Watergate

Multimedia Resources:
"We're under a lot of pressure you know."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/video/2007/05/24/VI2007052401646.html?hpid=topnews
"When is somebody gonna go on the record in this story?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/video/2007/05/24/VI2007052401591.html?hpid=topnews
"Follow the money."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/video/2007/05/24/VI2007052401497.html?hpid=topnews

Ben Bradlee discusses "Deep Throat"
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/video/2007/05/24/VI2007052401252.html?hpid=topnews
Bob Woodward discusses "Deep Throat"
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/video/2007/05/24/VI2007052401263.html?hpid=topnews
Analysis of the journalistic legacy of the Watergate story:
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/media/jan-june02/watergate_6-17.html

The Washington Post's coverage of "All the President's Men"
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/features/dcmovies/allthepresidentsmen.htm

Lesson Plans and Activities/Resources/Past Posts:
http://www.landmarkcases.org/nixon/hunt.html
http://hansengeorge.blogspot.com/2007/12/watergate.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/longterm/watergate/post.htm

Questions to think about with regard to anonymous sources:
Why do you think journalists are willing to use anonymous sources? Do you think journalists are to quick to grant anonymity? Do you think if they pushed harder, they could get a source to go on the record? What risk do journalists and editors take when using anonymous sources? What risk do they take not using anonymous sources? (Do you think some stories might never come out if anonymity was not an option?) If an anonymous source is used, what standards should papers follow to ensure accuracy?


Our Assignment:
1. Analyze the impact the Post's coverage of Watergate had on investigative journalism.
2. Criticize or defend, techniques used by Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein.
3. Discuss the proper use of anonymous and unnamed sources. Discuss the controversy surrounding the use of anonymous sources.
4. Using history and the resignation of President Nixon, discuss the power of the media and its treatment of public officials during and since the Nixon administration.