important in somebody's life.

Because that's where you get the truth.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

In this era, most people are skeptical,

distrustful of the news media.

Everyone is a journalist.

You gather information, verify it, and communicate it.

Everyone has their own version of the truth.

But there are facts.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

What I'm going to teach in this class

is the importance of human sources.

No one ever gives you the full story.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

Often, it's a mix of truth and untruth.

The job is to go verify.

"I shall resign the presidency, effective at noon tomorrow."

The President of the United States is not above the law.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

The human source is the savior of journalism.

In this MasterClass, I'm going to teach you research,

investigating, how to gather information,

how to interview people, and how to find the story

and build the story.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

The purpose of an interview is not gotcha, is not to catch.

I have a little technique of sticking

this finger over my little finger,

jamming it down so it hurts, and it's a reminder to shut up.

And just listen.

Let the silence suck out the truth.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

This is a time we're being tested.

Let's tell the truth.

Let's not be chickens**** about this.

Break the rules- not the law, but the rules.

This is the final exam for democracy.

I'm Bob Woodward, and this is my MasterClass.