What is the purpose of investigative reporting? The very name means that its job is to discover all the relevant facts and then report them. This can be a useful tool to inform the public about the truth of a matter. However, it can also be a powerful way to sway public opinion. When this power is used to spread false or exaggerated ideas or leave out crucial information, investigative reporting becomes the enemy of freedom, when it should be its guardian.
The Story
Blake Washburn (Lynn) is a war hero turned senator who bitterly returns to his hometown after he isn’t reelected. He’s convinced that his constituents were swayed by propaganda to vote against him, but he is disturbed to learn that many of his old friends voted for his opponent. While his uncle (Griff Barnett) goes on a long-awaited vacation, Blake takes over as editor of the local newspaper. His best friend, Slim (Alan Hale Jr.), is a reporter for the paper.However, those near to Blake soon realize that he has changed since he left his hometown. He now has an agenda for the paper, so he’s trying to find a controversial cause to advocate. When pollution of a local river from a factory doesn’t pan out, he gets an idea from a news bulletin about a big company’s increased profits. He begins publishing columns which pointedly question, criticize, and attack big businesses for getting rich at the expense of the common man. Although he starts on a general level, he quickly narrows his focus to the local businesses, namely, the company owned by his political rival’s father.
Blake’s fiancée, schoolteacher Janice Hunt (Marjorie Reynolds), realizes that he is using the paper to gain public support for his future political career. She tells him that she wants to support his dreams, as long as he isn’t misusing the power of the press.
The Scene
One day, John MacFarland (Crisp) walks into the newspaper office. He’s the president of the biggest manufacturing firm in the area, so he knows that Washburn’s columns have been aimed at him. He isn’t angry or confrontational, despite Blake’s unfriendly attitude. He begins by admitting that he’s been following his column closely and concedes that the big companies are news. “Of course they are,” Blake agrees, “especially their profits.” “That’s right,” MacFarland continues, “and I’m interested in profits, both for myself and the customer. My main reason for coming here was to see if I could perhaps interest you in printing something about a pet theory I have. I call it profits to the customer. ... I have to make a profit to stay in business. ... I make a profit on every electric motor I sell, but the customer must make a larger profit, because if he doesn’t, he won’t buy more motors, and I’m out of business.”
Its Significance
Mr. MacFarland’s observations about the intangible profits which products yield to customers make a lot of sense to Slim, who has been quietly observing the conversation. He remarks, “That’s a different slant from what we’ve been printing.” Annoyed, Blake argues, “As you say, that’s just a theory. But you can’t deny that you are big business.” Resolutely, MacFarland responds, “In your editorials, you’ve been insisting that because a thing is big, it’s bad. It takes bigness to do big things. Our industries turned out equipment for our armed forces in a remarkably short space of time. It was a big job, and it was well done. It helped us to win the war and preserve our country. That’s what American industry with its bigness was able to accomplish.”Unconvinced, Blake demands, “Why are you telling me all this?” “Well, I thought perhaps you might be interested in both sides of this profit question. Print something else for a change.” Blake harshly responds, “Mr. MacFarland, I don’t tell you how to run your plant, so please don’t tell me how to run my paper. I’ll print my own conception of business profits.”
