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Amy Goodman just released a powerful new documentary hitting theaters this week. The film celebrates 30 years of groundbreaking journalism at Democracy Now! Discover the extraordinary story behind one of America’s most fearless news voices.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Film Title: “Steal This Story, Please!” opens at 80+ art house theaters nationwide
- Directors: Carl Deal and Tia Lessin, Oscar-nominated filmmakers known for “Trouble the Water”
- Producers: Executive producers include Jane Fonda, Rosario Dawson, and musician Tom Morello
- Legacy: Marks 30 years since Amy Goodman co-founded Democracy Now! in 1996
A Documentary About Independent Journalism’s Most Fearless Voice
“Steal This Story, Please!” chronicles the remarkable career of Amy Goodman, who launched Democracy Now! as the only daily election show in public broadcasting. The documentary grants rare behind-the-scenes access to her newsroom, capturing her unrelenting pursuit of truth. The film opened Friday, April 10 at New York City’s IFC Center with multiple Q&A sessions featuring Amy Goodman, Carl Deal, and Tia Lessin.
From covering the 9/11 attacks to confronting presidents and corporate leaders, Amy Goodman has built Democracy Now! into a network reaching 1,500 public television and radio stations globally. The documentary reveals how independent journalism operates without corporate sponsorship or government control.
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Amy Goodman celebrates 30 years of Democracy Now in new doc, hitting theaters this week
A Film Festival Darling With Star Power Behind It
The documentary has already won over a dozen audience awards and jury prizes at major film festivals. Executive producers Jane Fonda, Rosario Dawson, and rock icon Tom Morello lend their star power to the project. Co-director Tia Lessin won three Emmy Awards for her previous film “The Janes.” Directors Carl Deal and Tia Lessin previously collaborated on the acclaimed documentary “Citizen Koch.”
This is a nonprofit distribution effort, with the filmmakers bypassing traditional corporate channels. Major streaming platforms controlled by corporate owners have rejected the film, making its theatrical release even more significant for independent cinema advocates.
What Makes This Documentary Essential Right Now
| Detail | Information |
| Release Date | April 10, 2026 (Theatrical) |
| Platform | 80+ Art House Theaters Nationwide |
| Directors | Carl Deal, Tia Lessin |
| Executive Producers | Jane Fonda, Rosario Dawson, Tom Morello |
The film arrives during a critical moment for press freedom in America. Media consolidation accelerated after 1996 when Congress passed the Telecommunications Act, concentrating ownership in fewer hands. Amy Goodman and Democracy Now! remain accountable only to listeners, never to corporate sponsors. The documentary argues passionately that independent journalism operates as the “oxygen of democracy,” contrasting sharply with mainstream corporate media.
“People want to see and read and hear content that speaks to this grave political moment, and this film does just that.”
— Tia Lessin, Co-Director
A Fearless Journalist’s Most Dangerous Moments
The documentary captures Amy Goodman’s most harrowing experiences, including coverage of the 1991 East Timor massacre where she and fellow journalist Allan Nairn witnessed military violence firsthand. The film reveals how she’s always zeroed in on powerful targets, asking questions no other journalist dares ask. From Bill Clinton on election night to soldiers and corporate executives, Amy Goodman pursues truth relentlessly.
Her approach stems from her Jewish upbringing, which emphasized asking difficult questions. The documentary follows her team at Democracy Now!, including co-hosts Juan González and Nermeen Shaikh, as they report from conflict zones globally. The film spotlights stories deliberately silenced by mainstream outlets.
Where Can You Watch This 30-Year Celebration?
“Steal This Story, Please!” expands to 80+ theaters nationwide through nonprofit distribution. Initial screenings at New York’s IFC Center featured star-studded Q&A sessions with directors Carl Deal and Tia Lessin alongside Amy Goodman herself. Additional cities begin screenings this week, with San Francisco opening April 17 at the Roxie Theater. Activists and filmmakers are organizing special screenings and community events nationwide. Visit the official website for your nearest art house theater showing this unmissable documentary that celebrates independent journalism’s most iconic voice.
Sources
- Democracy Now! – Official announcement and interview with directors Carl Deal and Tia Lessin
- NBC New York – Documentary premiere coverage and Amy Goodman in-person screening details
- IFC Center – Theatrical release information and upcoming Q&A events
