The Journalist and the Murderer summary

Exploring the Complex Relationship Between Journalist and Subject

In The Journalist and the Murderer by Janet Malcolm, we are taken on a thought-provoking journey that delves into the intricate and often contentious relationship between journalists and their subjects. The book begins with the case of Jeffrey MacDonald, a former Green Beret doctor who was convicted of murdering his wife and two young daughters. MacDonald had allowed journalist Joe McGinniss to write a book about his case, believing that McGinniss would present his side of the story.

However, MacDonald was shocked to discover that McGinniss had concluded his guilt before the trial even began. McGinniss's book, Fatal Vision, portrayed MacDonald as a sociopathic killer, a betrayal that led to a lawsuit from MacDonald against McGinniss. This lawsuit forms the basis of Malcolm's exploration into the ethics and dynamics of journalism.

The Betrayal of Trust

Malcolm argues that the relationship between journalist and subject is inherently flawed, built on a foundation of mutual deception. The journalist, she contends, must gain the trust of the subject to obtain the necessary information, yet the journalist's ultimate goal is to reveal the subject's story to the public, often in a way that may not align with the subject's intentions. This, Malcolm suggests, is a form of betrayal.

She uses McGinniss's actions as a prime example of this betrayal. By pretending to be sympathetic to MacDonald's cause, McGinniss was able to gain access to his inner thoughts and feelings, only to use this information to paint a damning picture of him in his book. Malcolm argues that this kind of deception is inherent in the journalist-subject relationship, and that the subject is always at a disadvantage.

The Journalist's Role as a 'Con'

Malcolm goes on to describe the journalist as a 'confidence man' or a 'con'. She argues that the journalist, like a con artist, must gain the trust of the subject in order to extract the necessary information. However, unlike a con artist, the journalist's ultimate goal is not personal gain, but rather the public good. This, she suggests, is what makes the journalist's role so morally complex.

She also points out that the journalist's ability to manipulate the subject's trust is often a key factor in the success of their work. This manipulation, she argues, is a necessary evil, but one that should be acknowledged and understood by both parties involved.

The Unavoidable Conflict

Malcolm concludes that the inherent conflict between journalist and subject is unavoidable. The subject, she argues, is always at a disadvantage, as they must trust the journalist to tell their story accurately and fairly. However, the journalist's ultimate loyalty is to the public, not the subject, and this can lead to a betrayal of trust, as in the case of MacDonald and McGinniss.

In the end, The Journalist and the Murderer is a powerful exploration of the complex and often fraught relationship between journalist and subject. Malcolm's analysis challenges us to consider the ethical implications of this relationship, and to question the role of the journalist as both a storyteller and a 'con'.