Broadcast journalism has been a key element in shaping our understanding of history. In moments of crisis, journalists are often the first to bridge the gap between chaos and clarity. The 1972 Olympics and its tragic events marked a turning point in breaking news coverage, showing the power — and responsibility — of live reporting in shaping public understanding.
Credit: Allied Global Marketing
Credit: Allied Global Marketing
The recently released film “September 5” centers on the hostage crisis in Munich that forced a TV executive to use an untested sports producer to cover live news.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s entertainment reporter, Rodney Ho, served as the moderator for an exclusive screening and Q&A on Jan. 15 at Regal Atlantic Station. Joining him was Mark Parkman, a seasoned expert with a rich history in the Olympics and currently the general manager of the Olympic Channel.
“The movie itself was well done, a solid thriller about a life-and-death situation at a time when technology was still analog,” Ho said. “It focused exclusively on what was going on with the producers handling the live coverage of the Olympics at ABC and the challenges they faced conveying a story that was changing by the second at a time when audiences were not yet used to seeing breaking news live.”
From clothing and hair to the equipment used by ABC, Ho said the film felt authentic and many of the dilemmas the crew faced are not all that different from the ones reporters face today. It’s a must-see for history buffs and journalists alike, Ho said. “The film is for anyone interested in history and the Olympics as well as how the media faces moral issues when airing something live,” Ho said. “Should live cameras be trained on folks who might be murdered? How do you frame news that you hear secondhand that may or may not be true? How do you get film canisters inside the Olympic Village without proper credentials during a crisis?” As you watch, consider journalism’s evolution and how it continues to shape the headlines and the stories that define us.
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