Blog #14

Nothing But the Truth

You've probably noticed that I occasionally recommend renting a particular feature film when I feel that it can say things better (not to mention much more dramatically) than an Internet module discussion.

Some examples are at the end of the first chapter on newsgathering.

Nothing But the Truth, is a dramatic and highly engaging film loosely based on a recent event. It stars Kate Beckinsale, Matt Dillon, and David Schwinner, among others.

Because of distribution problems this highly rated film was not released to theaters and is only available on DVD.

Although the film version is not political, according to Wikipedia,

"Nothing but the Truth parallels the case of Valerie Plame, whose status as a CIA agent was exposed in the media after her husband, Ambassador Joe Wilson, wrote a New York Times op-ed piece charging the Bush administration with manipulating intelligence to justify the invasion of Iraq."

Unless they intend to limit themselves to innocuous things as celebrity gossip, news Nothing But the Truth people need to understand the personal responsibility that can fall on them in protecting the identity of confidential sources.

Alan Alda's presentation as a lawyer before the U.S. Supreme Court is reason enough to rent this film.

The film has some few four-letter words at one point and a rather tame sex scene between a husband and wife.

The content of the film provides background information for informed classroom debate on shield laws.

This is an engrossing film should be required viewing for people aspiring to serious news reporting.

-Ron Whittaker

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