News

Journalism, Martin Baron in Academy Awards ‘Spotlight’

This weekend’s 88th Academy Awards are going to be a very personal occasion for Washington Post Executive Editor Martin Baron. He features in the film “Spotlight,” which is nominated in six categories including Best Picture.

by WAN-IFRA Staff executivenews@wan-ifra.org | February 24, 2016

“I’m in Spotlight, but it’s not really about me. It’s about the power of journalism, Baron wrote in The Washington Post.

“Journalists worldwide have now seen the movie, and they’ve reacted the same: This movie is stunningly accurate in how it portrays the practice of journalism, investigative reporting in particular,” he wrote.

Baron reflects on the film’s impact on journalism; how the project came to be; his first meeting with Liev Schreiber; his early months at The Boston Globe; and the emotional moment of realising the impact of his long-ago work would be magnified in the form of a movie.

Martin BaronMartin Baron“The rewards will come if this movie has impact: On journalism, because owners, publishers and editors rededicate themselves to investigative reporting. On a skeptical public, because citizens come to recognize the necessity of vigorous local coverage and strong journalistic institutions. And on all of us, through a greater willingness to listen to the powerless and too-often voiceless, including those who have suffered sexual and other abuse…

“I was surprised that [my colleagues at The Boston Globe and I] were approached at all, and at first we were wary when two young producers, Nicole Rocklin and Blye Faust, came to the Globe’s newsroom seven years ago to broach the idea. When they optioned our “life rights” — giving filmmakers the right to our story and securing our cooperation — I had little expectation it would be produced, notwithstanding their earnest commitment…

“For all their work, the project seemed a long shot,” Baron wrote.

Marty Baron

@PostBaron

Yielding to pressure from @LizSeymour, I finally wrote about my experience with @SpotlightMovie http://wpo.st/x18F1 

I’m in ‘Spotlight’, but it’s not really about me. It’s about the power of journalism.

Post Editor Martin Baron reflects on the real investigation portrayed in the film — and Liev Schreiber’s portrayal of him.

washingtonpost.com

481 people are talking about this
Share via
Copy link