In 1976, the film “All the President’s Men” was released. It told the story of two Washington Post journalists who set out to uncover the truth about the Watergate affair. Journalists Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward rapidly uncover a massive cover-up when no one they approach will disclose any information. Bernstein and Woodward eventually end up on a chase in search of a frightening truth. While seemingly grasping at straws, they never give up on their investigation to find the truth.
They are finally able to publish the first story because of their perseverance. The story accuses high-ranking officials close to the president of engaging in criminal activity. As a result, the two reporters find themselves between a rock and a hard place. “Not that there’s a lot riding on this. Only the First Amendment and Freedom of the Press and maybe the future of our democracy,” Ben Bradlee, executive editor of the Washington Post, said. That became one of the most famous–if not the most famous—line from the movie. It shows us just how truly significant this investigation was. If it went wrong, the entire Constitution could’ve been uprooted.
Almost every government department was involved in the cover-up. They tried to prevent the Washington Post from publishing their articles. If they had succeeded, it would have made a completely different narrative for our country’s views on freedom of speech and freedom of press.
Bernstein, Woodward and Bradlee risked their lives by going out and getting the story. Watergate would not have been a national scandal if they hadn’t done so. They continued to carry the news and to write and publish their stories that led all the way to the president. Without that, the rule of freedom of the press would have been broken. This would have torn down one of America’s founding freedoms in the process.
The plot of “All The President’s Men” is unique. The entire film revolves around the search for any kind of information. Although Woodward and Bernstein are aware that there is some kind of scandal going on, they find it difficult to craft a plausible story with credible witnesses. When they eventually get their hands on the desired information, things only become worse.
But they persevere and through courage and hard work, they uncover one of the most serious challenges to U.S. democracy of the 20th century. That work offers lessons that continue to shine through time.
