The Insider (1999) is a film full of ethical dilemmas, suspense and controversy. It is based on a true story related to a 1994 episode of the CBS news program 60 Minutes that never aired. The plot puts Dr. Jeffrey Wigand (Russell Crowe) at odds with Brown & Williamson, the third largest tobacco company in the country. Wigand was fired from his position as vice president of research and development, in which he was ordered to withhold information relating to the addictive nature of nicotine. The plot kicks off when 60 Minutes producer Lowell Bergman (Al Pacino) discovers that Wigand has a story to tell. The best way for Wigand to tell that story is with Bergman's help, through an interview that aired on 60 Minutes. However, tobacco companies have a history of fiercely defending their profits, by whatever means necessary, and Brown & Williamson does just that. The story reaches its climax when the interests and incentives of the CBS television station, 60 Minutes, Dr. Wigand and Brown & Williamson are brought into play. Portrayal of Business The film portrays business in an extremely negative light. It focuses on two central conflicts: one between Brown & Williamson and Wigand, the other between CBS Corporation and Bergman. Brown & Williamson is the main antagonist. The movie is full of examples of the bad things they do. Their principle, the most harmful crime, is deception. They are tasked with hiding the addictive properties of nicotine and finding ways to exploit it to increase profits. For example, in Wigand's interview with 60 Minutes, he says that tobacco companies only see cigarettes as a means of transporting nicotine. He also says they take advantage of the addictive properties by manipulating and adding… half of the newspapers, the responsibility that power entails, and the responsibility of the media as corporate watchdogs. It seems obvious that large corporations have a tendency to ignore the negative effects of their actions in favor of profit. This example, while sensationalistic, still tells me that with power comes responsibility. It affirmed my belief that a company's goal cannot just be to provide profits to shareholders, but there must also be an element of social responsibility. It also made me think about the role of the media in the business world. I think it should just be represented in this movie. Bergman relentlessly pursued the truth, using a very credible source. Too often today the media is stuffed by multinationals. The media has a responsibility to objectivity that can be important in keeping companies honest. But it's really up to the media to maintain this objectivity.