20 Bravest journalists we’ve seen across movies and shows

Movies and shows that surround journalism and journalists have the power to be a hard-hitting cultural phenomenon. Through the power of the camera, these movies and shows can shed a more detailed look at what goes behind the scenes in a journalist’s life. Journalism is a profession that requires courage and some iconic movies and shows have given viewers a bunch of memorable journalists to take inspiration from. Here are 20 such brave fictional journalists. Please note, this article is entirely based on the writer's opinion. Reader's discretion is advised.

1. Lois Lane, Superman

The comic character might seem like a damsel in distress but she is one of the few female comic characters that has a stand of her own, a wit, and a determination to bring the truth to the world. Represented by various actresses like Margot Kidder, Amy Adams, and others, the evergreen Lane is feisty, and fearless, and has even won a Pulitzer prize.

2. Bob Woodward, All the President’s Men

Essayed by Robert Redford, the character is one of the most enigmatic journalists on screen. Noted for his discipline and work ethic, Woodward went about valiantly to bring the Watergate scandal to the world. Even though he has a foul mouth, he knows his journalistic principles and does not shy away from the hard truth.

3. Hildy Johnson, His Girl Friday

Played by Rosalind Russell, the screwball comedy is an acclaimed movie with a cult following. In no less measure does its fame go to the fast-talking Johnson, who played a star reporter with wit and pizzazz. She was a dedicated journalist who could not turn down a good story and made sure to go to the bottom of it.

4. Veronica Corningstone, Anchorman

This satirical comedy that lampoons the action news format of the 1970s makes some bold choices. Starting off with the entry of Corningstone (played by Christina Applegate), who replaces the protagonist Ron Burgundy and soon showcases her mettle by being an ambitious and hard-hitting reporter. Her character, even if comedic, is the ideal journalist.

5. Augustus Haynes, The Wire

The cult classic show mainly revolves around bureaucracy and the nexus between crime and the lofty institutions of our society like police, education, and media. But amidst all this, there is one character, Haynes (portrayed by Clark Johnson), who is a commanding editor-in-chief and knows the importance of journalistic ethics. His morality creates clashes with the higher-ups and even with budget cuts, he goes on working on his stories.

6. Paul Avery, Zodiac

The David Fincher directorial is one of the most influential movies in the thriller genre and while each and every character has done their part, Robert Downey Jr.’s, authentic portrayal of the real-life reporter is one of the most memorable journalistic performances. Avery is the devoted San Francisco Chronicle reporter who ardently follows the news of the serial killings by the famed Zodiac. He never backs down, even when the murderer sends a death threat to him.

7. Murphy, Murphy Brown

Played by Candice Bergen, this iconic journalist knew what it takes to be a tenacious investigative reporter who is not afraid to put her nose down for a case. Her leadership qualities, wisecrack personality, and an inimitable aura made her an ideal journalist. While her struggle to balance her professional and personal life made her all the more human.

8. Tintin, Tintin

Tintin is a brave journalist, who along with his trusted pet, does not mind traveling across long distances and getting to the bottom of a story, even if it means going through insane adventures and finding oneself in the enemy’s lair. He has been imprisoned multiple times, captured spies, and discovered treasure. He is one dedicated journalist.

9. Danny Concannon, The West Wing

This gripping political drama about the inner workings of the President’s office has some of the most memorable characters. But if there is one character who embodies principled reporting then it is Danny Concannon (played by Timothy Busfield). As a White House reporter, he has a good rapport with the president’s press office, but that does not stop him from censuring the Government.

10. Billy Kwan, The Year of Living Dangerously

This daring character is made memorable in no less measure by the daring actress who played it. Linda Hunt gave it her all when she cut her hair and shaved her eyebrows to get into the character of the principled and courageous Kwan, who is a male photojournalist. Set amidst the political tensions of Jakarta in the 1960s, Kwan helps Mel Gibson’s character navigate the country amidst a revolution and is deeply ethical and even quick-witted.

11. Henry Hackett, The Paper

Michael Keaton does a convincing job as Hackett to portray the fast-paced life of news reporting. Even though Hackett is the workaholic metro editor of the New York Sun, he does not shy away from going into the field to get a story right. He is a journalist who unwittingly puts his career above his personal life but he ultimately means well.

12. Will McAvoy, The Newsroom

This tense newsroom drama began on a grand if not controversial note when McAvoy (played by Jeff Daniels) declared that America is not as great as it seems. But his disgruntled start eases into balance as he turns into the moral center of his journalistic team and refuses to give weightage to stories without facts and figures. His passionate speeches and revolt against higher-ups' interference are praiseworthy.

13. Richard Boyle, Salvador

Boyle is one of those journalists who can’t seem to get a hold of their personal life but know how to dig deep for a story. Played convincingly by James Woods, this capricious reporter might have blown all his money on drinking and drugs but when it is time, he can reach El Salvador and provide a humanitarian eye to the ongoing civil war. Caught between leftist guerrillas and right-wingers, Boyle holds his own.

14. Jane Craig, Broadcast News

Holly Hunter as Craig is one of the few pre-feminist icons of her time. While the movie is from the 1980s and is a cheesy rom-com, Craig is an eye-opening layered female character who is decades ahead of her time. Her idealism, talent, and blunt persona make her the ideal journalist who is married to her career and chooses it at the end, even over love.

15. Alex Levy and Bradley Jackson, The Morning Show

When heavyweight actresses like Jennifer Aniston (Levy) and Reese Witherspoon (Jackson) essay a role, it is a no-brainer that the characters automatically get lifted. While Levy is a veteran host, who has courage and resilience, and a no-nonsense attitude, Jackson starts off as an inconsistent field reporter, until she gains confidence in her abilities. Both the female journalists are raw, brave, and yet vulnerable.

16. Miranda Priestly, The Devil Wears Prada

Even if the character is based on the Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, Meryl Streep’s Priestly is iconic in her own right. Even if she is the cold-hearted and calculated editor of a fashion magazine, she knows the tides of changing trends like a seasoned journalist and is able to deliver perfectly always. Powerful and influential, she indirectly mentors Andy and gives her the space to find her own voice.

17. Camilee Preaker, Sharp Objects

The psychological thriller has many multi-faceted characters and Preaker (played by Amy Adams), is one of them. Her dysfunctionality and alcoholism, coupled with her traumatic past, do not take away her grit and determination as a journalist, who is hell-bent on solving her hometown’s murders. Instead, all this makes her even more human and real.

18. Mary Richards, The Mary Tyler Moore Show

Portrayed by Mary Tyler Moore, Richards is the associate producer of the Six O’Clock News broadcast special at the local news channel, WJM-TV. Ahead of her time, the lovable and comedic yet courageous female journalist tackles challenges head-on and gains her confidence as the show progresses. Richards is considered one of the most memorable fictional journalists.

19. Marty Baron, Spotlight

As a critically acclaimed movie that revolves around a group of journalists pursuing a story about child molestation inside a local Church, this hard-hitting film has some of the most authentic portrayals of journalists. But Baron’s (played by Live Schreiber) performance as the Boston Globe editor is memorable as he nudges his team to look in the right direction and is with them every step of the way.

20. Ben Bradlee, The Post

Under Steven Spielberg’s watchful directorial eye, this tense thriller about a group of reporters at The Washington Post who are trying to courageously bring the Pentagon Papers to light sheds a realistic look inside the workings of journalism. Bradlee (played by Tom Hanks), is the journalist in charge of uncovering the papers, and Hanks’ masterclass acting combined with the determination and bravery of Bradlee, make him a memorable character.