Amy Goodman’s documentary Steal This Story, Please! examines four decades of reporting that have taken the journalist from climate summits to earthquake zones and scenes of mass violence. The film, made with the cooperation of Goodman and directed by two Oscar-nominated filmmakers, compiles field reporting, archival footage and interviews to present a portrait of a practitioner of independent journalism.
Goodman is shown reflecting on the principles that have guided her work. Central to the film’s message is her declaration, “I consider an exclusive a failure,” a line she uses to argue that important reporting should be widely available rather than hoarded. The documentary captures on-the-ground assignments and editorial decisions that illustrate this philosophy, including coverage of international conferences, natural disasters and violent incidents that drew global attention.
The film also addresses institutional challenges faced by independent outlets. Scenes and testimony in the documentary touch on issues of dissent and censorship, and Goodman describes occasions she calls “magic moments”—instances when reporting opened previously closed discussions or reached new audiences. The project traces how her long-running programme, Democracy Now!, has sought to amplify underreported stories and to distribute them broadly across platforms.
Made by filmmakers with prior Academy Award nominations, the documentary seeks to place Goodman’s career in the context of contemporary media debates about access, exclusivity and the public’s right to know. The filmmakers were given extended access to Goodman’s reporting and personal reflections, allowing the film to chart both major events she covered and the editorial choices behind them. The result is a focused look at a journalistic approach that privileges shared information and grassroots distribution over proprietary exclusives.
