Fascism in Cinema: The Fourth Estate

Fascism in Cinema: The Fourth Estate

From Sonic Cinema Podcast by Brian Skutle

November 22, 2025 · 2h 20m · Season 11 · Episode 15

About this episode

The episode discusses the role of a free press in combating authoritarian regimes, featuring a conversation with Joan Amenn and focusing on notable films.

When it comes to authoritarian regimes- or those aspiring to be- a free and independent press can be its worst enemy. Fake news, Lugenpresse. "Liberal bias." Those are just some of the ways they can be discredited by leaders with a fetish for dictatorships. In this episode in our "Fascism in Cinema" episode, listen as myself and the Editor in Chief at In Their Own League , Joan Amenn, discuss what a free press means, and why it matters now more than ever. We bring up more films than these, but our discussion focuses on Alan J. Pakula's "All the President's Men" , George Clooney's "Good Night, and Good Luck" , and Tom McCarthy's "Spotlight" . I hope you enjoy!

People in this episode

Host: Brian Skutle

Guest: Joan Amenn

Topics covered

  • fascism
  • cinema
  • free press
  • authoritarian regimes
  • film analysis

Keywords

  • fascism
  • cinema
  • free press
  • All the President's Men
  • Good Night, and Good Luck
  • Spotlight
  • authoritarianism

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: In Their Own League

Books & works: All the President's Men, Good Night, and Good Luck, Spotlight

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