Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free Press

Since its independence, the United States of America has been bragging to the rest of the world about their freedom of speech in general;and, in particular about their Fourth Estate and first amendment. From its self-perceived pedestal, it always gives lessons to other countries about how to keep separated the political and economical influences from journalism in order for the latter to strive as an unbiased reality-check.
Basically, it is a pipe dream. Let be clear, I have nothing against dreaming big, having lofty goals or striving for achieve an ideal. However, there has to be actions that map out those ideals or goals. It is not enough to have a well-oiled rhetoric. That is why the documentary “Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free Press” is a wake-up call not only for the American citizens but also for the rest of the world about the so-called objectivity of journalism.
Of course, there were attempts in the past to shed lights on the dark and hidden side of the journalism. For example, there is the masterpiece, considered by the American Film Institute as the greatest film ever, “Citizen Kane” in 1941 which depicted in a fictional way, but with here and there some nuggets of truth, the personal and professional life of the magnate William Randolph Hearst. I am not trying to compare in any way, shape or form the two different pieces of artwork.
Yet, they have something in common. The power of money and influence over the journalists’ independence. By the way, it is an argument tabu in the US because of the aforementioned sense of entitlement towards the virginity of the Fourth Estate. Therefore, Brian Knappenberger , the man behind the camera, took a huge risk to unveil to the public the ferocity with which billionaires Peter Thiel and Sheldon Adelson get revenge respectively of the gossip news breaker website Gawker and Las Vegas Review-Journal. As ice on top of the cake, there is the tensed and hateful relationship between the media and the billionaire American president.
To say the least, America has to look itself in a mirror and audit its incestuous relationship between big-money and journalism. It bears a lot but with successful breakthrough technology/media companies come an almost suffocating responsibility. Obviously, this is not a new theme yet heightened by the catalyst effect of the new and disruptive technologies. Maybe, just maybe, the harsh truth behind the glamorous appearance of Internet-leveraging-the-playing-field is that as usual, few movers-and-shakers have always the last word. Who knows where lies the actual truth?
