A list of 10 best movies based on journalism!

1. Citizen Kane

Often dubbed as one of the greatest and most epic films of all time, Citizen Kane has set unrivaled standards as far as films based on journalism are concerned. Charles Foster Kane, a publishing tycoon, breathes his last in his deathbed whilst holding a snow globe. Before he ventures onto the next realm, the wealthy Kane whispers ‘Rosebud’ before succumbing to his illness. Jerry Thompson, a reporter, is tasked to uncover the mysterious code word and unravel a secret of sorts towards which Kane had hinted. The film was nominated for 9 Academy Awards and won for the Best Writing (Original Screenplay).

2. The Insider

Aptly titled, The Insider is an adaptation of the true life story of Dr. Jeffry Wigand, a whistle blower who exposed the Tobacco industry’s seven main companies in a  segment of CBS’s 60 Minutes. Al Pacino plays the producer of the CBS show who persuades Wigand (Crowe) to blow the whistle on the muti national tobacco companies for perjuring. The movie details the struggles Wigand had to go through both professionally and personally as well as the numerous threats he dealt with.The film was nominated for seven Academy Awards.

3. Control Room 

This documentary made by Jehane Noujaim focuses on the channel Al-Jazeera’s relations with U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and the perceptions of American Invasion of Iraq in 2003.

4. A Mighty Heart

Mariane Pearl’s quest to recover her husband, journalist Daniel Pearl is portrayed in A Mighty Heart. Angelina Jolie played Mariane, a determined woman who seeks to disrupt certain militants ploy of executing her kidnapped husband. Coordinating with Pakistani as well as American security officials, Mariane’s struggle to retreive her husband and Jolie’s stellar acting make for a great acting. Daniel Pearl was a journalist who was kidnapped and killed in Karachi in 2002.

5. Frost/Nixon

This historical political drama digs up the background of the David Frost and Richard Nixon interviews after the Watergate scandal. The Watergate scandal was a scandal in which the Democratic National Committee’s headquarters at the Watergate complex in Washington was broken in. A U.S Congress investigation exposed the Nixon government’s involvement in the matter which ultimately led to his resignation. Frank Langella plays former U.S President Richard Nixon whilst David Frost is portrayed by Michael Sheen.

6. Live From Baghdad

As the title of the film suggests, this movie focuses on the ethics of journalism amid the Persian Gulf War in 1991. The film focuses on the struggles of CNN reporters and on-location producer Robert Weiner (Michael Keaton) in Baghdad in the events that transpired before the United States came to Kuwait’s aid.

7. The Rum Diary

Johnny Depp’s quest to work on the Island of Puerto Rico and his struggles acclimatising with the expatriates whilst a grumpy editor and a good-for-nothing reporter are his colleagues. The film is adapted from the novel by the same name.

8. The President’s man

The 2000 movie starring action hero Chuck Norris tells the tale of a fearless, focused Secret Service agent who has been instrumental in protecting the President of the United States. However, he must resign and find a suitable replacement for his grueling post. He must train his replacement in order to mould him into a suitable replacement up for the arduous task of providing security to the President.

9. Shattered Glass

Shattered Glass is the real life story of a journalist whose meteoric rise to the top results into a steep fall from grace when his articles are discovered to be fables and a work of fabrication. Directed by Billy Ray, the film stars Hayden Christensen as Stephen Glass, Peter Sarsgaard as editor Charles Lane, Hank Azaria as editor Michael Kelly, and Steve Zahn as Forbes reporter Adam Penenberg.

10. The Interview

Dave Skylark (James Franco) and Aaron (Seth Rogen) host and produce the talk show show Skylark Tonight. Following an Eminem admission of being gay in the opening scene, the jubilant crew learns that North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un is a regular watcher of Skylark Tonight. Seizing the opportunity, Aaron arranges an interview with the dictator in North Korea. The plot encounters a twist when the CIA asks Dave and Aaron to assassinate Kim Jong-un in order to facilitate a coup in North Korea. The film was a resounding success in American but mired in controversy as it’s obscene jokes triggered an unfriendly response from the North Korean nation. A must watch, this film is bound to get you doubling with laughter!