Review of Page One: Inside the New York Times (2011) by Joanna B — 01 Mar 2016

Has the newspaper industry reached its peak? Is print in ashes? Will the great Grey lady called the New York Times cease to exist, and if so what does that mean?

As newspapers smack head on into the wall of its most tumultuous time in history, filmmaker Andrew Rossi gains unprecedented access to newsroom of the iconic New York Times to document either its demise or survival.

For approximately 12 months through 2009/10 Rossi shadows journalists on the newly created Media Desk, a department started to tract the transformation of the media landscape and map how new digital advances are going to shape the future of the industry. A future where stop press may have an entirely new and dire meaning.

Using the desk as a prism, a complex outline highlight both the perils and opportunities of this quickly evolving beast and its relationship to the Times itself emerges. Rossi and camera head into the still 'mostly' functioning media giant to observe the Media Desk its editor Mark Headlam and his senior reporters David Carr and Brian Stelter.

Under the shock of a number of major US paid dailies falling victim to plummeting ad revenues and the explosion of free online news and information sources, the New York Times too many observers, is a sitting duck, waiting for its turn on the chopping block. But is it really facing dire economic prospects, or is there life in the old girl yet?

According to Reporter David Carr yes she does. An interesting course-voiced, weather-beaten and frank character is a passionate representative of the Times and its traditions. A staunch defender of old fashioned in-depth interviewing, cross referencing, and carful facts driven writing, the recovered exjunkie's attack approach to scrupulous reporting makes him the hottest poster boy to print journalism since Woodward and Berstein.

However, as Editor Headlam points out things are not so clear cut. Hard facts are falling by the wayside as boundary breaking internet sites such as Wiki-leaks try to "get it out there" and ordinary citizens with a handy-cam can upload raw information to YouTube instantaneously without censorship, filters or liability but with a disconcerting slant or agenda.

In an interview captured between Stelter and WikiLeaks creator Julian Assange, it is clear the line between journalism and activist is blurred. Assange states that he would pursue justice over accurate journalism in a thought provoking self-image. This illuminating brief exchange sheds light on the broader debate about the kinds of materials published through filtered media organisations like the Times and independantly controlled websites and how they can work together.

Carl Bernstein (a Watergate reporter) once said "We need institutions that have the ability both financially and culturally to bring news that other institutions and individuals cannot" but as reporter Bill Keller states "Ellsberg needed us. Wikileaks doesn't".

Is the prestigious institution of the times competing new world vs. old world or reliable news vs. amateur propaganda, the first underlying theme to the entire documentary.

The second being profitability. The writing blood already on the wall following the firing of over 10% of its workforce, and with readers moving away from the smudgy papers to battery-powered smart things, how does a newspaper evolve to retain its readership and financial feasibility?

Wonderfully capturing the iPad's release and Carr's simple reaction "You know what this reminds me of? A newspaper." it becomes evident why the online versions of the paper will now be charging. Their evolution may see the end of print but it won't see the end of them.

The Verdict: Unglorified and Insightful whilst sidestepping offering any real answers, Page One is a real page turner focused on media's most vital and indispensable hell-raisers.

Published: The Canberra Chronicle.

Date of Publication: 10/01/2011.