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5 Movies that Every Student Planning to Pursue B.A. (Hons.) Journalism Must Watch

“Journalism allows its readers to witness history; fiction gives its readers an opportunity to live it”—  John Hersey

Journalism is a unique vocation. It is a vocation that serves society by holding a mirror to it. At a time when the media has become an integral part of our lives, journalists play a very important role in bringing truth to people. Therefore, it’s no surprise that there are so many movies that try to capture what happens in the newsrooms and to what extent journalists struggle to dig for the truth.

If you are planning to pursue B.A. (Hons.) Journalism, here are five inspiring movies that you must watch:

1. A Private War: Behind every world conflict, there are journalists who report the truth from places where people would fear going. A Private War is a biopic of celebrated investigative journalist Marie Colvin who highlighted the plight of the victims from war-torn Syria. The film not only shows what it takes for a war journalist to cover a story but also highlights the heartbreaking effects that war leaves behind.
2. The Spotlight: No list of journalism movies is complete without The Spotlight. Winner of Best Picture at the 2016 Oscars, the film follows journalists who uncover the widespread and systemic child sex abuse in the Boston area. When it comes to real-world reporting, the critically acclaimed movie stuck to its guns and received widespread critical praise for its historical accuracy.
3. The Post: Set in 1971, the film depicts the true story of attempts by journalists at The Washington Post to publish the Pentagon Papers. Initially, it was the New York Times that was supposed to publish the exposure. However, a federal district court injunction prevented it from doing so. The film shows how the two newspapers — The Washington Post and New York Times — jointly worked together to bring the truth to the people.
4. The Insider: Based on real events, the film follows a TV journalist who tries to convince an ex-tobacco industry scientist to reveal that his former employer suppressed research about the addictive powers of nicotine. The film is a masterful account of a TV journalist’s struggle to dig a big story and a TV producer’s brave efforts to get that story aired. This film explores the dynamics of the TV newsroom. Though the film is over two decades old, it is still relevant today.
5. The Paper: The Paper is a unique film that looks at the life of a journalist not just from the point of view of the profession but also from personal relationships. The story revolves around a workaholic newspaper editor whose wife is expecting a baby and yet he is chasing a story about the murder of two businessmen. The film beautifully captures a journalist’s rush to scoop the story in the midst of professional, private and financial chaos.

Looking for reputed journalism and mass communication colleges in India? 

Pursuing BA journalism is a stepping stone towards starting a fulfilling career in journalism. We, at Unitedworld School Of Liberal Arts & Mass Communication (USLM), offer B.A. (Hons.) Journalism that introduces students to principles of journalism, digital media, advertising, public relations and cultural studies. The course is designed to equip students with the working skills required to make a career in the field of journalism. For admission inquiries, call us at +91 7227033631 / +91 9099993506.