Martin Baron, one of the journalists behind the story that inspired the movie Spotlight is at Carleton University today. He is here to have a one-on-one conversation with CBC's Robyn Bresnahan to talk about the Academy Award nominated film and the future of journalism at The Washington Post.
"I was very pleased that he agreed to accept the role, he's a great actor," said Baron, when referring to Liev Schreiber, the American actor that played him in the movie Spotlight.
Baron said he was very pleased with the film.
Spotlight is a movie about the Boston Globe's coverage of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church.
"I didn't decide to go after the Catholic Church, I decided to pursue a story," said Baron.
"There was a priest that was accused of abusing 80 kids," said Baron. "How could you not pursue that story."
"It was awkward, I was an hour late," said Baron when asked about meeting with the cardinal in Boston. He said he was tardy because he did not know how to get around in the City. "Don't ever use MapQuest in Boston!" he added. The crowd laughed.
"In 2002, when the first story was coming out, what was going through your head," said Bresnahan. "I was wondering what the reaction would be, " said Baron.
Bresnahan said she watched Spotlight at the Mayfair Theatre.
"In a time when people talk about the responsibility of journalists, not holding people with power accountable is the most irresponsible thing we can do," said Baron.
"In 10 to 15 minutes, we will be opening the floor to questions," said Bresnahan.
"Honest talk, I think we have to be frank about where things are going," said Baron. "And the reality is, people are reading digitally." He said that people are typically reading on smartphones,
"We have to understand how communication has changed today," he added.
"From a business standpoint, who do you think your biggest competition is?" said Bresnahan. Baron said that The Washington Post's most serious competition is Google, Facebook and Twitter, "but mainly Facebook and Google." said Baron.
"When the tablet came out, it was supposed to be the savior of newspapers," said Bresnahan. With that clearly not being the case, she asked Baron if there is one thing that could save them. He said, "the clear answer to that is no."
Baron said that one of the reasons why the Church story had such a big impact was because it could be read around the world.
Baron said he hopes the movie will cause the public to reflect on the need of investigative reporting.
"A lot of government officials are afraid to talk to the press," said Baron.
"We need a lot of graphics and we need the advertisement, " said Baron because of the large number of people who look at The Washington Post website.
A first-year journalism student asked Baron to explain what inspired him to pursue journalism.
He said it all started with his parents. They were interested in the world, they would read the morning paper and watch the evening news. "From a very early age, I was pretty sure I wanted to be a journalist," he said.
"Just because it is difficult, incredibly difficult, doesn't mean it's impossible," said Baron about the future of journalism.
"There is an incredible amount of opportunities for journalists," said Baron.
"Be curious about the world, be good writers, be good thinkers and learn how to use all of the tools that are available because you'll have to use them," he said.
"Be an optimist!," he added.