The film “Spotlight” directed by Tom McCarthy and Josh Singer is about a small group named spotlight working for a newspaper company, The Boston Globe, investigating a case about child molestation within the catholic churches in the Boston area. In this film, communication in the workplace plays a huge part of the team being able to release this story. By being interdependent, cohesive, and enforcing the rules and norms, this group of journalist was able to expose the 89 priest they found responsible for molesting the young children.
While watching this film I noticed the way this team worked so well together in getting all the information they needed to expose the priests. I actually was waiting for some type of disagreement. “Interdependence doesn’t necessarily mean that each member’s influence on all other members is always positive.(p.209)” When the group finally got a break through to run their story, Mike and Robby went back and forth on whether or not they should wait on the story. The people in the group getting along or disagreeing both affect the whole team positively and negatively. Therefore, “small groups are interdependent. (p.209)”
The Journalists worked diligently to ensure they would be able to lift the seal on the documents that would expose the priest. Mike spoke to Mr. Garabedian, Matt found information on other priest, Sasha spoke to different victims and Ben looked into Cardinal Law. Everyone knew and followed through with their specific task. “Task cohesion is high when all the group members know their specific task and follow through on them. (p.210)” They also show social cohesion as they have positive regard for one another. For the most part, they trusted and listened to one another therefore, proving that “small groups are cohesive. (P.210)”
When the journalists first began researching information for their story and had to talk to different people, they had to move quietly. During the process there were rules and norms everyone were required to follow. “Small groups inforce rules and norms. (p. 210)” Some examples are sharing information when discovering it and not hiding information for themselves to present to their editor. The team was able to pick their stories and the team respecting the privacy of sources. Although these rules were bent at some point, it was enforced throughout the company. “Rules and norms focus on the nature of the group mission. (p. 212)”
The spotlight team was able to accomplish their goal and file a motion against the church. By being interdependent, cohesive, and enforcing the rules and norms, this group of journalists was able to expose the 89 priests they found responsible for molesting the young children. Communication in the workplace plays a huge part of the team being able to release this story and this team did an almost perfect job at working in harmony. If they hadn’t gotten along, hadn’t been on the same page, and respecting each other’s position on the team then 89 priests would have gotten away with their acts of molestation to countless children in Boston and possibly still be molesting more children today.
Claribel Navarrete
