How Did Watergate Change The Press Coverage Of Politicians

How the Watergate Scandal inverse Journalism.

In August 1974 Richard Nixon made a decision which no President in Office had never done before and which no President has done since. He resigned. After two long years, the Watergate Scandal forced Nixon to essentially step down from his duties before he was forcefully removed in what was a definitive period in American politics. It began with a intermission in at the Autonomous Political party Headquarters for the election entrada which was in progress and ended with Republican officials being arrested and a President beingness disposed.

As well as the scandal being pregnant in a political sense, Watergate became the topic of one of the finest ever pieces of investigative journalism. Bob Woodward & Carl Bernstein of the Washington Postal service were able to reveal to the American public that their authorities was corrupt dorsum handed tactics to defeat opponents. With the testimony anonymous whistle-blower 'Deep Throat', later on to be named as former acquaintance director of the FBI Marking Felt, Woodward & Bernstein cracked one of the biggest abuses of ability ever carried out by an American President. They, along with Washington officials, noted that Nixon had bundled hundreds of thousands of dollars in 'hush money' to the burglars to prevent their stories getting out. Through dedicated investigation from the pair of journalists, Nixon'due south plan to spy on his opponents was, with some of the most progressive journalists working on the story, destined to fall apart at the seams.

In the early 1970'southward, America was a political melting pot. Their forces were still fighting in the Vietnam War which continued to divide the nation, threatening the Nixon administration's chances of being re-elected in 1973. It had become increasingly unlikely that the USA could win the war in Due south Eastern asia, putting the Republicans nether pressure level. In the Baronial following the break in at the Watergate Hotel, Nixon gave a spoken communication denying any of his staff were involved. The American people believed him, and the Republicans won the election comfortably.

Likewise as the stringent lines of investigation from the American media, Nixon himself played a part in his own downfall. He ordered the Central Intelligence Agency to disrupt the FBI investigation, essentially trying to concur off from the truth existence exposed. It was at this betoken that this event moved from a burglary at a hotel to a instance of a President abusing his power. This being but one of the many reasons why he was christened 'Tricky Dicky' during his time in politics.

The coverage of the Watergate scandal from journalists such every bit Woodward & Bernstein helped to modify the manner Americans and, later, the earth viewed politicians. Before the 2d earth war and up until the war in Vietnam, well-nigh Americans would alive for every give-and-take which their President would have on social issues whilst questioning very little. Later Watergate this changed. The people were shown that they could and should question their leaders on problems, information technology is their right to know what their elected representatives do whilst in role.

Watergate showed that the media tin can be a weapon to aid the public in keeping score of their leaders. The extensive coverage and investigative journalism were able to uncover the actions which President Nixon was so adamant to keep classified he was willing to prevent a government bureau from doing its job. Corruption and confidentiality have e'er been a part of politics but the advancement in journalistic integrity like that which was seen throughout the Watergate scandal has helped to break the news of corruption to the public e'er since. Woodward & Bernstein set the bench mark on how to bring down a corrupt government, and they certainly weren't the last to practise so.