886, moved to New York City. Bly craved bigger and better opportunities that would allow her to write meaningful articles, while also showcasing her skills.  

"Start the man, and I'll start the same day for some other newspaper and beat him."

Once in New York, Bly struggled to find work in such a male-dominated industry. That is, until she marched into the office of The New York World. Joseph Pulitzer, the editor at the time, was intrigued by her passion for journalism and proposed that she write a story about Blackwell's Island, New York City's infamous mental asylum. 

Photo cred: The New York Historical

Bly took the assignment further than anyone dared to dream. She faked mental illness, gaining her admission into the asylum. Once inside, she observed and encountered the physical abuse, overcrowded living spaces, and demeaning conditions that were forced upon the patients. Her exposé on the mistreatment of female patients in the asylum was published in a six-part series entitled Ten Days in the Madhouse, which led to public outrage and institutional reforms. 

Nellie Bly's name was heard all over the country as the woman who pioneered investigative journalism. 

Bly's career didn't end there. She continued to make waves in the journalism community, frequently reporting on hard-pressed issues such as corruption, labor abuses, and the black-market for selling and buying children. Her writing captivated her audience in New York and beyond as she continued to make a name for herself. 

Photo Cred: The Collector

Her journalistic endeavors were not strictly limited to New York. After reading the acclaimed novel Around the World in 80 Days, Bly took it upon herself to do the same. In 1889, she took a 72-day trip around the world, with daily updates being published by The New York World, and broke the previous record. 

And she didn't stop there. 

Upon returning from her trip, Bly's portfolio only grew as she continued to publish revolutionary pieces that were pivotal to the world of journalism. Interviews with prominent figures like socialist politician Eugene Debs and anarchist turned activist Emma Goldman demonstrated her ability to remain impartial when confronting adversaries. 

When Bly was 30 years old, she met and married Robert Seamen, retiring from journalism and becoming a businesswoman. When her husband died in 1903, he left Bly in charge of his two massive companies. She not only ran these companies but also patented multiple oil manufacturing investments. However, even with all of her advancements, the companies eventually went bankrupt. 

After returning to journalism to cover WWI in Europe, Bly passed away from pneumonia on January 27, 1922. 

Throughout her life, Bly was a staunch advocate for women's issues, which was evident in the stories she published. Her fierce dedication to the field of journalism is to be greatly admired, and her contributions to investigative journalism have paved the way for countless generations after her. 

In the words of celebrated newspaper editor Arthur Brisbane, Bly is to be remembered as "the best reporter in America."

Photo cred: News Literary Project

EOTO Reaction Post: History of Gossip Columns & Fashion Journalism

Gossip Columns and how they began

Gossip has existed since the beginning as a way for people to receive and contribute information to the social scene. However, the first time a true gossip column entered society was written by James Gordon Bennett for The New York Herald. The stories and columns he contributed to the newspaper mainly focused on the New York City elite. 

Since their humble beginnings, gossip columns have evolved and changed as society has also evolved. This change was first noted during the 1930s and 1940s as Hollywood was on the rise. This was when the first official American gossip column was created by  Walter Winchell, entitled On Broadway. However, he was not the only one to write pieces on Hollywood's elite. 

Hedda Hopper, who was an actress at the time, created her own column that focused on rumours regarding fellow celebrities, relationships, styles, and professional choices. She established the trend of "pitting" actors and actresses against each other to increase readership and promote their new movies. 

Just like the rise of Hollywood, the late 90s and early 2000s brought another surge of gossip columns.

Photo cred: The Cut

However, these columns were not just single pieces. They became a crucial aspect of the larger entertainment magazine, whose sole focus was dedicated to publishing celebrity gossip. Magazines such as People, US Weekly, and TMZ soared during the 90s and the 2000s because of the heavy emphasis they placed on exposing scandals. These magazines focused on the personal lives of celebrities, alcohol, partying, sex, and drugs because that is what the American people had a common interest. 

While celebrity gossip still remains highly consumed by Americans today, the mode of receiving the information has shifted. Now, society relies on social media platforms to stay "up to date" on the happenings of celebrities and the elite. 

The History of Fashion Journalism 

The first known fashion magazine was published on November 15, 1785, in France, and was named "Cabinet of Fashions or New Fashions." It was eight pages long and contained three hand-painted engravings. 

