The other night I watched two movies about
journalism, true stories about two very different
reporters.
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SCOTT HUNTER HADDOW |
Veronica Guerin was about the Irish reporter
who tackled big time mobsters, and eventually through her
investigative reporting, exposed their criminal activities and
the legacy of drug addicts their behaviour created in
Ireland.
Guerin (played by Cate Blancett) was what
every journalist should strive to be, but she paid a high price
for her work.
From the opening scene of Guerin beating a
speeding ticket in court to her driving along the open roads of
Ireland, you instantly connect with her
character.
She's intelligent, funny and cheery, which is
the complete opposite of the news she covers.
The film then takes us back in time to follow
Guerin's path that eventually ends up with mobsters attempting
to execute her.
Guerin was in a tough spot, and it motivated
her.
As she gathered more information about the
drug problem, she increasingly encountered more and more
trouble.
At times, Guerin, who was married and has a
son, encounters disturbing, physical violence. Yet, she still
pursues the truth with steadfast loyalty.
Her own safety becomes an afterthought. When
the mobsters threaten her family, she asks them to go into
hiding while she seeks the truth. In the end, Guerin is
dispatched by two gangsters on a motorbike while she is talking
on her cellphone.
All across Ireland, people mourned and
demanding retribution for Guerin's death.
They get it when the criminals are brought to
justice.
As much as I admired Guerin, I had the
opposite reaction watching Broken Glass. This is the movie
about former New Republic writer Stephen Glass, who fabricated
27 of the 41 stories he did for the influential American
political magazine.
Glass's stories were too good to be
true.
He always had a story that evoked thought and
laughter from his audience, bosses and peers.
He was considered a superstar in the making
until an online journalist began to get suspicious about a
hacker conference story by Glass.
The online reporter wanted to do a follow-up
story, but couldn't find any of the sources or companies Glass
had quoted in his story.
Glass's web of lies then begins to unravel
and he lies even more to cover up his sloppy tracks.
He's eventually fired for his mockery of
print journalism.
Guerin represents what reporters should be,
but can't always be because of personal situations,
resourceful, willing and determined. Glass represents what
reporters shouldn't be: stone-faced liars.
Journalists seek the truth, and if they
themselves are liars, how can they accurately portray the
truth?
Regardless of what profession you're in,
Veronica Guerin and Broken Glass make for solid entertainment
and education.
Scott Hunter Haddow can be reached at
[email protected].
