Investigative Reporting: Deceptive, or Good Critical Thinking?

 How about a movie?
Good journalism is not only found in newsrooms, and news broadcasting studios, but it can be found weaved into the nuances of everyday life. When we read the paper, watch the television, or even check our social networking sites, journalism is there. One great movie that highlights the aspects of good, fresh, and young journalism is All the President's Men.

All the President's Men: Background of Journalism
The movie All the President's Men gives viewers an in depth look at the intense investigative journalism focused on the Watergate scandal that took place during the presidency of Nixon. The Washington Post at this time was seen as a Communist sympathizer, and was therefore overshadowed by The New York Times. Yet the people who worked for the Post were insistent on getting ahead to be able to compete with the New York Times.

Woodward and Bernstein
Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein are both two young reporters from the Washington Post that are investigating this scandal. Bob Woodward is new to the Washington Post seeing as he has only worked there for 9 months. Carl Bernstein however, has been working for the Post since he was 16. Both exuberantly young journalists for the Washington Post, they had many refreshing and unique ideas, and investigative tactics to cohesively incorporate into their story on the Watergate scandal of Nixon.

Woodward: Investigative
Bob Woodward is engrossed in investigating this scandal. He is inquisitive, persistent, and poised; hoping to construct an relevant and accurate story. Woodward cracks the aliases of the 5 men involved in the scandal, by going to the hearing for this case and talking to a man who is possibly a lawyer for the 5 guilty men. Woodward's perseverance gets him the answers to his direct, and carefully crafted questions throughout the movie.

Bernstein: Accuracy 
Carl Bernstein on the other hand, first attempts to steal Woodward's story. Their editor sees them in a quarrel, and then decides that with Bernstein's accuracy and Woodward's investigative skills they could be a great team. Sure enough these two were able to search through phone books, checkout cards at the Library of Congress, and make phone calls that got them eventually to make a direct connection between the president and a burglary.

Answer to the Question
Therefore the investigative reporting carried out by Woodward and Bernstein was not necessarily deceptive because of the situation. It should be seen as good critical thinking, and overall good journalism.