Newswise — Northeastern University journalism professors Nicholas Daniloff, Alan Schroeder, and Stephen Burgard offer comment on the impact and question the accuracy of the discovery of "Deep Throat."
Nicholas Daniloff recalls a conversation he had in December 2003 with Ben Bradlee, editor of The Washington Post, about "Deep Throat." "He told me then that 'Deep Thoat's' obituary had been written and would be released on his death. So until the Washington Post acknowledges that Mark Felt was 'Deep Throat' there will still be a question." According to Daniloff, Bradlee also stated, "The only people who know 'Deep Thoat's' name are Bob Woodward and Carl Woodward's wife, and Bernstein, and himself."
Alan Schroeder comments on the surprising discovery, "This is one of the last mysteries in contemporary American history, one that Woodward and Bernstein said they would not reveal until 'Deep Throat' was dead." Schroeder says, "I think it is fascinating and surprising that someone [Felt] relatively obscure would occupy this position in history."
Said Burgard, "Watergate continues to be a larger than life mythic tale in journalism. If Mark Felt is 'Deep Throat,' then it seems unusual that Woodward and Bernstein would continue to honor the confidence. In my view, the reporters should have qualified their 'death do us part' promise by saying that when 'Deep Throat' reveals himself, we will too."
Nicholas Daniloff, a 30-year veteran in national media, joined Northeastern University in 1989 and became director of journalism programs in 1992. He is a former Washington and Moscow correspondent for United Press International and U.S. News &World Report. While on assignment in the Soviet Union during the Cold War, he was detained as a Soviet prisoner-of-war. Daniloff has written two books, The Kremlin and the Cosmos (1972) and Two Lives One Russia (1988) and numerous popular and academic articles. Daniloff teaches ethics, and graduate and undergraduate print journalism courses.
Alan Schroeder is an expert in presidential debates, political reporting, campaign tactics, presidential campaigns, can speak knowledgeably on the increasingly tight relationship between Hollywood and politics. He is the author of Celebrity-in-Chief: How Show Business Took Over the White House and Presidential Debates: 40 Years of High-Risk TV. A former TV news producer and veteran journalist, Schroeder has written a number of scholarly articles on political debates, campaign documentaries, Hollywood films, and the history of television news. A frequent media commentator, he has been quoted as an expert source by the New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times and USA Today, and has appeared on ABC's Good Morning America, the BBC, CBS, CNN, C-SPAN, MSNBC, Fox News Channel, and NPR's Fresh Air and Morning Edition.
Stephen Burgard came to Northeastern in 2002 after 26 years as an editor and reporter at daily newspapers across the country. He was a member of the editorial board of the Los Angeles Times from 1990 to 2002, and also taught journalism at California State University, Fullerton. He has written for Columbia Journalism Review, the Christian Science Monitor, the Boston Herald among other publications. At Northeastern he teaches newswriting and journalism ethics. His research interests include the relationship between the press and other democratic institutions and religion. His 1997 book "Hallowed Ground" was one of Amazon.com's Top Ten Religion Books of 1997.
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