Embedded Files
“She Said”, describes the journalistic process which effectively broke the New York Times story of Harvey Weinstein’s years of sexually assaulting his subordinates. The story existed mostly as whispers, buried allegations, hushed payouts, failed news reports, and long-held secrets. That was until journalists from the New York Times were able to piece together a pattern of abusive behaviour by ethically and patiently collecting evidence and accounts of abuse from silenced victims. Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor, describe their investigation into the disturbing details of the “casting couch” and how they were able to reveal the truth with so little to start from. The book helped set the record straight about victims of sexual crimes and the difficulty they face speaking out in a society that is largely dismissive, blameful, and shaming.
One aspect of the book that stood out was the relationship between the journalists and the victims. The journalists entered a world with barely any sources or connections. Hollywood - with all its glam, glory, and celebrity, is usually accessible to journalists through publicists, managers, and personal assistants. But that is not a viable option when the subject matter is so personal and sensitive.
Most of the victims in the book were muzzled by non-disclosure agreements and a general hesitation to be marked as victims or accusers for life. Despite this, the story managed to advance the #MeToo movement and hold powerful people accountable.
This achievement can be explained by the great respect given to the victims and sources by the journalists. Jodi Kantor had been laying the groundwork with actress, Ashley Judd, for over three months. Instead of rushing and pleading with the actress to go on record, Kantor showed her the strength the article holds. Going into the story, this was one of the dilemmas the journalists faced: getting the women to go on record. The initial strategy was to find enough of them, urge them to go public at once, and find safety in numbers, which is also what was expected by victims like Ashley Judd. But this proved to be difficult. So, the reporters set aside half-verified and even serious allegations. Instead, they expanded on solid information that could be proved, such as on-record interviews and the 8 – 12 settlements.
Despite the respect and protection provided to victims, the ethics and practices of journalism were not compromised. The accounts of alleged victims were corroborated with the people they had confided in at that time, as per the standard procedure. Also, like other publications, the newspaper, would not assume legal responsibility for victims if they were litigated. This was explained to Rachel Crooks, a secretary at Trump Tower, who feared Trump would sue her. This is also seen in the way Jodi Kantor separates herself from her sources. Not wanting to get in the middle of the action, when Gwyneth Paltrow frantically calls her because Weinstein is in her house, she talks Paltrow through options instead.
This was common behavior seen in Weinstein during the course of the book, which highlights another dilemma faced by reporters: competing with the subject. Earlier in the book, when Harvey Weinstein knew the Times was working on a story about him, he went on the offensive. It became a contest on getting sources and a race to expose or hide information. Weinstein paid $100,000 a month to the firm, Black Cube, to manipulate information and a bonus, to stop the publication altogether.
Lisa Bloom, one of Weinstein’s legal advisors suggested “placing articles” to discredit a more outspoken victim, Rose McGowan. Weinstein even threatened to give an interview with The Washington Post. The legal resources and online security experts working at the Times helped fend off such confrontations.
This face-off culminated in the final journalistic practice of taking the findings to the subject, Weinstein, and giving him a chance to respond to the allegations. Though this was met with the greatest fears by the journalists on the source’s safety and even possible smear campaigns against them in tabloids, it had to be done.
Weinstein’s unchecked power flourished in a system that had no measures in place to protect workers that are considered “dispensable”. The possibility of further assault made it crucial to breaking the story even if there weren’t a large number of victims ready to speak out. Breaking this story, built a solidarity that allowed women to come forward with their stories. The book in itself, with all of the insight into previously off-the-record and background interviews, is a testament to the length society has come to, where people can speak freely. The stories exposing power, prestige, reputation, and privilege doused in corruption, finally brought about a changed social standard and a chance towards retribution.
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