The Paper chronicles how reporters at a major metro New York tabloid paper investigate a crime. It underscores the relentless drive of Henry Hackett, the reporter assigned to the case, and his battle against those obstructing his access the evidence but also against some of his colleagues and superiors at work.
Who are the suspects in the crime and what, if any, effort does the paper’s staff make to consider an alternative story to the “obvious” guilt of the two young men arrested? What are the implications for the young men if they are convicted and why are the journalists ready to accept the police’s story at face value? To what lengths do the reporters, particularly Henry, accept responsibility to challenge those who prematurely assign guilt to the two young suspects? To what extent does race factor into the way the police and the news media frame the story?
Think about these issues and all the effort that Henry and his colleague put into trying to get the facts straight. Ultimately, what were they able to achieve? Explain your views and support them with examples from the film.
