海角论坛

October 18, 2018 鈥� Bob Woodward, famed Washington Post reporter and author of 13 best-selling books, came to Georgetown University last week to speak to the students of Government and Media Relations class.

Government and Media Relations is a class in the 海角论坛鈥檚 taught by Kirby, a CNN military and diplomatic analyst and the former Spokesperson for the Department of State. Throughout the semester, students learn about how to work in either the media or the government and how the two institutions interact with each other.

In brief opening remarks, Woodward reflected on his work with the Navy and how it had impacted his approach to life. While in service, he had been one of the two officers assigned to carry and transport nuclear weapon codes, which inspired him to care about the importance of the political decisions determining their use. It “made him sick” to think of things that institutions may be hiding from the public.

He told students that they, as journalists, are currently facing an institutional crisis.

鈥淲e鈥檙e putting out a product that people don鈥檛 trust,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e have got to find new ways to think about things.鈥�

Woodward discussed his new book Fear: Trump in the White House, a behind-the-scenes look at the first year of the Trump administration. Famed for his role in the Watergate investigation that brought down President Richard Nixon, Woodward admitted he had to relearn some of his old methods in order to complete the project.

鈥淚 realized I had become lazy,鈥� Woodward told students. 鈥淵ou cannot go to the White House [to interview someone], you have to go to people鈥檚 houses. I learned from my colleague Carl Bernstein that you have to go knock on doors.鈥�

After his remarks, students asked questions ranging from his role in Watergate to his time spent covering nine presidents.

When asked how he managed to get such sensitive information from such a high-level source during Watergate, Woodward reminded students that journalists don鈥檛 need to play tricks to get good information.

鈥淵ou don鈥檛 extract from people. You just listen,鈥� he said.

Woodward acknowledged the challenges that journalists face but noted that most reporters are doing their best to get the story right.

鈥淣o President or public official actually likes the press,鈥� Woodward said. 鈥淏ut reporters want to get it right. Almost always it鈥檚 a good faith effort.鈥�

Woodward closed with a piece of advice for the room of aspiring journalists.

鈥淜eep at it. If you work two hours more when you鈥檙e focused, you will double your usefulness to your institution and to yourself.鈥