The victory of documentary drama Spotlight in the Best Picture category in the Oscars is a timely reminder of the value of investigative journalism.
“We would not be here today without the heroic efforts of our reporters,” [Spotlight] producer Blye Pagon Faust said in her acceptance speech. “Not only do they effect global change, but they absolutely show us the necessity for investigative journalism.”
“Spotlight” is the true story of the investigative journalists of The Boston Globe who exposed the scale and the cover up surrounding paedophile priests in the Catholic Church. The series rocked the Catholic Church, shook the faith of thousands of Catholics, not just in Boston, but across the country and around the world.
As you think of Spotlight and the focus it gives to investigative reporting at a time of financial crisis in the media industry, we hope you’ll also consider supporting the journalism of the Center for Public Integrity. DONATE.
Our award-winning team works every day to expose abuses of power, corruption and betrayal of public trust by powerful public and private institutions: from the influence of money on politics to children being treated like criminals in the school system to workers exposed to dangerous chemicals.
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Congratulations to the Spotlight movie team and to The Boston Globe journalists on whom they based the story: it’s the investigative reporting that made the movie.
Thank you,
Peter Bale, CEO, The Center for Public Integrity