"The role of independent documentary filmmakers has almost totally replaced what was historically the function of investigative journalism," said Porterin fact there is no difference between the methodology and social/political function of filmmakers like Berlinger and that of - say - Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward during the Watergate scandal."
New York Times writer for the ArtsBeat Blog diligently followed this story conducting interviews with filmmakers Michael Moore and Ric Burns (the director of "Andy Warhol" and PBS' "New York") on Thursday.
Burns reacted, Chevron is "really saying 'O.K., pal, drop your drawers, and with it, 600 hours of film.'" And added, "That's insane. That's a weapon so blunt that it's impossible not to feel that Judge Kaplan doesn't care about the impression that is conveyed."
Burns added this "contributes to a general culture of contempt for investigative journalism" and next time someone goes to make a "Crude" the group that provides information on the subject will be a "much leerier group of informants."
Michael Moore had "never heard of such a ruling." Moore told the ArtsBeat Blog he never had to deal with any corporation suing him to find out how he gathered his information.
"Obviously the ramifications of this go far beyond documentary films, if corporations are allowed to pry into a reporter's notebook or into a television station's newsroom," said Moore.
Moore hoped the decision would be overturned on appeal and, if not, Berlinger should "resist the subpoena." He also said that "hundreds of filmmakers" would support Berlinger's fight to not turn over his footage to Chevron.
Documentary as Journalism?
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