Watch All Governments Lie: Truth, Deception, And The Spirit Of I.F. Stone

All Governments Lie: Truth, Deception, And The Spirit Of I.F. Stone is a riveting, eye-opening documentary that delves deep into the world of investigative journalism and the power of the media. Directed by Fred Peabody, this 2016 film explores the life and work of famed journalist I.F. Stone and his deep commitment to uncovering the truth.

The film opens with a powerful quote from Stone: "Governments lie, newspapers lie. Everything lies." From there, we are taken on a journey through Stone's life and career, as well as the lives and careers of some of today's most prominent investigative reporters, including Amy Goodman, Jeremy Scahill, and Glenn Greenwald.

The film is in many ways a love letter to Stone, who is considered by many to be the godfather of modern investigative journalism. Born in 1907, Stone was a prolific writer and journalist who dedicated his career to exposing government lies and hidden agendas. He was a champion of the underdog and a fierce opponent of those in power, never hesitating to call out corruption and injustice when he saw it. Throughout the film, we hear from many of Stone's contemporaries and successors, all of whom credit him with inspiring their own work and dedication to the truth.

But All Governments Lie is not just about Stone. It's also a powerful critique of the state of modern journalism, which has been co-opted by corporate interests and diluted by the rise of "infotainment." The film argues that in a world where news is increasingly driven by profit motives, the pursuit of truth has taken a back seat to ratings and advertising dollars. This has given rise to a new wave of independent journalists who are using new technologies and platforms to bypass the mainstream media and get their stories directly to the public.

One of the most compelling aspects of the film is its exploration of the role of whistleblowers in exposing government lies and corruption. We hear from people like Daniel Ellsberg, who famously leaked the Pentagon Papers to the New York Times in 1971, and Edward Snowden, who leaked classified information about the NSA's surveillance programs in 2013. These people risked everything to bring the truth to light, and their actions have had a profound impact on journalism and government accountability.

All Governments Lie is not all doom and gloom, however. There are many uplifting moments in the film, as we see independent journalists and activists working together to effect change and expose the truth. We also see the power of social media and other new technologies in democratizing the media landscape, giving ordinary people a platform to speak truth to power.

Throughout the film, there are many insightful interviews with prominent journalists and thinkers, including Amy Goodman, Chris Hedges, Leslie Moonves, and Matt Taibbi. These people offer valuable insights into the challenges facing modern journalism and the importance of holding those in power accountable.

All Governments Lie is a powerful and timely film that should be required viewing for anyone who cares about the state of modern journalism and the pursuit of truth. It is a compelling tribute to the legacy of I.F. Stone and a stirring call to action for those who believe that the media can and should do better.

All Governments Lie: Truth, Deception, And The Spirit Of I.F. Stone is a 2016 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3 and a MetaScore of 63.