Journalism is a fascinating and ever-evolving profession that has greatly shaped our modern world. It can bring about powerful changes in society, but also reveal the truth behind difficult issues. Documentaries are an excellent way to explore the stories of journalists who have dedicated their lives to bringing these changes to light. With this in mind, here is a look at 10 of the best documentaries about journalism. From stories of brave reporters taking on powerful adversaries, to uncovering injustices and inspiring social change, these documentaries provide an in-depth look at the world of journalism.
1. Paradise Papers: The True Story Behind The Secret Nine-Month Investigation
The world was recently shocked by the release of a massive trove of leaked documents, known as the Paradise Papers, revealing information about multinational companies and individuals who had used offshore services to avoid taxes. The findings were made public after an extensive nine-month investigation conducted in secret collaboration between over 380 investigative journalists from around the world. This project was supervised by the same team responsible for exposing similar data from Panama Papers. With this article, we will explore what is behind this story and how it has changed our understanding of global finance.
2. The murder of Jamal Khashoggi
The assassination of Jamal Khashoggi was a heinous crime that shook the world. Hatice Cengiz, Khashoggi’s fiancée, was left with an unimaginable pain as she tried to come to terms with his fate and the whereabouts of his body. This documentary will examine records, leaks and reports related to this tragedy in order to uncover whether or not the Saudi state had planned it all along. It will also feature personal testimonies from those close to him who have been struggling in their own way since then. By delving into what happened during Khashoggi’s final days, we can seek justice for this terrible injustice done against one man by an entire nation.
3. Reporters at War: Bringing It All Back Home
In today’s world, journalists face many challenges in war zones. In the last 12 years alone, over 300 reporters have been killed while covering conflicts around the globe; 200 of those deaths were caused by deliberate attacks on media personnel. Reporters at War is a documentary that examines how technology has changed journalism and how it can be used to both benefit and hinder news coverage from battle lines. It also investigates if television can influence an ongoing conflict and addresses the issue of faked footage being shown as real events. With new technologies such as satellite-driven rolling-news channels, reporters are now finding themselves thrust into roles they never anticipated or wanted – making their jobs more difficult than ever before.
4. Newspapers
From the first newspaper, The Boston News-Letter, to today’s news industry professionals such as journalists, editors and publishers – this documentary delves into the fascinating history of journalism. Through interviews with leading figures in the media world, it explores how newspapers have evolved over time and their impact on society. Get ready for an insightful journey through what makes up our modern day news!
5. A Most Dangerous Profession: Journalism
Journalism has been called the most dangerous profession, and with good reason. Since 2006, when the UN Security Council unanimously passed Resolution 1738 demanding greater safety for journalists in conflict areas, over 600 news media workers have been killed due to their work. On top of that, countless others have been intimidated into self-censorship or exile while many more are still imprisoned or missing. This resolution was a call to end impunity for those who kill journalists and yet it is clear that this has not happened as these numbers continue to rise despite its passing. It is time now for a real change in order to protect our brave journalists from harm and ensure they can do their job safely and without fear.
6. Reporters at War: War, Lies & Videotape
As one of the most dangerous and dramatic professions of modern times, war correspondents have to navigate a complex landscape when covering conflicts. Reporters At War is an investigative series that examines the difficulties faced by journalists as they attempt to report on wars while also avoiding becoming targets for enemies and dealing with restricted access to stories due to military control. By taking an in-depth look at these challenges, this three-part series will uncover the truth about reporting from the frontlines.
7. Independent journalism under pressure
In an era of increased pressure on independent journalism, the future of truth-telling hangs in the balance. From Russia to Ukraine, journalists are obstructed, injured or even killed for doing their jobs – with 81% of murder cases unsolved. But despite this grim outlook, many reporters are refusing to give up hope and are finding new ways to get their stories out into the world. Through data mining and hacking techniques, international collaborations and networks – these brave individuals have demonstrated a remarkable fighting spirit in the face of adversity. The question remains however: what is our role as citizens? Can we turn the tide and create a safer environment for truth-telling? It’s time to explore how far courage can take us when it comes to protecting freedom of speech worldwide.
8. Being a Woman in Investigative Journalism
Investigative journalism is a tough job, and even tougher for women. Mariana van Zeller, director of the new series Trafficked, knows this all too well. She has experienced firsthand the dangers that come with her profession – from meeting with gun traffickers in Mexico to gaining access to people’s secrets. But what she also found was something surprising: despite these risks, many of her interviewees opened up easily to her because she is a woman. Here, Mariana shares her experience of being a female investigative journalist and how it affected her work.
9. 7 things I’ve learned about journalism in 7 years of being a journalist
As a journalist for the past seven years, I have had the opportunity to explore many stories and uncover fascinating trends around the world. Through my work in international relations, peace and conflict resolution, as well as videography and motion graphics, I have developed an exceptional visual style that effectively communicates complex issues in easily understandable ways. My experience has taught me important lessons about journalism – here are 7 of them.
10. How a domestic worker became a fearless citizen journalist in Hong Kong
Yuli, an Indonesian domestic worker living in Hong Kong, found herself at the center of a movement when mass protests broke out against a controversial extradition bill. She quickly emerged as a powerful voice by reporting from the frontlines and livestreaming video on her digital platform “Migran Pos” in Bahasa-Indonesian.
When Yuli was arrested for a visa technicality, her story garnered international attention. As she wrote about her experiences during detention, she realized the power of words to create change. Through Yuli’s journey we get insight into how one woman can make an impact through citizen journalism even in times of great unrest.
