Truth In Journalism

My Thoughts on Five Star Final

 I thought a lot about the history of journalism and how the field has battled to strike a balance between responsibility, profit, and the truth after watching Five Star Final. The press employees' actions throughout the movie show a number of ideas we have studied, particularly the emergence of the Penny Press, the influence of press barons, and a powerful approach of Yellow Journalism. I became mindful of how quickly journalism can move from informing the public to simply attracting attention as I watched the characters decide what to publish.

The newspaper in the movie behaves a lot like the early Penny Press newspapers, which was one of the most obvious similarities I saw. News was no longer limited to wealthy readers when newspapers such as The New York Sun started to sell for just a penny. Editors frequently concentrated on stories that would grab readers' attention because these publications relied on sizable audiences to survive. Scandals and crime stories were popular because they were dramatic and poignant.In Five Star Final, the newspaper decides to reopen an old murder case mainly because they believe it will sell more papers. As I watched the film, it felt clear that the goal wasn’t really to inform the public but to create a shocking headline that people would want to read.

I also saw how the movie shows how powerful press barons are. The editor in the movie seems to know that reopening the story could be bad, but he still feels like he has to do it. The owners of the newspaper want a story that will get more people to read it, and that pressure goes down to the reporters. It led me to reflect on how powerful newspaper publishers in the past often put business ahead of journalism. When earning profits is the primary concern, it can be easy to disregard concerns about making moral decisions.

Additionally, yellow journalism is heavily represented in the film. Even though it is obvious that those involved in the previous crime want to move on with their lives, the reporters pursue them and press for information. The newspaper is more interested in generating drama than in providing facts that aid the public in understanding a significant issue. Observing those scenes got me thinking about how easily journalists who are focused on attention and competition can cross ethical boundaries.

The movie also raises important questions about the obligations about journalists. I think  journalists have a responsibility to be equal and considerate to the people they cover. They ought to consider how their stories might actually affect someone's life. They also have an obligation to readers to be truthful and accurate. People should be able to fully understand actual social problems through journalism. In the past, investigative journalists like Ida Tarbell and Nellie Bly used their work to educate the public and reveal issues.

While watching the movie, I did notice that the editor seemed to struggle with these questions. At certain points he looked uncomfortable with what the newspaper was doing, which made think that he understood the ethical conflict. Overall, the movie made me realize that the tension between truth, profit, and responsibility has been part of journalism for a long time. Even though the film is from 1931, the issues it shows still feel very relevant today.

Journalism and Media History

The Roots of Investigative Journalism

Investigative journalism did not begin with modern documentaries or viral social media threads. Its roots stretch back to the nineteenth century, when reporters realized the press could do more than repeat events; it could challenge power and expose wrongdoing. Over time, several major moments helped shape investigative reporting into what it is today. From the rise of cheap newspapers in the 1830s to brave undercover reporting and the reform-minded writers of the early twentieth century, these milestones created the foundation for the watchdog journalism society relies on today.

The Penny Press and Public Accountability

The first major turning point came with the Penny Press in the 1830s. Newspapers such as the New York Sun were sold for only a penny, making news affordable to everyday people rather than just wealthy readers. Because these papers depended on large audiences to survive, journalists began covering issues that mattered to ordinary citizens. Stories about political corruption, crime, labor struggles, and unsafe conditions began appearing more often. The Penny Press did not fully invent investigative journalism, but it helped create a culture where reporters questioned authority and worked to serve the public interest.

Figure 4.7 R. F. Outcault’s The Yellow Kid, first published in William Randolf Hearst’s New York Journal in 1896.

Nellie Bly and Immersive Reporting

In 1887 a determined young reporter named :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1} changed journalism forever by going undercover in a New York mental asylum. Working for the New York World, Bly pretended to have a mental illness so she could be admitted to the institution on Blackwell's Island. Once inside, she documented the harsh conditions patients experienced every day. Her reporting described neglect, poor treatment, and abuse that had long been hidden from the public. Because her story came from firsthand experience, readers felt the reality of the situation more deeply. Bly proved that immersive, first person reporting could reveal truths that traditional reporting sometimes missed.

Photo by H.L. Meyers, Portrait of Nellie Bly. Prints and Photographs Division.

The Muckrakers and Reform

By the early 1900s investigative journalism grew even more powerful through the work of writers known as muckrakers. Journalists spent years gathering evidence and interviewing sources to expose corruption in major industries. Tarbell's investigation revealed how the company used unfair practices to dominate the oil market. Meanwhile Sinclair's novel exposed shocking conditions inside Chicago's meatpacking plants. Public outrage from these investigations helped push the government to pass stronger antitrust laws and improve food safety regulations.

Why Investigative Journalism Still Matters

These moments in history reveal the deeper purpose of investigative journalism. At its core, it exists to hold powerful institutions accountable and give the public the information they need to understand their world. The tools journalists use today may include data analysis, digital records, and international collaboration, but the mission remains the same. Just like the reporters of the Penny Press, the bravery of Nellie Bly, and the determination of the muckrakers, modern investigative journalists continue searching for truth. When done well, investigative reporting does more than tell a story. It encourages reform, sparks public conversation, and reminds society that transparency and accountability are essential to a healthy democracy.