Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free Press (2017)

The trial between Hulk Hogan and Gawker Media pitted privacy rights against freedom of the press, and raised important questions about how big money can silence media. This film is an ... See full summary »

Director:

Brian Knappenberger

Writer:

Brian Knappenberger

Stars:

A.J. Daulerio, Hulk Hogan, Charles Harder

4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
A.J. Daulerio	...	Self - Former Editor-in-Chief, Gawker.com
Hulk Hogan	...	Self - Professional Wrestler
Charles Harder	...	Self - Attorney to Hulk Hogan
David Folkenflik	...	Self - Media Correspondent, NPR
David Bixenspan	...	Self - Freelance Journalist
Nick Denton	...	Self - Founder, Gawker Media
Elizabeth Spiers	...	Self - Co-Founder, Gawker.com
David Carr	...	Self - Former New York Times Columnist
Emily Gould	...	Self - Former Editor-in-Chief, Gawker.com (archive footage)
John Cook	...	Self - Former Executive Editor, Gawker Media Group
Floyd Abrams	...	Self - First Amendment Attorney
Pamela Campbell	...	Self - Judge (archive footage)
Peter Sterne	...	Self - Reporter, Politico Media
Bubba the Love Sponge	...	Self - Radio Host (archive footage)
David Houston	...	Self - Litigation Counsel for Hulk Hogan

Storyline

The trial between Hulk Hogan and Gawker Media pitted privacy rights against freedom of the press, and raised important questions about how big money can silence media. This film is an examination of the perils and duties of the free press in an age of inequality.

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Plot Keywords:

1st amendment | gawker | sex tape | censorship | internet | 

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Genres:

Documentary

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Certificate:

TV-14

Did You Know?

Connections

References Hulk Hogan Sex Tape (2012)

User Reviews

If journalists don't pat their own back, who will?

This was a well-produced and thoughtful piece that certainly caught my eye as I scrolled through Netflix. As a guy who follows journalism fairly close (as a hobby, not an occupation), I was certainly intrigued.

There were three problems I saw with the movie.

First, it was very one-sided. Sheldon Adelson, a Republican, is obviously a horrible, maniacal billionaire whose only reason to purchase a newspaper is to hide any negative press about himself. Nevermind all the Democrat billionaires who buy newspapers-Buffett, Bezos, John Henry. I'm sure their intentions are 100% pure and noble and they never try to use their newspaper to cover up stories? Mmhmm. Sure.

Second, it was just an attack on one person. I'm not a Trump supporter. I did not vote for him and will never vote for him. But the disingenuousness behind the documentary was insulting. We can talk about the effect the Hogan/Bollea case has on journalism without having to go the anti-Trump route. (Also note, they say nothing about Obama trying journalists under the Espionage Act).

But the bigger point to all this is that journalists actually think they are above any criticism. ANY story they come up with is newsworthy, important, and completely above reproach. And to criticize them is to slap the face of the most important arm of civil society. To question them is to question the fabric of society-which is obviously the journalists.

We can't question them, call them to the carpet for shady, unethical, or inappropriate uses of their positions, stories, or actions. And since the general public's faith in journalism is waning (many will contend it's all but gone), they have to pat themselves on the back.

Nobody is going to bat for the journalists anymore. And perhaps that's the bigger element for them: they see their impact on society decreasing, so they need pieces like this.

I found this to be an intriguing, yet troubling film.

Details

Country:

Netherlands USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 June 2017 (USA)

Also Known As:

Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free Press

Company Credits

Production Co:

Luminant Media, Submarine

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1