However, fashion journalism didn't start to rise until 1867 when Harper's Bazaar was created. This publication prided itself on understanding the lives of women through fashion. Not only did the 19th century bring Harper's Bazaar to the social scene, but it was also when the most famous fashion magazine in the world was first published: Vogue. 

Vogue was founded by Arthur Baldwin Turine, and it targeted New York's upper class, highlighting their leisure activities and fashion trends. At first, the magazine cost only 10 cents, and was published weekly. 

Now Vogue is one of the most famous magazines in the world, is published monthly, and features different celebrities on each cover. The highly coveted cover of Vogue is what marks it as one of the most prestigious fashion magazines. 

With magazines like Vanity Fair, GQ, and Cosmopolitan still skyrocketing in the digital age, it is safe to say that fashion journalism will never go out of style. 

The Art of the Book Review

 

Photo cred: The New York Times

The most important aspect of a book review is that it is a commentary, not just a summary. The person who writes the review can agree or disagree with the author of the book, and they can voice their opinions on all aspects of the novel. As opposed to hard news, which is factual, book reviews are subject to an individual’s opinion.  

On October 10, 1896, The New York Times said: “We begin today the publication of a supplement which contains reviews of the new books.”

The first book review was published in 1896 and featured ten reviews. However, the book reviews of the past were very different than what we are accustomed to today. The Book Review first treated books as hard news instead of pieces of art and literature. 

In 1913, the concept of The Book Review shifted after a statement was released stating: “An open forum for the discussion of books from all sane and honest points of view is always accessible in the New York Times Book Review.” This idea of book reviews being a discussion rather than hard facts revolutionized the art of literary criticism, beginning the transformation of what we know today. 

“In much more than nine cases out of ten the only objectively truthful criticism would be ‘This book is worthless’, while the truth about the reviewer’s own reaction would probably be “This book does not interest me in any way, and I would not write about it unless I were paid to" (George Orwell, 1946).

In 1925, J. Donald Adams was appointed editor and made it his priority and mission to make The Book Review something more than just telling people what the book was about. He wanted the conversation regarding books to become more opinionated. 

Adams was born on September 24, 1891. Throughout his life, he was a critic, journalist, editor, and author. Graduating from Harvard in 1913, he edited the Harvard Monthly and submitted his own essays, works of fiction, and poetry to the journal. J. Adams held the title of editor of The Book Review until 1943, when he then became the contributing editor. 

In 1970, John Leonard took over The Book Review. Under his curation, he brought in new reviewers to shift the tone of the column. These new reviewers were primarily women and minority groups to shed light on new writers and increasingly relevant topics. 

Book Reviews in the Digital Age

So, how have book reviews evolved to have a presence in the modern-day digital age? In 2008, critics Laura Miller and Louis Bayard wrote an article for Salon entitled Who Killed the Literary Critic. While this title seems harsh, it is inherently true the more one thinks about it. With online book websites like Goodreads and even Amazon reviews taking off, consumers tend to go off 5-star ratings and short blurbs instead of the deep, opinionated work of reviewers for publications like The New York Times, People, and Entertainment Weekly. 

Richard Price for Critical Mass spoke up about his opinion surrounding the instantaneous quality of book reviews now: “I think our crisis is instant evaluation versus expansive engagement, real time versus reflective time, commodity versus community, product versus process. Substituting a user’s rating for a reader’s rearrangement threatens to turn literature into a lawn ornament.”

To demonstrate the fall of book reviews and the way society now chooses to inform itself on pivotal novels, here are some examples of actual reviews left by every day people. These "reviews," if you even dare call them that, will influence people not to read these classic books.  

This reader gave Catcher in the Rye one star and said: “In my hand I hold $5. I will give it to anyone who can explain the plot of this book (or why there is no plot) and make me understand why the hell people think it’s so amazing."

After reading F. Scott Fitzgerald's literary classic The Great Gatsby, this reader was pleased by only one aspect of the novel: “There was one thing I really liked about the Great Gatsby. It was short.”

Finally, this reader gave The Life of Pi 5 stars, but went on by saying: “Little Indian Boy goes on weird boat ride with mean cat.”

