| For many people, the escapism that the movies | | | | responsibility in accurately documenting a person |
| provide into someone else's world and life can | | | | or event. The film also exposes the difficulties of |
| inspire movie goers to follow in certain characters' | | | | breaking into the journalism industry. |
| footsteps. Die Hard spurred a generation of | | | | - All the President's Men (1976). This film follows |
| wannabe policemen, while the Endless Summer | | | | the story of two of the world's most renowned |
| roused a throng of surfers chasing the perfect | | | | journalists - Woodward and Bernstein - and the |
| wave. Journalism movies have had a similar effect. | | | | breaking of the Watergate scandal. The |
| The story hunting and investigative excitement of | | | | Watergate scandal involved US president Richard |
| pursuing a groundbreaking or landmark | | | | Nixon and his illegal tampering and actions during |
| investigation has inspired many young reporters | | | | the election process. It started with a |
| to follow suit. Journalism movies often emphasise | | | | Nixon-backed break in to the Democratic National |
| the best aspects and functions of its role in | | | | Committee Headquarters and ended with Nixon's |
| society - such as holding those in power | | | | resignation. With their anonymous informer |
| accountable and unearthing exploitation or making | | | | nicknamed ‘Deep Throat', Woodward and |
| important cultural commentary. | | | | Bernstein find themselves at the centre of a |
| Here are a few renowned movies about | | | | complicated and sometimes dangerous |
| journalism that shed light on the life and role of | | | | investigation that ultimately led to the downfall of |
| the journalist. | | | | a President. The Woodward and Bernstein story |
| - Blood Diamond (2006). This Edward Zwick film is | | | | shows journalism's influence in holding those in |
| set in the Sierra Leone Civil War and centres on | | | | power accountable and paved the way for |
| the story of government soldiers and rebel forces | | | | greater US government and political transparency. |
| clashing over control of diamond production.Danny | | | | - State of Play (2009). This fast-paced and |
| Archer, a South African diamond smuggler gets | | | | plot-twisting movie involves two journalists - a |
| caught in the act and journalist Maddy Brown | | | | traditional reporter for the Washington Post and a |
| agrees to help him out of Africa if he spills the | | | | blogger - in their relentless pursuit to uncover the |
| information she needs to expose the secrets of | | | | conspiracy and truth behind two seemingly |
| the blood diamond industry (diamonds acquired | | | | unrelated deaths, one of which is a |
| through forced labour and slavery). Journalism, | | | | Congressman's assistant. Their efforts expose a |
| therefore, is essential in holding those trading | | | | corporate cover-up and show the results that |
| conflict diamonds accountable. | | | | persistent and passionate journalism can wield. |
| - Almost famous (2001). This Cameron Crowe | | | | If you're a fan of journalism movies and love |
| film follows a teenage journalist, William Miller, who | | | | getting swept up in the drama, emotions and |
| wants to break into the music journalism industry. | | | | excitement of uncovering and following important |
| He falls into an assignment for Rolling Stone | | | | stories and breakthroughs, then perhaps you are |
| magazine to follow and report on rock band | | | | suited to a career in journalism. Investigate your |
| Stillwater. His difficulty in extracting interviews and | | | | nearest school of journalism and enrol in a |
| information from the band members, and his | | | | journalism course - you'll be on your way to |
| uncensored exposure to the dark side of the | | | | uncovering the next Woodward and Bernstein |
| music industry highlights the challenges that come | | | | scandal! |
| with the journalist's profession and the | | | | Don't just watch journalism - do it! |