Ep 3. Willie Pete

In The Newsroom season 2 episode 3, titled "Willie Pete," the ACN team tackles a controversial topic—the use of white phosphorus as a weapon. The episode opens with footage from a U.S. drone strike in Afghanistan that uses this weapon, causing severe burns and injuries to civilians. The newsroom staff debates whether the use of this weapon is justified in war and whether they should report on it.

Meanwhile, Jim and Maggie head to New Hampshire to cover a town hall meeting for the upcoming presidential primaries. Jim is excited to work with Hallie, a fellow reporter and his crush, while Maggie is distracted by her personal life as she tries to avoid the media attention on her break-up with Don.

Back in the newsroom, Neal receives a mysterious encrypted file from an anonymous source. At first, he assumes it's a hoax and ignores it. But as he investigates further, he discovers that the file contains classified information that confirms the use of white phosphorus in Afghanistan. Neal's journalistic instincts kick in, and he decides to pursue the story despite the risks.

As the team struggles to confirm the story and weigh the potential consequences of reporting on it, they receive a message from a high-ranking military official warning them about the dangers of exposing classified information. The newsroom staff must decide whether to follow their journalistic principles or to comply with the government's request to keep the story under wraps.

Meanwhile, the town hall meeting takes an unexpected turn when a member of the audience confronts Jim about his coverage of the Romney campaign in the previous election. The encounter leads to a heated argument about journalistic integrity and bias in the media.

The episode ends with the newsroom staff making a crucial decision about whether to run the story or to hold back. The tension and drama in this episode are magnified by the ethical dilemmas and controversial subject matter, making it a thought-provoking and powerful installment of The Newsroom.