Photo cred: The New York Times

With all of this being said, it is crucial to understand the importance of a good book review and the history that went into its creation. With publications like The New York Times still attempting to push the great literary book review onto the masses, more people tend to turn to the "short blurb" rather than the art form that is the book review. With people's attention spans shortening, we must go back in time to the era of the classic literary review, allowing society to broaden its intellectual horizons and pick up a new book for a change.

Putting a spotlight on SPOTLIGHT

Reporters at The Boston Globe                              photo cred: IMDB

"All of you have done some very good reporting here. Reporting that I believe is going to have an immediate and considerable impact on our readers. For me, this kind of story is why we do this" (Marty Baron, Spotlight). 

At its core, this cinematic masterpiece is simply about good, honest journalism. Journalism in its purest form. In a world of scandals, coverups, biases, and fake news, this film is a breath of fresh air, even when faced with the hard decisions the reporters came across in the film. 

The film raises the question of: How far would you respect your faith when exposed to the truth? Many of the reporters featured had to ultimately choose between faith and reporting the facts. At the end of the day, journalism won. 

Spotlight (2015) shook the cinematic community by portraying the true story of how the Boston Globe took down the Catholic Church in 2001. Winning the Oscars for Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay, Spotlight is a tour-de-force in writing, storytelling, and showcases the power of true journalism in today's ever-opinionated world. 

Spotlight serves as a powerful symbol of the importance of the freedom of the press in a democratic society. Inspired by the true story of the Spotlight team at the Boston Globe, this film sheds light on the crucial role that jounalist's play in uncovering corruption, holding powerful institutions accountable for their actions, and allowing the voiceless to speak up. This film covers the investigation and outcomes of the Spotlight team as they worked to expose the widespread cover-up of the child abuse inflicted by the Catholic church in Boston. 

The breaking news headline.     photo cred: The Boston Globe

Not only does Spotlight tell a true story about the importance of journalism, but the film also demonstrates the significance of a free and independent press. No more so is this evident than in the Spotlight's team's unwavering stance in the face of powerful opposition. This opens doors to the discussion of factual reporting versus sensationalism as the team at the Boston Globe dutifully works to gather evidence, verify sources, and present an airtight case instead of just rushing to publish an incomplete story. If they had published a story purely for entertainment value (akin to "yellow journalism"), the Catholic Church would have spoken out against the publication, which would have resulted in The Boston Globe losing all credibility. 

Another key aspect of journalism that Spotlight addresses is censorship and the First Amendment right to freedom of the press. Since the investigation and subsequent story exposed the Catholic Church in an extremely negative light, the Church and prominent figures of the Catholic community tried to dissuade The Boston Globe from publishing their findings. However, despite this, and in spite of the Catholic views of many of the staff working on the story, the Spotlight team remained committed to releasing the final story. This is a clear and vital example of how an independent press resists outside pressures from influential figures that are trying to suppress the truth. 

Photo cred: Gettyimages

Spotlight remains a crucial film that discusses the importance of a free and complete press in the 21st century. Without the staunch efforts of The Boston Globe's investigative team and their unwavering stance to make the truth heard even when faced with powerful opposition, this film is a reminder that factual reporting does indeed make a difference. 

As factual and unbiased journalism becomes more difficult to find, it is imperative to use Spotlight as a reminder to tell the real story, even when it may be the more difficult one. 

EOTO Reaction Post: The Liberator and the North Star Newspaper

The Liberator

William Lloyd Garrison, a black abolitionist who was born 10 December, 1805, was the publisher behind The Liberator newspaper. The Liberator started in 1835 in Boston Massachusetts, and was primarily funded by black organizations. Since it was a smaller publication and was illegal to purchase and read in the South, it sold around 3,000 copies a week. 

The Liberator covered three major stories throughout its 30 years in print: The John Brown Raid, the Nat Turner Rebellion, and the Civil War. 

The John Brown Raid, which took place in October 1859, was led by John Brown, who was an abolitionist dedicated to fighting against slavery. The raid, which ultimately failed, was an attempt to lead a slave revolt in the South. 

Between August 21 and August 22 1831, the Nat Turner Rebellion took place in Southampton Country, Virginia, and was the deadliest slave revolt in the history of the United States. 

