Civil Rights
The civil rights movement in the United States caused important but difficult journalism. Taking place from the mid-1950s until the late 1960s, protesters aimed to… moreInvestigating Power is the story of journalists who exposed government lies in the rush to war, documented institutionalized racism and uncovered the truth about deadly products from tobacco to pesticides. Charles Lewis
Moses Newson
A respected reporter from the civil rights era, Moses Newson risked his life covering some of the most notable events of the time. These events… moreJerry Mitchell
In more than three decades as a reporter at the Clarion-Ledger in Jackson, Mississippi, Jerry Mitchell’s stories helped put four Ku Klux Klan members and… moreInvestigating Power is an ongoing project created by Charles Lewis. In addition to the 27 journalists profiled and video interviewed, more are being added over the coming years.
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War lasted from 1955 to 1975 and occurred in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. The United States supported South Vietnam against North Vietnam and… moreBen Bagdikian
As national editor of The Washington Post, Ben Bagdikian obtained the secret Pentagon Papers from Daniel Ellsberg after a federal judge ordered The New York… moreSeymour Hersh
As an investigative reporter for The Associated Press, The New York Times and now The New Yorker, Seymour Hersh has primarily covered national security and… moreEach "Moment of Truth" corresponds to a time in American history when journalists were breaking important stories to reveal public and corporate corruption or deception.
Dana Priest
Washington Post reporter Dana Priest has spent the majority of her career focusing on national security, military operations and the U.S. intelligence industry. A two-time… moreChristiane Amanpour
As the chief international correspondent for CNN, Christiane Amanpour has covered war and genocide in the Balkans, Africa and Iraq. Amanpour has spent more than… moreThe six sections of the website are McCarthyism, Civil Rights, Vietnam War, Watergate, Corporate Power and Post 9/11. Each section showcases videos of journalists who made significant contributions to the public understanding of national issues.
Bob Woodward
Bob Woodward is regarded by many as the best investigative reporter of his time. Yet after writing or co-writing twelve No. 1 national nonfiction best-selling… moreAn Unlikely Source on Watergate
Helen Thomas remembers asking the out-spoken Martha Mitchell, wife of Attorney General John Mitchell, about the issues of the day when Mitchell gave Thomas an… moreAlso featured are Educator Resource guides: one set for advanced middle school and high school students, and another for undergraduate students.
Corporate Power
While journalists serve as watchdogs against government corruption, many are more reluctant to report on corporate misdeeds. Since many major news organizations are funded by… moreTaking on Big Tobacco
New York Times reporter Walt Bogdanich talks about Philip Morris' $10 billion lawsuit against him and the American Broadcasting Companies for his reporting on how… moreTaking on Corporate Power
Donald Barlett and James Steele say that most journalists are too reluctant to report on corporate power. moreWant to help keep Investigating Power running? Make a donation.