When discussing the great journalism films, it's important to mention the ones that explored the dark side of unscrupulous journalism and the ones that explored the inspiring side of good, truthful journalism.
The greatest journalism film of all time, Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman essayed Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, the real-life journalists who strove to expose former U.S. President Richard Nixon and the Watergate scandal.
Another excellent depiction of a real-life journalism story, Michael Mann's 1999 film about daring journalists and whistleblowers, starring Al Pacino and Russell Crowe, took on Big Tobacco. Wonderful performances across the board.
Directed by and starring George Clooney, this exceptional film conveyed the dark era of McCarthyism and the combined might of broadcast journalists Edward Murrow and Fred Friendly, who stood up to Sen. Joseph McCarthy.
Burt Lancaster's corrupt, extremely toxic columnist spitting venom on one side, and Tony Curtis' opportunistic, manipulative publicist on the other. Together, they ruin several lives and, eventually, cause their own downfall.
Talking about corrupt journalists, Kirk Douglas' character in master filmmaker Billy Wilder's story of a small-town newspaper and the devastating events following a dubious reporter's arrival is essential viewing.
Sidney Lumet's arresting portrait of a television network and the various characters, all with unique complexities, was powered by screenwriter Paddy Chayefsky's research-backed writing based on real situations.
A gripping account of the influential, Pulitzer prize-winning investigative work of journalists at The Boston Globe who dared to expose the haunting atrocities perpetrated by a multitude of priests at Boston's Roman Catholic Archdiocese.
Journalist David Frost's famous interview with a post-Watergate Nixon is recreated effectively by Ron Howard. Actors Michael Sheen and Frank Langella superbly complement each other as Frost and Nixon, respectively.