Truth and the Media Theme Analysis

In An Enemy of the People, a small-town doctor attempts to warn the public about water contamination in a newly constructed health spa through the People’s Messenger, the town’s liberal newspaper. Dr. Stockmann is at first close to the Messenger’s editors, Hovstad and Billing, and views the newspaper as a beacon of transparency and progress in his traditional town. It’s soon clear that this belief is mistaken, however—Hovstad and Billing slant all their coverage to encourage the public to adopt their convictions, but they’re also incapable of sticking to those convictions in times of crisis, because they depend on public opinion for their livelihood. By the end of the play, as Hovstad and Billing openly discuss their intention to manipulate the truth for their own ends, the Messenger emerges a source (rather than a cure) for the town’s corruption. Ultimately, Ibsen sharply critiques the media, arguing that its own self-interest and dependence on public opinion prevent it from being a vehicle for truth and social progress.

Initially, the newspaper seems to be a liberal voice advocating for an egalitarian and transparent government.. As the play opens, Hovstad and Billing gather at Dr. Stockmann’s house to talk about politics and progress. When Dr. Stockmann’s brother Peter drops in, he’s displeased to see them; that they’ve earned the disapproval of the pompous and stodgy mayor seems to be in their favor. When Dr. Stockmann reveals his scientific discovery to the newspapermen, they immediately offer to publish it. Hovstad even makes the connection between the contaminated water and the larger problem of town elites making decisions without consideration for public health.

But in private, Hovstad and Billing’s conversations tells a different story. Both men rejoice that the upcoming story will give the Liberal party a political boost. They’re more interested in making a political ploy than bringing important information to the public or presenting an impartial view of current events. Both Hovstad and Billing see themselves as more courageous and freethinking than the newspaper’s publisher, Mr. Aslaksen, an excessively prudent man who prides himself on his “moderation” and respect for the authorities. Yet, because Mr. Aslaksen supports the paper financially, they’re obligated to represent his views. This is a glimpse at one of the many factors besides genuine concern for the truth at play in the paper. Moreover, when Hovstad and Billing take issue with Mr. Aslaksen’s views, the publisher reminds them that the newspaper’s previous editor now works for the government and points out that Billing himself is applying for a government job. Ironically, it’s one of the town’s more conservative citizens who reminds the newspapermen that they’re hardly the truth-telling radicals they purport to be.

As the play progresses, it emerges that Hovstad and Billing frequently use the newspaper to manipulate the truth, and even to craft new versions of it altogether. Petra is the first to catch them in the act. They’ve asked her to translate an English novel for serial publication in the paper, but once she reads the novel, she’s disgusted that it gives a sentimental and moralizing view of life—one which, she points out, “conflicts” with all the political opinions expressed in the paper. Hovstad explains that the unrealistic stories are necessary to draw in readers, but Petra is disturbed that the newspaper resorts to tricks, and her discovery undermines the reader or audience’s faith in its good intentions.

Proving Petra correct in her disapproval, as soon as Peter Stockmann reveals his plan to pay for repairs to the baths by taxing the townspeople, Hovstad and Billing abandon their plans to support the doctor. They print Peter’s version of the facts instead, choosing to misrepresent the truth in order to retain their readership. Unlike their previous, smaller falsehoods, this lie doesn’t even aim to further a political goal, but rather to ensure the success the newspaper and its editors personally. By the time Dr. Stockmann calls his public meeting, Hovstad and Billing have unequivocally taken the mayor’s side and inflame the crowd by falsely characterizing Dr. Stockmann as an insane radical.

Soon after the meeting, Hovstad and Billing form the mistaken impression that Dr. Stockmann and his father-in-law, Morten Kiil, have made up the water contamination in order to undermine confidence in the baths and buy stocks cheaply. Believing Dr. Stockmann to be in control of the baths, the newspapermen openly offer to fabricate a new version of recent events that will restore his reputation and prominence—in exchange for ignoring the very real problems with the baths. At this point, Dr. Stockmann and the reader/audience realize that the newspaper is the antithesis of truth, working to exacerbate social problems rather than solve them.

Ibsen uses this scenario to argue that, because they are influenced by so many self-interested parties and their own financial needs, the media (particularly newspapers) cannot be effective stewards of truth. Every disingenuous decision Hovstad and Billing make is prompted by the necessity of placating someone who might hurt the newspaper. The newspapermen have to keep the support of the elites: they accommodate Aslaksen because of his financial contributions, and they can’t take a stand against Peter Stockmann because he controls the town’s political scene. On the other hand, they can’t afford to alienate the base of readers who buy the paper, so it’s impossible for them to contradict public opinion. In fact, the media reflects the general state of affairs in the town. Majority opinion and elite interests have too much sway in determining its coverage, just as they control local politics and government.

While the People’s Messenger initially appears to be an idealistic force for good, by the end of the play it’s revealed as a control-seeking vendor of lies. Ultimately, the play suggests that newspapers are too self-interested and entrenched in their communities to critique them impartially or successfully.