Steal This Story, Please!

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Steal This Story, Please!

Apr 2026

1h 38m

Documentary

Biography

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

31 Reviews

Popcornmeter

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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Critics Consensus

With its compelling portrait of Amy Goodman's relentless commitment to reporting from the perspective of ordinary people, Steal This Story, Please! makes an urgent case for independent journalism as a necessity for a healthy democracy.

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Danny Leigh

Financial Times

Aug 13, 2026

4/5

...modern times give the film extra relevance...

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Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

Aug 12, 2026

4/5

This documentary from Carl Deal and Tia Lessin is a portrait of Goodman and her life and times. The title is her somewhat ironic mantra: please, everybody, by all means steal our stories about corruption and demagoguery.

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Zachary Lee

RogerEbert.com

May 10, 2026

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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Clement Tyler Obropta

Ithaca Times

Aug 29, 2026

Perhaps the best journalism film since Spotlight.

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Monique Jones

AWFJ.org

Aug 11, 2026

Goodman’s commitment to humanizing the subjects of her stories exemplifies how one person can make a difference by using their voice to inspire others to stand up for what’s right in the world.

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Andrew Parker

The Gate

Jul 12, 2026

6/10

It’s a tried and true documentary template employed with few stylistic or editorial surprises, but the film accomplishes its main goal which is to show why Goodman’s work matters now more than ever.

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Jill

Jun 13, 2026

I've been a viewer of Democracy Now for years but hadn't known the details of its beginning. It was also interesting to learn the personal details of Amy Goodman's early years and the intimate view of her family relationships. I very much enjoyed the movie, as did the two people who accompanied me.

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Justin

May 31, 2026

Required viewing for journalist, or really anyone.

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Leo F

May 30, 2026

An extraordinary profile of one person's commitment to the truth.

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Mark

May 9, 2026

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

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Aaron J

Apr 29, 2026

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

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Suzanne

Apr 27, 2026

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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Carl Deal

Director

Tia Lessin

Director

Juan Gonzalez

Self

Amy Goodman

Self

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Self

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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

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