Steal This Story, Please!

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Steal This Story, Please!

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1h 38m

Documentary

Biography

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95%

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22 Reviews

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Fewer than 50 Ratings

Undeterred by armed soldiers, evasive politicians, and riot police, Amy Goodman has reported some of the most consequential stories of our time. Steal This Story, Please! is a gripping account of the trailblazing journalist whose unwavering commitment to truth-telling spans three decades of turbulent history. From the frontlines of global conflicts to the organized chaos of her daily news show Democracy Now!, Goodman amplifies stories and voices too often silenced by commercial media. Academy Award-nominated filmmakers Carl Deal and Tia Lessin (Trouble the Water, Citizen Koch, The Janes) take us behind the scenes with the warm, wisecracking granddaughter of an Orthodox rabbi --raised in a tradition of asking hard questions -- as she navigates a media landscape reshaped by technology, corporate consolidation, and political assaults on the press and on truth itself. Urgent, provocative and unexpectedly funny, Steal This Story, Please! is both a call to action and a celebration of resistance, posing the question: what happens to democracy when the press stops challenging power?

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Zachary Lee

RogerEbert.com

5d

2.5/4

Though didactic, the film serves as an invitation to embody Goodman's values in your own life and work.

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Peter Rainer

FilmWeek (LAist)

May 7

It's a very strong documentary because she's such a strong protagonist.

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Nell Minow

Movie Mom

Apr 30

B+

Goodman reports the facts from the perspective nearly all other journalists overlook, the impact of the news on ordinary people. It is a welcome reminder that irritating, provocative, relentless journalists are an indispensable foundation for democracy.

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Glenn Dunks

reDocumented

2d

...it more accurately reflects the scrappy DIY newsroom of its subject’s outlet. And that’s wonderful to be dunked right into. You can all but hear the shuffling of papers on a desk.

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Lael Loewenstein

FilmWeek (LAist)

May 7

A pretty compelling and dynamic doc.

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Dennis Harvey

48 Hills

May 6

There’s something wistfully sad as well as inspiring about Steal This Story, Please!

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Mark

6d

Inspiriting history, global insights and suprisingly funny and occasionally hilarious!

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Aaron J

Apr 29

Seeing the history and dedication of Democracy Now! staff is incredible and inspirational.

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Suzanne

Apr 27

Amy Goodman shows what true journalism should be. She informs without opinion and lets those involved in the news she is reporting tell their story. She informs her listeners through her interviews of those at the forefront of the conflict. Her reporting and mindful questions remind us that we are all subject to what is going on in the world. We may not agree but she diffuses the animosity between those in opposition by showing the struggles of those who have only been seen in the corporate media as the enemy. She exposes the common ground that we have as human beings that is most often forgotten when we only hear derogatory comments from the mainstream media highlighting what leaders project about those they oppose. Seeing this film gave me hope that we still have people like Amy working to inform the public that they have an opportunity to embrace a new and truthful narrative.

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Sheridith M

Apr 27

Hard to watch but important!

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Peter

Apr 26

Loved it! A must watch for everyone!

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Sara

Apr 26

This is my third time seeing the film this week. Its an inspiration for anyone interested in social justice work, and an incredibly well produced film.

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Carl Deal

Director

Tia Lessin

Director

Juan Gonzalez

Self

Amy Goodman

Self

David Isay

Self

Jeremy Scahill

Self

Steal This Story, Please!: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Undeterred by armed soldiers, evasive politicians, and riot police, Amy Goodman has reported some of the most consequential stories of our time. Steal This Story, Please! is a gripping account of the trailblazing journalist whose unwavering commitment to truth-telling spans three decades of turbulent history. From the frontlines of global conflicts to the organized chaos of her daily news show Democracy Now!, Goodman amplifies stories and voices too often silenced by commercial media. Academy Award-nominated filmmakers Carl Deal and Tia Lessin (Trouble the Water, Citizen Koch, The Janes) take us behind the scenes with the warm, wisecracking granddaughter of an Orthodox rabbi --raised in a tradition of asking hard questions -- as she navigates a media landscape reshaped by technology, corporate consolidation, and political assaults on the press and on truth itself. Urgent, provocative and unexpectedly funny, Steal This Story, Please! is both a call to action and a celebration of resistance, posing the question: what happens to democracy when the press stops challenging power?

Director: Carl Deal, Tia Lessin
Producer: Diane Ademu-John, Carl Deal, Tia Lessin, Karen Ranucci, Caren Spruch, Tony Tabatznik
Distributor: Xceptional Communications
Production Co: Elsewhere Films
Genre: Documentary, Biography
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 10, 2026, Limited
Runtime: 1h 38m