movies about journalismShattered Glass movie that tells about the journalistic activity is an example of that truth and fact it can be tweaked in the media. Because of weak verification and control of a news item or article written by a journalist.

New Republic Magazine who first published in 1914 is a medium which is the object in a film set in the United States. In 1998 the New Republic his success as a medium that is more popular than the New York Times or Washington Post.

This film tells the story of a young journalist named Stephen Glass. Stephen is still a student at Georgetown law school became one of the key figures of the triumph of the New Republic magazine competition among American media in the 1998 period. Through in-depth journalistic articles and has a fantastic narrative, Stephen made the newspaper and magazine readers fascinated America.

The success of the New Republic and Stephen Glass did not go smoothly, the editor Michael Kelly was fired by the boss the New Republic with the reasons many punctuation errors from an issue of the New Republic. Michael then was replaced by Charles Chuck Lane. As the new editor, Chuck faced many difficulties, from the beginning of adaptation to the crisis of confidence of his men, including the Stephen Glass himself. Chuck judged not fit to serve as editor and suspected of doing a plan to overthrow him as editor. 

Major disaster for the New Republic magazine article starts from the best and most popular journalism Stephen Glass titled “Hack Heaven” who preach about the meeting of international hackers. In the article, Stephen writes about hackers boy who towed by powerful businessmen to do manipulation. With style and deep coverage, Stephen Glass is becoming increasingly popular. But it did not last long. Internet media editor Forbes Digital Tool, Kambiz Foroobar less pleased with the success of the New Republic, called journalist Adam Penenberg to discuss the writing of Stephen Glass is entitled Hack Heaven.

Suspicions arise when Adam read a verse by verse the article “Hack Heaven” by Glass. Begins with the suspicion that, then Adam should verify the data and facts in the article Stephen. The first step is done with Adam checks the data over the Internet. From the results of checking via the internet, Adam found some facts that the contents of the article is just manipulation and engineering of Stephen himself. Adam then tells its findings to Kambiz. Search for the truth of the article Hack Heaven ketahap then proceed further.

Kambiz and Adam then contacted the New Republic editor, Chuck. Chuck who was hot on the issue of manipulation is then called Stephen Glass and interrogate him. In addition, over the phone, Adam, and Kambiz also conduct interviews with Glass and Chuck about the sensational articles.

In many ways, Stephen Glass is played by young actor Hayden Cristensen this defense and stated that the article was not the result of engineering. Assisted by his brother who was also good at manipulating, Stephen Glass could create Adam and Kambiz the ambition to publish news errors Stephen Glass and the New Republic is in the medium to be confused. However, it was not long kelaman Adam and Kambiz just confused by the puzzle that was made by Stephen, Chuck was responsible for the article, too, became dizzy. In fact, Chuck finally took the initiative to check out the truth of the contents of the article. Chuck invites Stephen verify the article was, by visiting places such as hackers meeting in an article written Hack Heaven.

Through verification, bit by bit rot Glass started out, until finally Glass admitted that he had been deceived by his own sources. The result then Chuck to Stephen Glass suspension for 2 years.

Apparently the problem was not finished. Chuck then find another set of facts and made up his belief that Stephen Glass has been doing engineering full facts in the article. Chuck finally fired Stephen Glass. Glass dismissal was initially greeted with protests by the other men who were close to Stephen Glass. However, thanks to Chuck and explain facts, which stated that Glass’s deception, they were finally appreciate Chuck’s decision. After investigation, it is evident that the 45 articles that made journalism Stephen Glass who published the New Republic, only 27 articles written by and no clear facts.

***

The essence or message then we can learn from the film Shattered Glass is that we do not immediately believe 100% of the content of a news item published in the media. We have to digest the jelly in the information. In other words, as readers we must be more active. In addition, from the journalism and media development in this world, this movie could be a lesson and make a question: whether the mass media which we read has a proven quality in fact the truth?

Deni Andriana

Related Articles