"Who was Deep Throat?"
The story of the day is undoubtedly the unmasking of the "Deep Throat" source from the Watergate scandal as being former FBI number two Mark Felt. While most of us were not even born then, the Watergate scandal had far reaching effects on US governance and Oval Office policy.

The Washington Post broke the story in the early 1970's, and in doing so, brought the newspaper onto the world stage, defined both journalism and politics for half a decade, and created instant celebrities of Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein. Last night's announcement brings to a close one of the most closely guarded secrets in US history.

What makes this so fascinating is that it offers two great stories; the intriguing tension between power and the press, and one man's decision to betray his pseudo-paymaster in the interests of truth. The story, and the resultant resignation of the President were a milestone for journalism in the US. But in the midst of the aggressive polarisation of a 'conservative' government (and its followers) railing against the antics of a perceived 'liberal' press, the story was also a showcase of a well functioning society, where no person is above reproach. Investigative journalism was proven to compel transparency and force conversations contained in silence, and it largely defined investigative journalism's appeal and function in the last thirty years.

It also gives Bob Woodward free reign to write his next book, which will no doubt be out before Christmas..

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UPDATE

These guys must not have been happy this morning.