Here's a non-exhaustive list of movies that tackle ethical issues as part of the plot.
Absence of Malice (1981)-Sally Field is a reporter who gains access to confidential information about a businessmen (Paul Newman). The film's publicity blurb poses the scenario: Suppose you pick up a newspaper and your life was the front page story ... and everything they said was accurate, but none of it was true.
All the President's Men (1976)-The classic story of two Washington Post journalists who helped force President Nixon to resign in disgrace.
Broadcast News (1987)-A quirky romantic comedy involving three ambitious journalists. The ethical dilemma raised by the movie is how does a reporter get to cry in reaction to a touching story, when there's only one camera at the interview?
Capote (2005)-The award-winning story of Truman Capote's research for his book In Cold Blood, an account of the murder of a Kansas family, during which the writer develops a close relationship with Perry Smith, one of the killers, leading to ethically suspect actions.
Citizen Kane (1941)-An Orson Wells masterpiece of the rise and fall of fictitious newspaper tycoon Charles Foster (considered a thinly disguised William Randolph Hearst), one of the true greats of the journalism film genre.
Fahrenheit 9/11-American docu-dramatist Michael Moore (after looking at high school shootings in Bowling for Columbine), takes on the Bush White House and their foreign policy post 9/11.
Good Night and Good luck (2005)-Directed by George Clooney, the film recreates the face off between American television news icon Edward R. Murrow and the infamous Senator Joseph McCarthy.
The Insider (1999)-Russell Crowe in the true story of a scientist with a major tobacco company revealing damaging information to the American 60 Minutes team, including the iconic reporter, Mike Wallace.
The Killing Fields (1984)-The story of an American journalist who won a Pulitzer Prize for his coverage of Cambodia in the Pol Pot era. The Cambodian friend that made it possible was left behind, and this is their story. A very moving tale.
Network (1976)-Starring Australian Peter Finch in one of his most memorable roles as the ‘mad prophet of the airwaves', this is an indictment of the television news media. As relevant today as it was in the seventies.
Outfoxed (2004)-Outfoxed examines Rupert Murdoch's Fox News and its approach to television ‘news'. The film shows the dangers of ever-enlarging media groups controlling of the public's right to know.
Shattered Glass (2003)-It recounts how disgraced serial fabricator Stephen Glass was exposed.
Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)-Megalomaniac media mogul Elliot Carver tries to start World War III by trying to convince Britain and China that each is making hostile advances towards the other. James Bond to the rescue.
Under Fire (1983)-Three American journalists in war-ravaged Nicaragua in 1979, struggling with objectivity during political upheaval.
Veronica Guerin (2003)-Kate Blanchett in the true story of Irish journalist Veronica Guerin who paid the ultimate price for pursuing truth.
Wag the Dog (1997)-A Washington spin-doctor and a Hollywood producer join forces to ‘fabricate' a war to cover up a presidential sex scandal.
The Year of Living Dangerously-A young Mel Gibson as the Australian radio reporter in Indonesia during the 1950's revolution.
There are many other movies with a journalistic theme-but these are some of the better ones, and the ones that are easily found in your local video shop, or, as one of the authors has found, often in ‘remaindered' bins as very reasonable prices. Work your way through some of these on cold, rainy days.
