Journalism as Depicted in Citizen Kane and His Girl Friday

In the films Citizen Kane and His Girl Friday, Journalism is portrayed as corrupt and lacking integrity. Each film does this in it's own way.

Citizen Kane

Citizen Kane is the story of Charles Foster Kane, a man with humble beginnings who later in life becomes very wealthy and influential. Through a series of events Kane becomes the owner of a newspaper in New York called The Inquirer. When he initially took control of the paper, he sought to highlight injustice and look out for the people. He drafted a document which he entitled "Declaration of Principles," which outlined the rules and principles which The Inquirer would abide by. His friend and co-worker Jed Leland expresses doubt as to whether Kane will be able to stick to the principles he has laid out, and tells Kane that he will keep the document as memoir. As time goes by Kane's newspaper grows in popularity and influence, as does Kane. It seems that with Kane's increased power comes a change in how he operates. His approach had shifted from looking out for the people to looking out for his own interests. He used his paper to influence and persuade others to see things his way. This is illustrated by his use of the paper during his campaign for governor, the persuasion of his wife's singing instructor, the way he portrayed his wife's opera performance, etc. By this time Leland had left New York and has left to write for the Chicago branch of the paper. He sends Kane the "Declaration of Principles," that he had drafted years earlier. Kane then tears up this document, which in the past he had treasured. This more than anything illustrates how Kane's attitude has changed as his power has grown.

His Girl Friday

His Girl Friday is a light, fast passed comedy about a newspaper run by Walter Burns, who is payed a visit from his x-wife Hildy Johnson. She has come to tell him that she is getting married the next day to a man named Bruce Baldwin. Throughout the film Walter uses his charming and persuasive personality to win Hildy back and send Bruce packing. Throughout this escapade, the latest news the paper is working on pertains to the up coming execution of a man named Earl Williams. Walter uses the events surrounding Williams to persuade her to come back to him and to return as a writer for his newspaper.

The portrayal of journalism as corrupt is strewn throughout this entire film. Walter uses his power as owner of the paper to influence elections, to negotiate his release from the police, to portray his paper as superior through exaggeration and falsification, etc. Reporters are portrayed as ruthless, heartless, con artists who will do absolutely anything necessary to get the story they desire. Ethics, honesty, and integrity are not at all seen in any of the characters in this film; That is, except for Bruce Baldwin, who exemplifies all of these qualities and is exploited because of them. The one thing that most stood out to me as i watched this film was the portrayal of women. Hildy Johnson is a powerful, influential, and independent woman. Seeing these qualities portrayed in a female character surprised me, considering that this film was maid in the 40's.

These films have many redeeming qualities, and promoted many messages that were important during the time they were produced, but exemplifying what is meant by "good journalism" is not something either of these films accomplishes.

It is important to consider information regarding journalism in the 1940's. Specifically, current issues and individuals that impacted and influenced journalism during this time period. Given the seriousness of the events that were unfolding back then, you can see why movies that were meant to address serious current issues and movies that were meant to make you laugh and smile might have been produced.

-Tom H.