Fifty Years in Retrospect

The break-in at the Democratic National Committee's headquarters in the Watergate complex took place nearly fifty years ago, long before many current readers were born. To summarize, the burglars involved were found to be connected to President Nixon’s administration. What began as a routine burglary spiraled into a political scandal that ultimately led to Nixon’s resignation under the threat of impeachment.

The narrative cannot be told without acknowledging the pivotal role played by two young reporters from the Washington Post, Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein. They became synonymous with Watergate, inspiring journalism students like myself at the University of Oregon who aspired to make a difference and gain recognition in the process. However, this story contains an important lesson about the current dynamics of reporting on UFO/UAP phenomena.

While Woodward and Bernstein were tenacious in breaking the Watergate story, their scoop quickly attracted competitors. Once the Washington Post made the initial report, other outlets eagerly joined the fray, amplifying the voices that had originally surfaced. Particularly, the New York Times sought to be involved.

And why wouldn’t they? The scandal was rife with themes of power and corruption, featuring larger-than-life figures and significant consequences. The public was captivated not only by Nixon’s deceitful tactics but also by the influx of witnesses revealing the extent of corruption lurking beneath the surface of familiar political narratives. It was a grand drama unfolding before the public eye.

Now envision a similar scenario unfolding with the UFO/UAP narrative.

The late Stanton Friedman, a notable UFO researcher, famously referred to this situation as Cosmic Watergate. It’s unfortunate he isn’t here to witness how accurate his prediction has become. In his 2008 book, “Flying Saucers and Science,” Friedman articulated his views on the matter.

“This means that some few people within the governments of major countries have known since at least 1947 that indeed some UFOs are intelligently controlled extraterrestrial spacecraft. It certainly does not mean that everybody in government knows what is going on; secrets aren’t kept by telling everyone what’s happening and hoping nobody will talk. Secrets are controlled by an elaborate system of granting security clearances and establishing strict criteria for access via need-to-know lists.”

In essence, this represents an ideal story for investigative journalists, providing opportunities to cultivate sources, uncover secrets, and relay them to the public.

The unfolding UAP investigations are poised to become a never-ending news saga. Their impact is comparable to that of Watergate, global pandemics, contested elections, and more, all rolled into one. Journalists, especially since 2017, are increasingly feeling empowered to cover these topics in the current decade.

This is precisely what is needed. In a democracy where the truth is often scarce among those in power, the pursuit of revealing it is a noble endeavor.

Preparing for the New Battlefield

President Trump’s frequent labeling of unfavorable news as fake has complicated the push for UFO disclosure. When the President dismisses facts as falsehoods—ranging from crowd sizes to medical assessments and electoral counts—it becomes evident that the burden of proof regarding UFOs is daunting.

Nevertheless, there are encouraging signs that this burden is being addressed. Anyone observing the landscape recognizes that, despite the presence of fabrications and falsehoods surrounding UFOs over the years, the core issue is genuine.

In brief, there is a growing acknowledgment that reported UAP exhibit advanced technology that we currently do not possess, nor did we have in the late 1940s when this all began. Moreover, these incidents are not mere historical anomalies; they are being actively witnessed by military forces worldwide. Additionally, it appears that whoever is piloting these craft is showing a keen interest in nuclear armaments.

This narrative is compelling, even for those who may not delve deeply into the specifics. The reason it has not received adequate attention for decades is due to the dual forces of denial and ridicule, which created an environment where reporters who sought credibility feared being labeled as irrational.

Currently, journalists are beginning to tackle this subject, realizing that they may not face career-ending repercussions. Their editors and publishers are discovering that the public has a genuine interest in factual reporting on this matter.

The Rise of Modern UFO Reporting

The modern era of UFO reporting was catalyzed by a December 2017 New York Times article that confirmed both UAP encounters with the U.S. Navy and government investigations into these events. Reporters Ralph Blumenthal and Leslie Kean have continued to follow up, with recent articles suggesting the government might possess physical evidence from crash sites.

Could they be the new Woodward and Bernstein? I suspect they would welcome the comparison. However, they no longer monopolize the narrative. Recently, a new outlet, The Debrief, has emerged with its own fresh stories. They are not alone; original reporting has also surfaced from Politico, Popular Mechanics, Scientific American, The Drive, and many others, all contributing to the growing discourse.

Sticking to Core Principles

I haven’t always believed that journalism was equipped to handle the UFO disclosure challenge. When Richard Dolan and I co-authored A.D. After Disclosure, we described it as a “once proud and now moribund profession.”

These sentiments were voiced before journalism was jolted awake by the accusation of being "fake news" from the highest levels of government. Journalists began to cultivate sources and get to work, with diverse voices contributing to the narrative.

Now, numerous reporters are ready to apply traditional investigative journalism techniques to the UFO reality issue. This does not necessitate new methodologies; rather, it allows reporters to focus on the essence of their investigations.

• Cultivate relationships with sources at all levels.
• Utilize anonymous sources to validate stories and guide investigations.
• Aim to have as many subjects on the record as possible.
• Create momentum with regular updates.
• Establish a recognizable brand for your journalism.
• Outpace competitors in uncovering stories.
• Maintain relentless pursuit of the truth.
• Recognize that one story often leads to another.
• Repeat the process consistently.

While 2020 placed many initiatives on hold, expect to see a surge in UFO/UAP reporting in 2021.

Reflecting on A.D. After Disclosure, we pondered the potential for hope from the media:

At some point, each reporter, each investigator, must make a choice. Remain within the safe confines of the familiar, or leap into the unknown. Each leap must be taken alone, into the darkness of a new paradigm. For a seasoned journalist, who values their public reputation above all else, nothing is more daunting. Yet, some will embrace this challenge, and once the story breaks, it will ignite public interest for years. In that initial decade post-disclosure, there will be more news to cover and discuss than anyone anticipated.

Another Perspective

The key takeaway is that while it may be challenging to prompt the media to engage with a story, once they do, the focus can be intense. This is when financial resources, time, and the expertise of seasoned journalists converge on breaking the story.

The crux of the matter is truth. What are these UAP doing in our skies and seas? Where do they originate? What intentions does the intelligence behind them have towards humanity?

For decades, we have been told that if we seek the truth about UFOs, we must undertake the journey ourselves, often at the risk of our reputations. Now, a significant shift is occurring, as various media outlets—mainstream, alternative, and digital—begin to engage with this topic comprehensively.

They are entering a competitive space regarding a story that was once avoided. This evolution promises to be fascinating.

Get ready, everyone.