JOURNALISM ETHICS
Because much of the movie already had journalist motives behind it, and was pretty accurate, we decided instead of talking about media effect theories that it would be best to show how the movie and the story incorporated journalism ethics.
According to the Society of Professional Journalist's Code of Ethics, there are four areas that all news outlets should meet.
Seek Truth and Report it:
"Journalists should be honest, fair, and courageous in gathering, reporting and interpreting information."
In "The Insider" Lowell Bergman was as honest as they come in this profession. He never forced Wigand to talk but kept urging him to talk until he was ready and gave him a voice when he was ready to talk. He thought it was important to publicize and news worthy for the public's knowledge.
In the opening scene of the movie it is immediately established that Bergman's goal and CBS's was to achieve truth. When with the sheikh he is asked to give the interview questions. In reply he said "you know our reputation for integrity and objectivity. You also know we are the highest-rated, most-respected, TV-magazine news show in America."
Minimize Harm:
"Ethical Journalists treat sources, subjects, and colleagues as human beings deserving of respect."
Bergman never once treated Wigand like he was simply his way of getting ahead. He made it clear that it was his job to report a story when he thought it was important, but never made Wigand reveal information he wasn't comfortable with yet. He was there not only as a voice to Wigand's information, but as a friend and a supportive confidante. He talked with him on the phone and showed compassion when he got anxious and scarred or upset. Even though at the end he couldn't protect him from the confidentiality agreement and had to air him anonymously, he did everything in his power to protect him, and claims to have learned from that experience.
In this scene, it depicts the relationship and friendship between the two. And that when Wigand finally crumbled, Bergman sought to minimize the harm and reassure him that what he was doing was worth it.
Act Independently:
"Journalists should be free of obligation to any interest other than the public's right to know."
Lowell Bergman found this story on his own and was disappointed when the story was not aired, because it was such a great truth. It was said that, "The greater the truth the greater the damage", due to threats that the company would be sued for "tortious interference", which made a difficult road block in airing the full story. He figured, as a journalist, his allegiance is to the public so he took the story elsewhere and had it aired on PBS FRONTLINE as Smoke in the Eye: Why did CBS and ABC back off from exposés on the tobacco industry?
Be Accountable:
"Journalists are accountable to their readers, listeners, viewers and each other."
As a journalist, Bergman didn't hide behind his story and claim his anonymity, even though CBS thought it would be safer for the company to not air the entire thing. Bergman then made the decision to take his story to PBS and had them air it under his name no matter the grievances he was to receive from doing it.
He fought to the end to get the story published and in his meeting with the CBS chairmen told them that they were accountable for getting the story out of the public and that once again, as journalists, it was their duty to provide the truth.
While much of the movie worked towards producing the idea that CBS and Bergman had ethical reporting, it also shows how corporations can influence investigative reporting due to financial issues or ratings. In today's world, as the public seems to care less and less about news, media outlets walk a fine line between reporting on what is important and truthful and reporting on what will actually sell.
Overall, the film takes several sides of journalism and represents them fairly. It may show Wigand as some type of hero for following through with the story, and Bergman is also played on a heroic pedestal for his efforts in producing the story. While those aspects might be dramatized and a product of Hollywood the main ides that were present were accurate.
THEMES
The most common theme presented throughout the film is a recurring one in American cinema: an individual is faced with opposition from powerful agencies while trying to speak out for the truth. This theme is complicated — in reality and in the film — by outside factors. In the film, Bergman feels disenchanted by what he sees as a betrayal of media ethics. He resigns from CBS immediately, but in reality, CBS was threatened with the possibility of a lawsuit. The network had to protect its interests.
Dark Tone
This film is not a "feel-good" hit. Its depressive and dark tone clearly portrays a restriction of freedom and crumbling in the face of strife. The common American cinematic themes of freedom and new beginnings are completely absent.
The cinematography techniques used by Dante Spinotti create a dark and intimate atmosphere that sometimes feels claustrophobic. His use of handheld cameras portray the feeling of a documentary rather than a typical film.
Impersonal places are key to the scenery and tones of the film. Instead of open, public areas filled with happy people, the film resides in freeways, hotels, conference rooms, studios and airports. These "non-places" are spaces where people only pass through on their way to somewhere else. The background noise of ringing mobile phones shines a light on the lonely atmosphere amid all the communication.
Often when Jeffrey Wigand, as portrayed by Russell Crowe, is on screen, members of the audience have to empathize with the man and ask if something is seriously wrong with him. He is depicted as mentally disturbed — becoming lost in his daydreams of his family — while still going up against opposition and persecution from the tobacco industry. He has a quick temper, nervous and awkward body language and movements, vacant stares and glazed eyes. He drinks a lot, and in one scene is unresponsive when talked to through the door of his hotel room, lost in his daydream.
Shared Disillusion
Viewers of the film follow and observe Wigand throughout the events, with Lowell Bergman serving as guide — not only for Wigand but for the audience itself. The opening of the film depicted Bergman's point-of-view, showing us the inside of a wrap over his eyes. The disillusion is shared by the audience, by Wigand and by Bergman: the truth is always reported and the "good guys" live to persevere.
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