All the President’s Men – Writing Assignment

DUE: MONDAY, JANUARY 5 AT THE BEGINNING OF CLASS

(including turnitin.com submission)

Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein did more that just report the facts, as the old standard of journalism would have them do. They researched, investigated, and uncovered facts… facts that were hidden by the government, including the top dog, President Nixon. The breaking of the so-called Watergate Scandal began a new era in journalism in this country. Readers (the public) could now trust journalists to serve as a ‘watchdog’ to keep a close eye on the leaders, politicians, and powerbrokers to whom the general public has little or no access. This ‘new era’ meant that journalism could now truly serve the public, one of the primary goals and responsibilities of the profession.

For your written response to the film All the President’s Men, choose one of the following options:

OPTION 1

Think about the role of journalism in our society today. Is it used to inform the public? Entertain the public? Scare the public? Does journalism truly serve the public, or is it just another industry trying to make a profit? What’s the general relationship between journalists and government officials? Between journalists and celebrities? Between journalists and the common citizen?

In a well-organized, polished, well-supported essay, answer the following basic question:

Are we still in the era of journalism that began with the Watergate scandal or does journalism play a different role in society today?

• Be sure to give specific examples from the movie

• Be sure to give specific examples and from the news and society today

• Proofread, spell-check, etc… this is a formal essay and should be mistake-free

FORMAT: about 350-500 words (2-3 pages, double-spaced, with a 12-point font)

OPTION 2

Write a 2-3 page analysis of Bob Woodward’s and Carl Bernstein’s reporting skills in their coverage and reporting of the Watergate scandal. In your essay, comment on each of the following:

• The similarities and differences in their reporting styles

• The effectiveness of their newsgathering (which reporter’s style is more effective at gathering accurate information and why?)

• Their interviewing skills (which interviews were successful and why?)

• Their journalistic ethics - do they do the “right” thing? Are they always professional and ethical? Do they bend their ethics to get the story? Is this ok or not? Why or why not?

Your essay must include specific examples from the film to support your ideas.

FORMAT: about 350-500 words (2-3 pages, double-spaced, 12-point font)