Coulthart criticizes the White House press corps regarding their handling of drone disclosures, stating, “I can’t comprehend what that lazy, complacent group of journalists is doing all day. They have the biggest story handed to them, yet they remain silent.” He questions the press’s lack of scrutiny and wonders if the upcoming documentary “Age of Disclosure” will prompt change.
At Timestamp 37:08, Coulthart explains, “As a journalist, I’m trained to spot inconsistencies in official statements. Here’s a significant one: back in December, the FAA declared these drones unauthorized, with no knowledge of their origin and noted their potential threats to national security and public safety. That’s what they testified to Congress.”
He continues, “Fast forward a month, and the Trump Administration makes a brief announcement claiming these drones are authorized FAA research drones and serve other purposes.”
Coulthart expresses his frustration: “I nearly threw something at the TV when I heard that. Not a single journalist from the White House press corps, that lazy and complacent collection of individuals, bothered to question this. They just sit there as if the enormous story isn’t staring them in the face.”
He challenges the press: “All it would have taken is one reporter to say, ‘Wait a second—didn’t the FAA say these drones were unauthorized? Did they lie under oath? What’s really going on here? How are they considered research drones?’ It’s astonishing that there was no curiosity from the White House press corps.”
Why is the press so absent? Could the “Age of Disclosure” documentary change this?
For those unfamiliar, this documentary debuts this weekend at the South by Southwest Film Festival (SXSW): https://schedule.sxsw.com/2025/films/2206293
Check out the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkU7ZqbADRs
Coulthart’s frustration with the White House press corps highlights a prevalent issue in journalism today: the lack of rigorous scrutiny and critical questioning, especially regarding matters of national significance. The drones, which have raised concerns about national and public safety, deserved more investigative attention than they received. Instead of asking tough questions, many journalists seem to fall into a comfort zone, which could undermine their role as watchdogs.
As for the “Age of Disclosure” documentary, it has the potential to spark renewed interest and discourse around topics that are often sidelined or dismissed. Documentaries can serve as catalysts for conversations and may inspire viewers to question the status quo. However, whether it can meaningfully change the landscape of press inquiry remains to be seen. If it echoes the sentiments of voices like Coulthart’s and raises awareness, it could encourage journalists to adopt a more inquisitive mindset. Ultimately, a collective public demand for accountability and thorough reporting is vital in pushing the press to rise above complacency.
It will be interesting to see how the documentary is received and whether it can impact the dynamics within the media. Are you planning to check it out?