At one point in the documentary Bad Press, an assignment editor considers conflict of interest issues and asks the question, “how does a reporter ethically cover a free press issue?” Expanding on the idea, I in turn wondered how does a documentary film maker avoid conflict of interest covering a freedom of speech issue? And more personally, how does a film reviewer like me with a degree in journalism and a career that included news reporting assess the value of a project on a topic I care about immensely? Oh wait, as a reviewer, I provide opinion not objectivity, but with transparency say the project Bad Press deserves good press for shedding light on a situation that surprises many. The surprise? While the United States constitution promotes freedom of speech, the document does not apply to Tribal Nations, who have the right to form their own laws. Of some 574 nations within the United States, only five protect a free press. Filmmakers Rebecca Landsberry-Baker and Joe Peeler bring their camera into a series of council meetings and interviews that show the plight of reporters at Oklahoma’s Muscogee Media during several years of fighting for the ability to pursue hard-hitting stories that reveal corruption and other controversial issues. Letting the story unfold without a script or narration, the directors rely heavily on editing by Jean Rheem and director Peeler to piece together events, interviews, and archival materials. Action sometimes involves listening to council members declare their votes, not necessarily a thrilling process, but a reality faced by reporters ingrained in covering long, talky meetings. The documentary team provides ample information about the events and issues, which include wondering if citizens even care about preventing government leaders from controlling everything written or broadcast in the media. Neither fun nor entertaining, Bad Press points out serious concerns that spread beyond the Tribal Nations into the United States as a whole.
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