Two Forms of Journalism in Citizen Kane

In Citizen Kane two forms of journalism are presented. One is Charles Foster Kane’s yellow journalism approach, and the newsreel reporter’s more traditional approach. The movie begins with a sensationalized view of Kane’s life, with general facts, hyperbole and no account for his personal life or motivations. Upon his death the newsreel reporter Jerry Thompson is intrigued by his last words, Rosebud. In a search for the truth a representing reporter gathers information from people who knew Kane personally, gathering information from reliable sources and patching together a fairly accurate account of Kane’s life. Through the story it is discovered that Kane approached journalism mainly from behind his desk, not seeking out reliable sources but rather, sensationalizing the news, using his publication to attempt to influence people. In many cases Kane was self absorbed, seeking what was best for himself and searching for something that made him happy. In the midst of this he proved to be a poor journalist, but was able to muster a strong public image that people gravitated towards because of his confidence. At the end, the very same type of journalism he had been producing was used against him, to spread false scandal about him. Concerning journalism, it’s very interesting that such methods are juxtaposed in such a manner: Kane’s method is revealed through the process of proper journalistic methods, but even in the end the most personal motivations could not be found out really highlighting in the end how no matter how much information you seek to find you cannot find it all, and that Kane was truly alone in his own world.