All the President’s Men is a political thriller that explores the presidency-ending Watergate scandal through the eyes of committed investigative journalists. A singular article sparked nationwide political uproar and change, but in today’s polarizing political climate with partisan news outlets and the spread of rampant misinformation, would it even be seen as a noteworthy offense?
During former President Nixon’s reelection campaign, an attempted burglary of the Democratic National Committee headquarters transpired in the Watergate office building. The botched robbery led to an extensive uncovering of the corruption that Nixon’s administration and reelection committee were founded on. Two inexperienced journalists, Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, unearthed the truth behind the exploit with the help of former FBI Deputy Director Mark Felt under the pseudonym “Deep Throat” in 2005.
All the President’s Men reveals the true importance of free press and investigative journalism during times of political tension and controversy. In the film, the secrets behind the investigation were published under the reputable name of the Washington Post. The uneasy information spread across the nation hastily, distressing citizens and weakening Nixon’s legitimacy as he attempted to get re-elected. The scandal became infamous, with the name “Watergate” becoming synonymous with political crime and corruption.
While Watergate may have gone down as one of the biggest scandals in any American presidency, the fast-changing spread of information in modern politics is shifting the scope of what determines a reputation-altering disgrace. In the current day and age, a tan suit may be seen as an inexcusable and unpresidential lack of professionalism, but openly mocking a disabled reporter in front of a crowd and a national audience is brushed off as an innate aspect of one’s nature.
News outlets are becoming increasingly biased and extreme, with even traditionally moderate outlets beginning to lean far left or right. In today’s deeply divided nation, staying neutral or impartial on political issues has become nearly impossible. With such contentious topics dominating the conversation, it is necessary to be able to take a stand. But, as political polarization continues to rise, many citizens are reluctant to turn against their elected officials. Could a scandal as significant as Watergate still be enough to sway American voters away from a sitting president?
