New documentary profiling Amy Goodman and Democracy Now! explores East Timor, oil industry power, and the politics of accountability

A new documentary, profiled in a review published by The Guardian on Aug. 12, examines the career of Amy Goodman, the long-running host of the independent news program Democracy Now! The film, titled Steal This Story, Please (as referenced in the review), is presented as a comprehensive look at Goodman’s reporting style and her continued focus on investigations, with the review describing the documentary as spanning the work that has defined her public profile for years.

The Guardian’s review says the film takes in a storyline connected to a massacre in East Timor, using that case as a through-line to discuss what the review characterizes as the actions of major oil companies and the difficulties of holding governments and powerful institutions to account. The review describes the documentary as linking investigative journalism with on-the-ground accountability, while highlighting how the news organization works to keep disputed information in public view.

In the same review, the documentary is described as also addressing the political environment surrounding U.S. diplomacy during the East Timor reporting era, including what the review characterizes as the reaction of former U.S. President Bill Clinton. The Guardian writes that the film depicts Clinton as “flustered,” presenting that portrayal as part of the documentary’s broader argument about how high-profile public figures respond to persistent questioning from reporters.

The film’s focus on Goodman and Democracy Now! is framed in the review as a continuation of a tradition of “campaigning journalism,” a term The Guardian uses to describe reporting that aims to document events and pressure institutions to respond. The review also situates Goodman as a prominent figure in American left-leaning media, and contrasts her endurance in the field with what it characterizes as the quieter profile of other prominent documentary and media figures referenced by name in the review.

Beyond its central biographical focus, the review presents the documentary as a study of journalistic method, emphasizing Goodman’s investigative approach and the persistence the review says underpins the work. It characterizes the film as “comprehensive,” suggesting that the documentary blends case studies with reflections on Goodman’s media career rather than focusing only on a single event.

Because the present record consists only of The Guardian’s description and review framing, the specific release platform, production credits, or screening schedule are not confirmed in the supplied material. Readers seeking practical viewing details would need to consult the film’s distribution listing or an official production or festival page to confirm where and when it will be available.

Still, the documentary’s subjects as summarized by The Guardian point to the kinds of investigations Goodman is known for: episodes of mass violence, corporate influence, and the public response of political leadership. The review’s emphasis on East Timor and the role of oil industry actors suggests the film is intended to connect individual reporting episodes to broader questions about information access, accountability, and institutional power.