Paper Example on on the Man Who Knew Too Much: Ethical Dilemmas in the Movie

It is an American drama movie produced in 1999. It was directed by Michael Mann and written by Eric Roth. It is based on The man who knew Too Much. The main actors are Al Pacino (Lowell Bergman) and Russell Crowe (Jeffrey Wigand,) among other supporting actors. The movie is a true story based on 60 minutes interview by CBS with Jeffrey Wigand, who whistleblower in the tobacco industry. Wigand, a former employee of Brown &Williamson, should tell the public about nicotine used in the cigarettes manufacturing. The 60 minutes interview never aired due to influence from Brown & Williamson management, third largest cigarettes company. The cigarettes companies are known for doing anything to protect their profits. The movie cover struggles of Jeffrey Wigand and Lowell Bergman (CBS producer) as they defend his testimony against CBS and Wigands former employer.

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The following are some ethical dilemmas in the movie

1. Determination of the cigarettes company to hide research information of nicotine from the public.

Brown & Morrison Company takes all possible means to block all information about effects of nicotine from entering into the public. According to the film, a number of largest firms spend over $600 million yearly illegally to protect their profits. When Wigand disagrees with the company he is fired, they go on to threaten his family if the information leaks.

The issue ends with Wigands interview is air. Many questions arise why many government agencies fail to investigate. The tobacco companies are responsible for being aware and not informing the public about effects of nicotine.

2.) Wigands fear of disclosing the information to the public.

Wigand goes through a dilemma before disclosing the information. Having worked for health companies made him feel guilty if he did not reveal the information. As in the film, he decides to be a whistleblower. Due to the companys interference with his personal life, the wife files a divorce.

Wigand solves the dilemma how some people in his position would have done it. The company was wrong to threaten him if he leaks any information. The people remained quite for this particular reason.

3.) CBS decision to edit the 60 minutes interview by Bergman.

The media corporations decision to modify the story show how great the cigarettes are. The 60 minutes interview is based on disclosing information which the public would otherwise not know. To protect their financial benefits CBS edits the interview.

Mr. Bergman who leaks it to New York Times who pressures CBS to air it. The only option CBS had was to air the show. This situation could be solved earlier if CBS aired it, they should not have blocked. CB has ethical responsibilities to the people to make better choices.

The film brings how the power of big business and how it can marginalize watchdog institutions. It is evident that big business will do anything to protect their profits. It is a proof of how they careless about peoples health conditions. From the film, one can learn that profit making should not be the sole goal.

The role of media is exposed in the movie. Although at long last the interview is aired, Media Corporations seem to be controlled by large enterprises. Honesty is one the responsibilities the media should portray. Failure to be independent media companies will be entirely controlled by other big firms. The main challenge being that the public does not get the information they should but what the companies direct to be given out.