Frequently Asked Questions

What is the situation in March 2010?

The stalemate between sides continues, as does community disdain toward the publisher. Wendy McCaw and the fired employees remain locked in a fierce legal struggle. A Federal Appeals court has supported Mrs. McCaw’s position that she does not have to rehire the reporters. The National Labor Relations Board has yet to rule on related issues. An arbitrator found that Mc Caw must pay almost $1,000,000 in legal fees incurred by former editor Jerry Roberts. Travis Armstrong has resigned. The paper continues to accept press releases and the run them as stories. The quality of journalism at The Santa Barbara News-Press has suffered because of the conflict on which the film reports.

What are Journalism Professors and Students saying about “Citizen McCaw”?

Southern Oregon University Professor...

“I have to say that I was truly impressed with the Citizen McCaw learning resource DVDs. I teach a senior level Media Ethics class and on the advice of one of my colleagues in film, I decided to base the first part of our term on the issues brought up in McCaw.

I believe in using real world case studies in conjunction with theoretical concepts in my class and this film worked in wonderfully. My students thought that the film really introduced issues that they could run into once they started to work in the field. I think I was more amazed at how my students who are actually working full time in Print and Broadcast right now, took to this film and how it captures some of their current concerns.

The way the SPJ code is broken down to show the four elements and how they are relevant in the film was a great idea. I plan to use these resources over and over so that my students can understand the day-to-day conflict of Ethics they may have to face.”

Southern Oregon University Student...

“I thought your film Citizen McCaw was a particularly interesting story and a perfect case study for our Media Ethics class to discuss. Rarely does one find such complete coverage of extremely controversial issues within the journalism world. The News Press story is an especially good case study as it is very recent and very relevant to what we are studying.”

Santa Barbara City College Student...

“I found Citizen McCaw to be an incredible demonstration of documentary filmmaking’s power. The team behind this engaging and heartfelt documentary tackled the important issues of ethics, free speech and honor with a passion rarely felt in film. Furthermore, it demonstrates the utter necessity of investigative journalism. I felt like it was truly possible to make a difference and it made me want to make a film of the same caliber. I think Citizen McCaw should be used to demonstrate that in this growing climate of media apathy, it is still possible to do the right thing.”

California State University, Northridge Professor...

“Citizen McCaw was inspirational for our CSUN journalism students; in fact, they said it was one of the highlights of the semester. While we might teach our code of ethics and offer examples of compromising situations, it has incredible impact when students can get a close-up of these dilemmas as they did in this dynamic documentary. It is a must for all journalists -- young and old.”

Scott Martelle, journalist/author, Chapman College...

"Citizen McCaw" is a concise exploration of the effects on a small city when its newspaper gets bought by a heavy hand, and neatly examines the repercussions of everything from ruptured faith with readers to egregious lapses in journalism ethics. It's the perfect mix for the classroom -- and great fodder for the kinds of basic discussions in which student journalists need to engage.”

Can educators teach this material?

Yes. Request your free 2 DVD Learning Resource today.

What is the history of “Citizen McCaw” and who paid for it?

The project commenced in November 2006 when four Santa Barbara residents (each with a distinguished career in media and drama) banded together, without funding, to make this film as a contribution to the historical record of their hometown.

Combined with local support from concerned citizens, they put up their own funds, took no salaries or fees, and weathered several legal threats and a subpoena from Wendy McCaw’s attorneys. In 2008, the film debuted at Santa Barbara’s historic Arlington Theatre, providing a sold out audience of 2,200 people with a riveting look at the players, actions, and principles involved in an epic struggle for the soul of journalism.

What is the best way to keep updated?

Craig Smith is the sage of the story, with sources inside the paper and throughout the community. His blog is the “go to” resource for information, often backed up by the informative coverage provided by EdHat.

Who are the producers?

The producers of the film are Rod Lathim (a leader on Santa Barbara’s cultural scene), Chuck Minsky (cinematographer -- Pretty Woman, Valentines Day, etc.), Peter Seaman (screenwriter -- Shrek The Third, etc.) and Sam Tyler (documentary filmmaker – Three Big Ideas, etc). Together, the producers have over 100 years of award- winning experience in various aspects of dramatic, television, and feature film production.

Brent Sumner of Studio 8 in Santa Barbara is the film’s cinematographer and editor.

Is A DVD available?

DVD’s can be purchased on this website.

Why create “Citizen McCaw”?

Times are changing, and fast, in the newspaper business. With competition from the Internet and blogs, readership, and therefore the bottom line, is suffering for daily papers all over America. As budgets and reporters are cut back and papers go out of business or are sold, there's great concern (or should be) in America about where we're going to get our news and who's going to own it … the publisher or the consumer?

The Santa Barbara News Press 'war' that our film examines is a microcosm of this important national story, with the changes accelerated and the issues in bold face. News and the delivery of truth to the people were considered crucial enough to our democracy that our forefathers wrote a constitutional protection for it. It is, if anything, more important today.

What is the goal of the film?

• To illuminate the truth surrounding the resignations and firings of 80 journalists and staff from the Santa Barbara News Press—the largest such number in the history of American newspapers
• To examine the actions and responsibilities of the paper's wealthy owner
• To help educate future generations of journalism and mass communications students
• To shed light on 1st Amendment issues and the complex notion of 'journalistic ethics’, while telling the story of those with the courage to stand up for them

And finally, from points of view gathered from a wide range of sources, to show how crucially important a hometown daily is to its hometown.