How did Watergate contribute to journalistic boldness?
How did the Watergate scandal contribute to the growing
boldness of journalists? In a sense, Watergate destroyed the public trust in
government. Prior to this event great respect was shown for members of the
government.
Consider how reporters never talked about F.D.R's paralysis and
television reports refused to show him in his wheelchair. It's also interesting
to realize that none of the Washington press ever reported on JFK's affairs
during his time in office.
When Watergate occurred the press pushed beyond
boundaries that in the past had been adhered to. The boundaries that the press
had observed were now no longer valid and it seems that no new mutually agreed
upon boundaries were established in their place.
We have progressed to the
point where the press pursue a possible story based on the seriousness of the
charge rather than the reliability of the facts.
Solution: How did Watergate contribute to journalistic boldness