Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free Press
Director: Brian Knappenberger
Year Released: 2017
Rating: 3.0
Timely documentary that reviews two events that challenged free speech and the ability of the press to do its job (in the United States): the Hulk Hogan (born Terry Bollea) versus Gawker (run by Nick Denton) court case (which was funded by the ideologically suspicious but wealthy Peter Thiel) over publishing a sex tape and the buyout of the Las Vegas Review-Journal by one of the richest men in the world, Sheldon Adelson (who runs the Las Vegas Sands Corporation). While this might be a little paranoid in nature (I hope) and maybe a little biased (a lot of people disliked Gawker's ... 'tactics'), I do think it is a matter that deserves attention (especially considering the lunatic who's currently in charge of the United States, Mr. Trump): this notion that journalists can be silenced by big money and that anyone who speaks in opposition to powerful figures can be easily discredited or mocked is incredibly disturbing (if everything is "fake news," what is actually "real news?" Jean Baudrillard, you missed the party). Should Gawker have put up the Hogan recording? Probably not. Should the Review-Journal staff have gone after the slimy Adelson? Definitely.
