Yes, yes, I know Murdoch and his News Corp have created a juggernaut in the media world around the globe. I've had mixed emotions while following revelations of the sleazy underbelly of Murdoch's way of delivering what he considers news."
So it was a profound pleasure the other night to view the documentary about the New York Times entitled "Page One" at the Angelika, my favorite movie theatre in Manhattan. The cameras follow around as Times reporters and executives do their job. And their job, as they describe it, is providing the best journalism in the world on "all the news that's fit to print."
None of them refers to that famous tagline in the movie. But it was on my mind as I watched them voice their opinions and decisions regarding just what is worthy of reportage and just how that reportage should be done. These are journalists at the top of their game and passionate about it. Excellence is the standard against which their work is measured. Putting out the Times, especially the thrill of competition over what is deemed appropriate for Page One every day is in their DNA.
Ironically, the questions that hangs--unresolved--over the documentary is whether the New York Times will survive the cataclysmic upheaval of the world of traditional journalism, and if it does, in what ways it will have to change to sustain that survival.
The central players in the film discuss what is at stake to ensure the "Grey Lady's continued longevity and it's not at all a sure thing." I found myself immensely impressed with each of them, even inspired with their dedication to the standard of excellence to which they have committed their work. It's real time dialog and I loved it.
As documentaries go, it's not the greatest and the back and forth of the story line is frustrating. But this film makes me have even greater reverence for this extraordinary world class institution. And I feel privileged to be a New Yorker, knowing its drama is played out daily right here on the streets of the Big Apple.
I hope they figure out a survival strategy that works. The New York Times is at the very heart of what makes America great.
Murdoch, for shame. You represent us at our sleaziest and some of us resent it. I'm one of them.
Author of I is for Intercourse: The ABC's of Conversation, Susan Bird is the visionary behind Wf360, and a sought-after speaker around the world for her views on leadership, the strategic importance of conversation, entrepreneurship, and the role of women business leaders.
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