In the 1976 film All The Presidents Men, journalistic ethics espoused by the Society of Professional Journalists were put on center stage as reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein exposed the Watergate scandal.
Although most of Woodward and Bernstein’s information gathering techniques were legally sound, some would argue that their practices violated the ethical pillars of journalism.
In particular, there were two principles that come into question while examining the two’s actions; seeking truth and reporting it, and minimizing harm. Woodward and Bernstein were faced with the decision to expose the identity of their informants and sustain credibility with the public, or withhold the identity of their sources and lose credibility within the public. They chose the latter, and faced tough backlash from the public.
Another ethical pillar up for debate is that of minimizing harm. Woodward and Bernstein were often faced with the decision to press harder, or stop questioning. Their choice to continue questioning sources, in specific Bernstein’s decision to question a former committee bookkeeper. Some would way Bernstein backed the bookkeeper into a corner with his questions, and by doing so risked her safety. Some would also argue that Bernstein utilized a utilitarian school of thought in conducting his interviews. In other words, Bernstein was driven by the idea that it is ethical to harm one person for the benefit of the group.
Weaving the legal concept of prior restraint into the actions of Woodward and Bernstein, and of the Washington Post as a whole, the paper had the legal right to publish its findings due to the ruling of Near v. Minnesota. Specifically, the findings were not a matter of national security, so they are covered under the first amendment.
In examining the situation from a novice, outsider’s perspective, I believe that although Woodward and Bernstein may have violated the ethical pillars of minimizing harm and seeking the truth, their efforts served the greater good of society.
Their techniques were sometimes unconventional, but provided substantial information into a scandal that pierced deep into American politics. In addition, the unique time period that the scandal occurred throughout provides an interesting context for debate amongst communication scholars.
The longstanding impact of Woodward and Bernstein’s work on exposing the Watergate scandal still resonates with both aspiring and established journalists today. The magnitude of the story they exposed shined light on the profession and it’s importance, and helped breed a new crop of journalists that are hungry for compelling stories.
Jacob Tepper
Sources- 3.2 Prior Restraints, 4.1 Introductions to Journalism Ethics
http://www.spj.org/ethicscode.asp
All The Presidents Men (Film)