Legendary Journalist Sy Hersh's Storied Career Explored in New Documentary

The new documentary "Cover-Up" shines a spotlight on the remarkable career of Sy Hersh, one of the most renowned investigative journalists of our time. Hersh, now 88 years old, has spent decades uncovering some of the most shocking and impactful stories in modern history.

In 1969, Hersh broke the news of the My Lai Massacre, where a U.S. Army platoon slaughtered hundreds of innocent Vietnamese civilians during the Vietnam War. This groundbreaking report would cement Hersh's reputation as a fearless and relentless truth-seeker. Over the years, he has followed up with other explosive exposés, including the U.S. secret bombing of Cambodia, the Watergate scandal, and the abuses committed by American personnel at the Abu Ghraib prison during the Iraq War.

The documentary, directed by Oscar winner Laura Poitras and Mark Obenhaus, delves into the driving forces behind Hersh's work. His colleagues describe him as a "great talker" and "brilliant and charming," qualities that have helped him cultivate a vast network of sources willing to share sensitive information. Hersh's deep skepticism of the military establishment and its ability to evade responsibility for the actions of its soldiers is a recurring theme in his reporting.

While Hersh has faced some criticism over the years, the filmmakers make it clear that his body of work is a testament to the vital role of investigative journalism in a functioning democracy. As Poitras states, "The magnitude of Sy's work is just so astounding that what this man has uncovered, it just should be celebrated in every newsroom, every journalism school."