OUR great country generally believed to be on the last lap of journey through the wilderness to get to the promised land, needs to benefit from some lessons of history as a news item. Yes there comes a time when history is worth treating as it were a breaking news item. And here is the thing, our political leaders and their followers who are becoming increasingly careless and reckless in their political speeches and actions should learn from this part of history of consequences of political blunders in global context. It is now a small world of unlearning and relearning so that we can improve on our offerings to society. It’s a time for our leaders and even their publicists who disguise as journalists to reflect on a significant lesson of history made in political leadership 53 years ago.
I believe we all need lessons from history at this time so that we don’t become victims of danger of assumptions that we can continue to enjoy a culture of impunity forever. And so here is the news anchored by two of the best journalists in the 21st century, Boob Woodward (82) and Carl Bernstein (81). The lesson for us here (organic journalists) is that only consistency in serious journalism of outrage that targets systemic rot thorough investigations and monitoring can lead to genuine change we desire.
Doubtless, reckless governance nurtured by corrupt leadership in politics and business will continue to grow wings here if we continue to deodorise public relations as good journalism. We need to learn from the playbook of significant journalism as established since 1972 by two masters, Woodward and Bernstein whose works have been adopted too by the World Bank Institute as framework for investigative journalism worldwide.
The Watergate scandal of 1972-1974 is unarguably one of the most iconic examples of the power of journalism. It not only toppled a U.S. president but also solidified the media’s role as a critical watchdog of democracy. What began as a seemingly minor break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters in the Watergate complex in Washington, D.C., turned into a full-blown political crisis that toppled a president who was desperate for re-election.
Don’t get it twisted, young folks, good journalism still matters in this age of digital journalism. Social media hasn’t taken any steam out of good journalism that can disrupt and trigger systemic change we desire. And here is why through the lens of history for politicians and media practitioners:
The Watergate scandal in history
The Watergate scandal was a pivotal moment in American politics. It began on June 17, 1972, when five men were arrested for breaking into the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate complex in Washington, D.C. The burglars were linked to the Committee to Re-elect the President (CRP), a fundraising organisation established to support Nixon’s re-election campaign.
The journalistic legwork
The scandal was brought to light by the investigative reporting of Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, two journalists from The Washington Post. Their relentless pursuit of the truth uncovered a series of damning revelations that implicated top officials in the Nixon administration, including White House aides and members of the president’s inner circle. Their reporting relied on anonymous sources and leaked documents, which ultimately led to the unraveling of the scandal.
Key takeaways of the scandal
Though the public only first caught wind of this scandal after the June 17, 1972 Watergate break-in, the controversy was years in the making. The fact file: Groups close to the White House used illegal means to assure their president, Richard Nixon, would get elected to a second term. And so the Watergate burglary was a chance to spy on the opposition, the Democratic Party. It wasn’t long before a trail led straight to key people in the Republican Party, and the cover-up began. Intrepid reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, with help from their anonymous source Deep Throat, helped unravel the mess, and eventually the Watergate Scandal forced the first and only resignation of a U.S. president. Key backgrounds in the political eruption Abuja’s big people, et al can also learn from:
The leaked Pentagon papers
In mid-1971, the Pentagon Papers were leaked. That report proved that administrations from Truman to Johnson had intentionally expanded their Vietnam War efforts – in contrast to what the public was told.
The White House Plumbers
The Nixon administration then panicked and formed a covert group to halt leaks. Nixon advisor John Ehrlichman assembled the White House Plumbers, and included former CIA agent E. Howard Hunt and former FBI agent G. Gordon Liddy.
Nixon’s enemies list
Soon, the president’s political rivals were recorded on Nixon’s Enemies List. Politicians, journalists and even Hollywood actors Nixon feared could stop his reelection were included, and were harassed by the administration with tax audits, legal action and more.
Committee for re-election of the President
Prior to the 1972 election, the Republicans created a Committee for the Re-Election of the President (CRP). John Mitchell stepped down as Attorney General to chair that committee.
Illegal means (the tragic error)
According to the available facts, the CRP used questionable and illegal means to achieve their goal. For example, Mitchell kept a slush fund to subsidise information gathering on the Democrats. Ultimately, a plan was approved to bug and steal information from the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate Hotel.
Watergate break-In
On June 17, 1972, during the second of these break-ins, the burglars were arrested. The FBI quickly linked those arrested with Hunt. Because of his connection to the Plumbers, Nixon ordered his Chief of Staff Bob Haldeman to instruct the CIA to block further FBI investigation into the finances behind the Watergate break-in. The cover-up began.
A paper trail to the CRP
The Nixon administration then officially denied involvement in the burglary. However, more clues emerged that conflicted with this: aside from the Hunt connection, one of the burglars was a Republican Party aide, and a paper trail led to the CRP.
