"Shock and Awe"

 Thoughts on "Shock and Awe"

Photo: Amazon, Prime Video

This movie had me hooked the entire time. Since it is based on real characters and real events, this film has a lasting effect on the viewer. As a college student getting ready to enter the media world, seeing the events that these journalists went through during their battle to simply tell the truth, was hard-hitting. 

The underlying theme of this movie is the reaction and behavior of the press during the run-up to the U.S. government’s illegal invasion of Iraq in 2003. During this time, tension and anxiety was at an all time high, prompting questionable actions and decisions. 

Press behavior didn't strike me as atypical. All reporters are racing to get to the story first. They are searching for sources, reaching out to everyone they can get in contact with, and it doesn't matter whose toes they have to step on. 

However, while it was frustrating that people were leaking information to larger publications, such as The New York Times, this is typical in the media world. Unfortunately, even if it is false information, people will continue to give out the knowledge they have, and it is then up to the reporters to figure out if it is true or not.  

Photo: Strobel & Landay; Credit: Robert Ebert

In the Knight Ridder newsroom, Jonathan Landay and Warren Strobel, were doing exactly what good journalists are expected to do. They spent their time questioning the government, instead of just going along with what the officials and other media outlets were saying.

The nation was under great distress, wondering if the claims that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction in his possession were true or not. Landay and Strobel questioned the Bush administration and were skeptical of this claim. While they were questioning the government, everyone was questioning them as reporters.  

It takes a lot of guts and hard work to go against what the government is saying. People tend to trust the government, although that is going in a different direction today. There are also media outlets that are heavily influenced by the government, which can be seen in "Shock and Awe." 

Photo: Bush, Radio Free Europe

The New York Times was not skeptical of the government, and the Bush administration was using the media to get their message out, which caused a mass amount of worry and stress. 

This in turn, created issues for the reporters at Knight Ridder. Yes, news is like a game. Who can get there first and who is telling the truth? Knight Ridder was first to the truth, but when everyone is in tune with the justifications from the government and major publications, their first thought was to turn on reporters such as Landay and Strobel. 

We saw the men at the barbecue turning on Landay and Strobel, treating them like they were the enemy. When they were really doing the right thing. But this is a prime example that people are more likely to go along with what mass media outlets are saying, which throws off public opinion and behavior. 

For journalists and everyone, the truth is what matters the most. Sometimes the truth is ugly and people don't necessarily want to hear it, but the truth needs to be told. News can never always be a positive thing because they are very negative events happening in our country and world every single day. 

This movie parallels a lot to what is happening today. Tensions have been running high between the press and the government for a very long time now. Since before the illegal invasion in 2003. 

The media's primary duty is to present the public with information and alert us when important events occur. Reporters will always be getting various information about different events and topics. 

It is important that we do what is right and look at all sides of a story. If we are so focused on one version of the story, then the way Landay and Strobel were treated and swept under the rug, will continue to happen in the media. 

Photo: Variety