Seymour Hersh, the investigative journalist behind some of the most explosive scoops in recent history, has never been the subject of a Hollywood biopic, unlike Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein. However, this new documentary portrait suggests that Hersh is crucial to understanding the intricacies of truth-telling, particularly in the digital age.
The film sheds light on Hersh's unrelenting pursuit of stories that powerful individuals would rather keep hidden. His work has led to high-profile revelations, including the My Lai massacre and torture at Abu Ghraib prison. When asked about the significance of photographs in exposing atrocities, Hersh emphasizes their crucial role: "No pictures, no story." However, with the rise of AI-generated content, photos are becoming increasingly less effective as a smoking gun for truth.
The documentary's title speaks to its theme – that secrecy is an integral part of Hersh's professional life. As he delves deeper into his investigations, he must protect his sources and cover them up to some extent. This paradox raises questions about the balance between confidentiality and transparency in journalism.
Hersh's approach is characterized by his relentless pursuit of leads, thorough interviews, and a willingness to challenge authority. Like an old-school reporter with "shoe leather" instincts, Hersh goes undercover to uncover the truth. His methods often involve direct confrontation, as demonstrated by his combative demeanor when dealing with editors or government officials.
The film offers a glimpse into Hersh's personal life, revealing his frustration at missing out on key scoops and being duped by fake information. He expresses derision towards centrist journalists who prioritize conformity over critical reporting, while also acknowledging the limitations of working for corporate media outlets like The New York Times.
Ultimately, Hersh is portrayed as a true maverick – a freelance journalist content to write for independent platforms like Substack, unafraid to challenge the status quo. His commitment to fact-driven journalism and his willingness to take risks make him an essential figure in understanding the complexities of truth-telling in today's information landscape.
The film sheds light on Hersh's unrelenting pursuit of stories that powerful individuals would rather keep hidden. His work has led to high-profile revelations, including the My Lai massacre and torture at Abu Ghraib prison. When asked about the significance of photographs in exposing atrocities, Hersh emphasizes their crucial role: "No pictures, no story." However, with the rise of AI-generated content, photos are becoming increasingly less effective as a smoking gun for truth.
The documentary's title speaks to its theme – that secrecy is an integral part of Hersh's professional life. As he delves deeper into his investigations, he must protect his sources and cover them up to some extent. This paradox raises questions about the balance between confidentiality and transparency in journalism.
Hersh's approach is characterized by his relentless pursuit of leads, thorough interviews, and a willingness to challenge authority. Like an old-school reporter with "shoe leather" instincts, Hersh goes undercover to uncover the truth. His methods often involve direct confrontation, as demonstrated by his combative demeanor when dealing with editors or government officials.
The film offers a glimpse into Hersh's personal life, revealing his frustration at missing out on key scoops and being duped by fake information. He expresses derision towards centrist journalists who prioritize conformity over critical reporting, while also acknowledging the limitations of working for corporate media outlets like The New York Times.
Ultimately, Hersh is portrayed as a true maverick – a freelance journalist content to write for independent platforms like Substack, unafraid to challenge the status quo. His commitment to fact-driven journalism and his willingness to take risks make him an essential figure in understanding the complexities of truth-telling in today's information landscape.
i mean think about it, we rely on journalists like hernsh to tell us what's really going on but with AI generating fake news its getting harder for them to do their job properly 
they need to be able to trust their sources and report the truth even if it's hard 
But seriously, with AI-generated content getting so real, it's like, how do journalists even know what's true anymore? 
I guess that's where Hersh's old-school instincts come in – going undercover and all that jazz. He just won't back down from a fight, even if it means ruffling some feathers 
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. But at the same time, I can see why his methods might be a bit outdated with AI-generated content on the rise... like, what's the point of photos if they're gonna get fake-ified too? 
And I'm curious about this balance between confidentiality and transparency in journalism - is it even possible to have both? 
Or is it just a solution for people like Hersh who aren't afraid to take risks?
. The problem is, with AI-generated content becoming a thing, it's getting harder to know what's real and what's not 
I think the doc highlights this pretty well - Hersh's whole thing is about protecting his sources and being careful who he trusts 
. At the same time, you gotta wonder if too much secrecy in journalism is a bad thing 
. It's like, isn't transparency part of the job? 
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. I mean, can you really have it both ways? And what's up with all these centrist journalists who are just coasting on their careers without taking any real risks or challenging the status quo? It feels like a major cop-out to me 
The guy's been doing investigative journalism for decades, I get it. But do we really need a film that's basically just a sycophantic love letter to his work? 
And don't even get me started on the title - "The Secrets We Keep" or something like that? It's like they're trying too hard to convey some deep message about truth and secrecy 
In today's digital age, it feels like we're losing that essential piece of evidence. But what's even more impressive is how he's willing to take on the powers that be, even when it puts him in a tough spot 
I've gotta respect Seymour Hersh's dedication to telling the hard truths, even when it means going against the grain. It's crazy that he's never been the subject of a Hollywood biopic – his work speaks for itself 
. We need journalists like Hersh who aren't afraid to get their hands dirty and question authority 
. I'm all for holding those in power accountable, but source protection is key too 
. Anyway, this doco does a great job of showcasing Hersh's passion for truth-telling and his commitment to fact-driven journalism 
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. Anyway, I guess the docu's got its moments... but can we talk about how outdated that "shoe leather" reporting style sounds now? 
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. His approach is like nothing you'll find in corporate media outlets – he just doesn't care what people think, as long as it's true