Woodward, Bernstein and Deep Throat (the power of good journalism and democracy)
On June 20, 1972 The Washington Post journalists Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein reported on the Hunt connection, with confirmation from their anonymous source Deep Throat. This team was instrumental in unraveling the Watergate case, and in implicating the Justice Department, the FBI, the CIA, and the White House. In 2005, Deep Throat was revealed as former FBI Deputy Director Mark Felt.
Nixon’s re-election (how desperation for re-election can harm after election)
By September 1972, the burglars, Hunt and Liddy were indicted by a grand jury. Despite connections to the scandal, Nixon was decisively re-elected that November. But that didn’t end good journalism and the inquiries.
The Scandal explodes
The burglars pleaded guilty before Hunt and Liddy went to trial in early 1973. The scandal soon exploded when many of the administration’s important figures were implicated.
Top aides lost jobs
In April, 1972 four top Nixon aides lost their jobs due to their involvement in the cover-up: Haldeman, Ehrlichman, Attorney General Richard Kleindienst, and White House lawyer John Dean.
Official investigations
Official investigations began in mid-1973, led by Senator Sam Ervin and Special Prosecutor Archibald Cox. They proved the connection between the burglary and the White House and CRP (re-election committee).
Valuable witnesses
The AG, Dean became a valuable witness when he divulged Nixon knew about the cover-up. In July, Nixon assistant Alexander Butterfield explosively revealed the existence of Nixon-installed recording devices throughout the White House.
“I’m not a crook”
Those tapes were subpoenaed; however, Nixon refused to release them citing executive privilege. To save himself, Nixon dismissed the Attorney General, his deputy and Cox in the “Saturday Night Massacre.” Public outcry followed, and Nixon responded with one of his most-quoted speeches in November ’73: “I am not a crook”.
Watergate seven indicted
By March, 1974 the Watergate Seven were indicted. Many spent time in prison, and though Nixon was named he remained unindicted.
The smoking gun
The Watergate tapes were finally released in July 1974. An 18-minute erased section proved controversial. Of the exposed facts, it was found that some involved in the break-in had received hush money. Most important, the “smoking gun” tape undeniably proved Nixon knew about the cover-up since mid-1972. Nixon was forced to step down or face impeachment.
President Nixon resigned
Finally, on August 8, 1974, Nixon resigned, and was replaced by Gerald Ford. Exactly one month later, Ford officially pardoned him.
Effects, legacy and lessons
This political controversy resulted in multiple arrests, the creation of new laws, renewed interest in investigative journalism and the first resignation of a U.S. president. The Watergate Scandal undoubtedly changed American politics forever.
More details of break-in at the opposition headquarters and lessons for Abuja
The break-in: Five men were arrested for breaking into the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate complex. Any lesson for an Abuja hitman?
Cover-up: The Nixon administration attempted to cover up its involvement in the break-in, but Woodward and Bernstein’s reporting exposed the scandal.
Investigations: Congressional hearings and media investigations revealed widespread abuses of power and corruption within the Nixon administration.
Can our National Assembly learn from the power of investigation here?
Resignation: Nixon resigned on August 8, 1974, to avoid impeachment.
Lessons for today’s leaders
The Watergate scandal provides several lessons for contemporary leaders:
Accountability: Leaders must be held accountable for their actions, and a free press plays a crucial role in investigating and reporting on government wrongdoing.
Ethics in Governance: The scandal highlights the importance of ethical governance and the dangers of unchecked power and corruption.
Citizen Engagement: The Watergate scandal shows how citizen vigilance and demand for transparency can lead to significant political change.
Impact of the Watergate scandal
The Watergate scandal had a profound impact on American politics, leading to:
Reforms in campaign finance laws: The scandal led to changes in campaign finance laws to reduce the influence of money in politics.
Increased Oversight: The establishment of independent special prosecutors and congressional committees increased oversight of executive powers.
Shift in public trust: The scandal marked a turning point in the relationship between the public, the media, and the government, with increased scrutiny of political leaders.
Money laundering and financial crimes
The Watergate scandal also exposed underlying issues of financial crimes, including money laundering. Evidence suggests that some of the funds used for hush money payments and covert operations involved layering and structuring to avoid detection. This highlights the importance of financial transparency and accountability in politics.
In the main, the Watergate scandal was a significant event in American politics that highlighted the importance of a free press, accountability, and transparency in government. The legacy of the scandal continues to shape American politics, and its lessons remain relevant for today’s leaders and journalists who may have been wondering about where the rain has begun to beat us in the market place. The greatest lesson for a decent democracy is clear here: that it is illegal and unethical for a ruling party to undermine the opposition party for re-election.
- Oloja is former editor of The Guardian newspaper and his column, Inside Stuff, runs on the back page of the newspaper on Sundays. The column appears on News Point Nigeria newspaper on Mondays.