Filmed over four years in East Timor, Australia’s most misunderstood neighbour, director Nicholas Hansen brings us a cautionary tale about journalism in an age of spin and spectacle. Breaking the News follows Jose’s journey from resistance fighter during the Indonesian occupation filming combat with the guerrillas, to director of the most successful newspaper in East Timor. The film brings into sharp focus the conflicting demands of democracy, ethical reporting and the production of news media, highlighting the difference between the news we witness in our lounge rooms every night and the plight of struggling journalists in the young nations of our region.