I watched September 5, the Oscar-nominated movie about how ABC covered the Munich terrorist attack. It tells a familiar story from decades ago, but still forces you to think about how things have or haven’t changed.
One thing that remains unchanged are the phrases the reporters use to dance around the truth. In the script the producer says, “We never said it was a fact. We used, ‘As we are hearing.’” Today it’s “Now, these are unconfirmed reports, but ...”
The newsmen debate if they can broadcast a murder on live television, and decide they can’t. I think that rule is still in place. I distinctly remember times CNN has done a freeze-frame before shots ring out. On the other hand, every September 11th we all watch a replay of the moments when thousands of people die.
Other details were fascinating as well. I wonder if there were similar squabbles between ABC News and ABC Sports when the World Series earthquake happened. I wonder if the directors feel like they’re choreographing tragedy when they say, “Zoom in on camera three.” And i already found which the character who was a compilation of multiple real people: the one who also serves to remind us the casual sexism of the seventies.
It was very fast-paced, interesting, thought-provoking. I recommend.
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