Undeterred by armed soldiers, evasive politicians, and riot police, journalist Amy Goodman has reported some of the most consequential stories of our time. Steal This Story, Please! is a gripping portrait of the trailblazer 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 broadcasts stories and voices routinely silenced by commercial media.

Oscar-nominated filmmakers Carl Deal and Tia Lessin (Trouble the Water, 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 news 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 surrenders to power?

“Steal This Story, Please! makes a strong case that a plurality of independent outlets and more journalists, not fewer, are vital to a healthy democracy — and that without a revitalization of the independent press, we may lose the ability to discern the truth altogether. – Alissa Wilkinson, The New York Times

“Steal This Story, Please! offers a great argument that honest, fearless coverage can happen and is happening. There are ways to get the full story. It’s out there, and what a gift it is that Amy Goodman is part of presenting it to the world.” – Leslie Combemale, Alliance of Women Film Journalists

“Goodman’s story offers a compelling reminder that smart, honest, and accurate reporting is a duty, not a business.” – Pat Mullen, POV Magazine

“Stirring… Rousing, urgent” – Lee Marshall, Screen International 

“A lot of fearless gumption, and one giant finger to the man.” – Lauren Wissot, Filmmaker Magazine

“For folks who believe no honest, well balanced coverage exists, this documentary would beg to differ.” – Leslie Combemale, Alliance of Women Film Journalists

Karen Ranucci, Producer of Steal This Movie, Please
Karen Ranucci is an Emmy Award-winning investigative reporter and videographer. She has worked in independent video and film production for the last 50 years, beginning at Downtown Community TV Center in New York. Karen worked as a freelance correspondent for the NBC Nightly News and Today Show, and in 1985 she won a National Emmy for “Best Investigative Reporting” for a series she developed about workers being poisoned in the tungsten carbide industry. She founded the Latin American Video Archives to distribute Latin American-made films and videos to the US educational market. In the days following September 11, 2001, Karen joined the Democracy Now! team, where she worked for over a decade in various positions, transforming this beloved radio program into a simultaneous radio, TV, and internet broadcast seen by millions around the globe.

Suzanne Barklay, discussion guest
As a planner, Suzanne Barclay worked in county and state government and non-profits on land use, environmental issues, and public housing issues. Since retiring from Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rockland, Suzanne has focused on addressing plastic pollution as a volunteer with Beyond Plastic and on defending our democracy as co-president of the League of Women Voters. This Administration’s daily attempts to dismantle our democracy has helped sharpen her focus.

Tina Traster, discussion moderator
Tina Traster is a socially-conscious award-winning journalist, author, and filmmaker. She is also the Editor and Publisher of a local independent news site in New York. Prior to founding Rockland County Business Journal in 2018, Traster, a 40-year industry veteran, worked for the Bergen Record (now NJ.com). She became an independent journalist in 1999, contributing to scores of newspapers and magazines, including The New York Times, The New York Post, Huffington Post, The Daily Beast, The Atlantic, The Journal News, Nyack News & Views, and more.  She is also the award-winning author of Rescuing Julia Twice and director of several documentaries including Catnip Nation, and most recently, The Story of Us.