Poignant, relevant, and informative, the new documentary, “Page One: Inside the New York Times,” centers on the operations of America’s newspaper of record at a crucial time of major transitions and revolutionary changes of creating and consuming news
Is rigorous journalism in danger of extinction? At the heart of the docu is the significant question of what will happen if the fast-moving future of media leaves behind the fact-based reporting that helps to inform our citizens and define our culture?
The filmmakers, Andrew Rossi and Kate Novack (who have previously made the equally intriguing feature, “Le Cirque: A Table in Heaven”) have gained unprecedented access to the Times’ long-hidden inner sanctum for a year, just as the paper is confronting lay-offs, the game-changing emergence of WikiLeaks, and questions about whether the newspaper itself could go bankrupt as print outlets across the country collapse.
With the Internet surpassing print as our main news source and print all over the country going bankrupt, “Page One” depicts the inner workings of the Media Desk by placing it against the broader contexts of the news media industries at a time of greatest turmoil.
Writers like Brian Stelter, Tim Arango, and David Carr track the transformation of print journalism, while discussing their own paper struggles to stay vital and solvent—and maintains its prestigious status.
We watch how the editors and publishers grapple with growing challenges from players like WikiLeaks, and new platforms ranging from Twitter to tablet computers. They also do not neglect the issue of readers’ expectations that news online should be truly democratic and free for all.
“Page One” offers an inside look at the vibrant debates and collaborations, tenacious jockeying for on-the-record quotes, and skillful page-one pitching that produce the “daily miracle” of a great news organization.
In the end, what emerges is a multi-nuanced portrait of hard-working, competitive journalists, operating under increasingly difficult—and changing– circumstances. “Page Pne” provides a well-rounded view into a world where Old School values are colliding–and sometimes converging–with a new future.
