Keywords - American History, Watergate, Nixon, President, politics, ethics,
film, movie, All The President’s Men, Washington Post reporter, cover-up,
political, Robert Redford, Dustin Hoffman, Woodward, Berstein, Warner Brothers,
Wildwood
Nixon was considered an expert at controlling the media.
However, from early in his career, Nixon considered the Press his enemy.Always wary of the press corps,
Watergate proved to be something to fear.
“On August 8, 1974,
Richard M. Nixon addressed the nation for
the final time. "I have never been
a quitter," Nixon said. "To leave office before my term is completed
is abhorrent to every instinct in my body, but as president, I must put the
interest of America first." Facing the media, which had raised him up,
become his enemy, and helped to bring him down, the president
resigned.”(PBS)
Objective
Possible topics of discussion-
Watch the film, All the President’s Men, and review select documents on
Watergate. Discuss the following questions:
What
role does the media play in the Presidency?
Is the
role always appropriate, in your opinion?
Do you
consider the media one of the checks and balances of our political system?
Is
there ever a time when you think the press should suppress a story about
the President or his family?
How
did Nixon and other presidents control or attempt to control the press.
Should
everything about a Presidential candidate’s life be “fair
game” for the Press?
What
role did the Watergate tapes play in Nixon’s downfall?
Do you
think that all presidential conversations should be taped?
Just before the 1972 Presidential
election, Bob Woodward from the Washington Post uncovered what appeared to be a
minor break-in at the Watergate Democratic Party
National headquarters.As he
worked on the story, it became more and more apparent that there were powerful
people behind the break-in.
This groundbreaking journalism
led to the instigation of impeachment proceedings against President Nixon, the
resignation of a president, and the jailing of top presidential aides.
Genre(s)
- Drama
Rating
- PG
Family
Rating - not available
Running
Time- 2 hrs. 18
min.
Primary Actors- Robert Redford, Dustin Hoffman, Hal Holbrook, Jane
Alexander
Director
- Alan J. Pakula
Music
– David Shire
Writing Credits – Berstein and Woodward
Producers - Walter Coblenz
Studio
– Warner Bros. Home Video
Film 2: Biography: Richard
Nixon: Man and President
Synopsis:
BIOGRAPHY® offers an in-depth look at Nixon’s Presidency
from the time of his historic visits to China until his career came crashing
down in the spectacle of Watergate.Rare scrapbook photos and interviews with close friends and observers,
offers a fresh look at this presidency.
Genre(s)
- Documentary
Rating
- N/R
Family
Rating - Not available
Running
Time - 1 hr. 40 min.
Primary Actors - Richard Nixon and his close friends and staff
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