JANUARY 2023:
THE INSIDER’S WHISTLE BLEW LOUDLY…
Marie Brenner‘s 1996 Vanity Fair article, “The Man Who Knew Too Much,” served as the basis for the seven time Academy Award-nominated film The Insider starring Al Pacino and Russell Crowe. While the article and subsequent film shed light on important issues surrounding corporate influence and journalistic integrity, there are a few aspects of Brenner‘s work that warrant critique.
One of the main criticisms of the article is its tendency towards sensationalism. Brenner‘s writing style often leans towards creating a dramatic narrative rather than presenting a balanced and nuanced portrayal of the events. While this approach may capture readers’ attention, it risks overshadowing the underlying issues and diluting the impact of the story. For instance, in the first few paragraphs, you have already felt the sensationalism of Jeffery Wigand:
“By this time, Jeff Wigand and I have spent several days together, and I am accustomed to his outbursts. A form of moral outrage seems to have driven him from B&W (Brown & Williamson), and he is often irascible and sometimes, on personal matters, relentlessly negative…”
– Marie Brenner, “The Man Who Knew Too Much” (1996)
But then a few paragraphs down you’re reading about the deposition he would give in a massive lawsuit filed in Mississippi by then attorney general, Mike Moore, where the impact of his story is felt:
“If the states attorneys general, with an assist from Jeffrey Wigand, were to succeed in proving that cigarettes are addictive, the cigarette companies could be forced into settling the hundreds of thousands of plaintiff actions that would result.”
– Marie Brenner, “The Man Who Knew Too Much” (1996)
Furthermore, some argue that the article lacks objectivity and fails to provide a comprehensive analysis of the situation. Brenner primarily focuses on the personal struggles and experiences of Jeffrey Wigand, the B&W whistleblower at the center of the story. While Wigand‘s story is undeniably compelling, a broader examination of the tobacco industry’s practices and their implications on public health would have enhanced the article’s credibility and impact. There is mention of research from the 1960s that proved cigarettes were addictive but there is no elaboration or follow-up on this revelation, no further research is done by Brenner to sus out what actually happened to the documents and research after it was completed:
“According to documents that later wound up in the University of California at San Francisco library, even in the 1960s research had been done for B&W which tobacco activists say proved that cigarettes were addictive and caused cancer.”
– Marie Brenner, “The Man Who Knew Too Much” (1996)
Another concern is the potential oversimplification of complex ethical dilemmas. “The Man Who Knew Too Much” touches upon the ethical conflicts faced by both journalists and corporate insiders, but it falls short of thoroughly exploring these issues. A more robust exploration of the moral gray areas surrounding the protection of sources, corporate loyalty, and journalistic responsibility would have added depth to the article and sparked meaningful discussions. There is only a brief description of the lifelong confidentiality agreement that Wigand had to sign with B&W and would eventually break to be the whistleblower for Big Tobacco and how the story at 60 Minutes is pulled due to a legal phrase “tortious interference” that could have resulted in a billion-dollar lawsuit against CBS:
“On September 12, Mike Wallace was asked to attend a meeting with Ellen Kaden, the CBS general counsel, Bergman, then president of CBS News Eric Ober. 60 Minutes executive producer Don Hewitt, and Phil Scheffler, Hewitt’s second-in-command. “I think we have a problem,” Kaden said and used the phrase “tortious interference,” which she said involved persuading someone to break a contract with another party. Because Wigand had a confidentiality agreement with B&W, She said, CBS could be at a grave, grave risk.”
– Marie Brenner, “The Man Who Knew Too Much” (1996)
Despite these critiques, it is important to acknowledge that Brenner‘s article and the subsequent film succeeded in raising public awareness about the critical intersection of corporate power, media influence, and public health. They shed light on the challenges faced by whistleblowers and the pressures encountered by journalists reporting on sensitive topics. By bringing these issues to the forefront, “The Man Who Knew Too Much” contributed to a larger conversation on accountability and transparency.
In conclusion, while Marie Brenner‘s 1996 Vanity Fair article “The Man Who Knew Too Much” and its film adaptation The Insider tackled important subject matter, they are not without flaws. The article’s sensationalism, lack of objectivity, and oversimplification of ethical dilemmas hinder its potential for delivering a more comprehensive and balanced exploration of the events. Nonetheless, the work succeeded in generating dialogue and shedding light on critical issues of nicotine addiction and public health that continue to resonate today.
The Insider is available now to stream on your preferred platform.