As a result of Woodward and Bernstein’s extensive coverage of the Watergate scandal, many people decided to join the field of journalism. People saw journalism as an exciting field that could effect change in the world and the way the government functions. After the Watergate story, young journalists felt free to criticize the actions of the government. Woodward and Bernstein encouraged people to question the truth rather than accepting it, even if it meant contradicting powerful individuals.
They also encouraged people to look for the full truth rather than just the final effects of events such as Watergate. For example, they encouraged journalists to conduct investigations rather than just state events. In the context of Watergate, this meant figuring out who was behind the robbery rather than just printing that there was a robbery at the DNC headquarters. [2]
Woodward and Bernstein’s legacy remains as relevant today as it was in the 1970s. In a time where fundamental human rights and civil liberties are threatened, it is critical to have a free and fair press. A successful democracy needs a press that is willing to question and challenge inconsistencies by government officials. For example, during and after the 2016 presidential election, allegations were made against both candidates and highlighted through media coverage. This media coverage greatly influenced polling and the results of the election overall. Though the facts presented may not have been verifiable, Woodward and Bernstein set the expectation for what can be done when journalists hold powerful individuals accountable for their actions. As Wendell Phillips said, “Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.” [3]
Woodward and Bernstein on CBS, 2014 [7]
Footnotes:
- Header Image: "The Kalb Report - Writing History: Bob Woodward, Carl Bernstein and Journalism's Finest Hour," video file, Youtube, posted by The National Press Club, October 20, 2014, accessed February 3, 2017, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=554xlab-u2s.
- Tonei Glavinic, "Watergate and the Washington Post: Questionable Tactics in Service to Democracy," Inquiries Journal 4, no. 2, accessed January 16, 2017, http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/618/watergate-and-the-washington-post-questionable-tactics-in-service-to-democracy.
- Robert Deis, "Eternal Vigilance Is the Price of Liberty," This Day in Quotes, last modified January 28, 2015, accessed February 1, 2017, http://www.thisdayinquotes.com/2011/01/eternal-vigilance-is-price-of-liberty.html.
- Robert G. Kaiser, "The Bad News about the News," The Brookings Essay, last modified October 16, 2014, accessed February 5, 2017, http://csweb.brookings.edu/content/research/essays/2014/bad-news.html#.
- Indianapolis Public Library, "40th Annual McFadden Memorial Lecture," The Indianapolis Public Library, last modified March 11, 2011, accessed February 5, 2017, http://www.indypl.org/mcfadden/woodward/.
- Carl Francis, "Good Journalism Should Challenge People...Carl Bernstein," EnvisianStrategic (blog), entry posted 2016, accessed February 5, 2017, http://envisian.com/blog/2016/9/1/good-journalism-should-challenge-people-carl-bernstein.
- "The Story behind 'All the President's Men,'" video file, 00:46, YouTube, posted by CBS Sunday Morning, June 15, 2014, accessed February 5, 2017, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOwjLJA6R44.
- Harry Ransom Center, "Fan Letter," Harry Ransom Center: The University of Texas at Austin, accessed February 5, 2017, http://www.hrc.utexas.edu/exhibitions/web/woodstein/post/dollar_detail.html.
- Jaime Fuller, "Quiz: Did Richard Nixon ACTUALLY say that?," Washington Post, [Page #], accessed February 9, 2017, https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2014/08/08/quiz-did-richard-nixon-actually-say-that/?utm_term=.369f2e015c0f.