Finally, The Liberator covered the Civil War, which spanned from 1861-1864. With the Union Army winning the war, and the 13th Amendment constituting the abolition of slavery, The Liberator’s time in print came to a halt. 

The North Star Newspaper

The Liberator wasn’t the only newspaper targeted towards abolitionists. The North Star Newspaper was published in New York from 1847 to 1851. This anti-slavery newspaper was created and edited by Frederick Douglass, and the significance of the title comes from slaves using the north star to guide themselves to freedom upon escaping the confines of slavery in the South. 

The purpose of The North Star Newspaper was not only to end slavery, but to also encourage the equality and societal advancement of African Americans in the United States. In his newspaper, Douglass covered anything from abolitionist news to the advancement and support of the women’s rights movement. This newspaper was perhaps the most influential source of information as the Civil War loomed on the horizon. 

As Douglass staunchly stated as the motto of his newspaper: “Right is of no sex, truth is of no color–God is the father of us all, and we are brethren.” 

EOTO 1: Joseph Pulitzer

Joseph Pulitzer was a titan of the publishing world and established a legacy that went far beyond the newspapers of 19th century New York City.

Joseph Pulitzer was born April 10, 1847 in Mako Hungary. He was of Maygo and Jewish Origin, and suffered from poor health, which would plague him for the rest of his life. He was refused from the Austrian Army because of his health conditions and poor eyesight. This dismissal spurred him to travel to Boston as a draftee for the Union Army where he enlisted in the Lincoln Calvary for a year. In 1878, Pulitzer began his career in publishing and emerged as the owner of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. That same year, he married Kate Davis. 

This Hungarian immigrant, who had been made fun of for most of his life for being of Jewish origin, had transformed his life into being a respected American citizen.

In 1883, Pulitzer met with Jay Gould and negotiated the purchase of The New York World. In the next ten years, The World climbed to more than 600,000 editions and was the largest circulating newspaper in the country. However, Pulitzer lived in a time where newspaper giants were emerging all over New York City and between the years of 1896 and 1898, he was engaged in a circulation battle with William Randolph Hearst. The results from these two newspapers competing with each other coined the term of “yellow journalism,” which is the sensationalism and fabrication of news. 

In order to understand the importance of Joseph Pulitzer as a leading figure in the world of newspapers, it is crucial to understand the term of  “yellow journalism.” This is a type of newspaper reporting that preferred to use sensationalism instead of facts. “Yellow Journalism” was a direct result of the circulation battle between Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst as they both used sensationalism in order to increase their readers. As Seymour Topping described: “The New York World vs. The New York Journal meant no restraints on sensationalism or fabrication. 

In 1890, at the age of 43, Pulitzer, who was virtually blind and suffering from major health conditions, retired from the newsroom. He died October 29, 1911 and one year later, with the money that Pulitzer gifted to Columbia University, the Columbia school of journalism was founded. In 1917, the first Pulitzer prizes were awarded, which are still being awarded to this day. Some notable Pulitzer winners are Ernest Hemmingway, Toni Morrison, and John F. Kennedy. 

The New York World and The Spanish - American War 

The New York World began as a penny paper in 1860. In may 1883, Pulitzer purchased the New York World from Jay Gould which became the leading journalistic voice for the Democratic party in the United States. He introduced concepts such as comics, sports and women’s fashion in order to increase and attract a greater audience, allowing his newspaper to become a source of entertainment as well as information. In 1931, the New York World merged and began the New York World-Telegram. However, this newspaper closed down in 1967. 

Beginning in 1898, the Spanish American War resulted in Spain relinquishing its claims on Cuba, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines to the United States. The conditions of the war: shelter, lack of food and medical care were graphically depicted in The New York World and the New York Journal. Both Pulitzer and Hearst used the war as a way to increase the revenue and sales of the newspapers by using sensationalism instead of reporting the facts. 

Joseph Pulitzer, a Jewish immigrant with humble beginnings, transformed himself into a name that will never be forgotten. While the prestigious Pultizer Prize is how we remember him to this day, it is vital to never forget the contributions he made to journalism and the shaping of the modern American newspaper during the 19th century.

As Pulitzer once stated, "Our republic and its press will rise or fall together."