1974, President Nixon is implicated in the break in and the bugging of his political rivals headquarters.

1974年 尼克松总统牵涉到闯入其政敌总部并安装窃听设备的事件中

He's accused of covering up the crime.

他被指控掩盖罪行

Congress starts an impeachment process

国会启动了弹劾程序

which transmits live on television.

电视对此进行了现场直播

Holders of the highest offices in the land are subjected to a grilling watched by millions.

国家的最高首脑面对着数百万观众接受质询

The Nixon administration hits the TV age and losses,

尼克松政府因遭逢电视时代而一败涂地

There had been scandals previously in American history,

尽管在之前的美国历史中也存在着丑闻

but none that unfolded on television,

但却从未像水门事件这样

with the immediacy of the Watergate Scandal.

在电视上迅速曝光

What was revealed by the Watergate Scandal was a level of internal corruption,

水门丑闻所表现的官场腐败程度

a level of deception and a real violation of American democracy

欺骗程度与对美国民主的亵渎

that even critics of the American government up to that point simply hadn't imagined.

当时就连美国政论家都绝对想象不到

It was the last nail in the coffin you might say of,

对于大多数人而言

for many, many people of Americans confidence in their own society.

这是压垮公众信念的最后一根稻草

I shall resign the presidency effective at noon tomorrow.

我将在明天中午辞去总统之职

The only president ever to resign the office.

史上唯一一位在任上辞职的总统

His speech watched live by 85% of all American households.

85%的美国家庭通过电视直播收看其辞职演说

Freedom of the press and TV showing their true power.

媒体与电视的自由显示了其真正的力量

I mean, the power of Watergate is saying

媒体在水门事件中的力量表明

you need a free press.

我们需要自由媒体

Because there are some things that you will not learn

如果没有自由的媒体

if you do not have a free press.

那么有些事情我们将永远不得而知

While television proves the downfall of one President,

电视见证了一位总统的下台

throws America into crisis,

将美国推向危机

another will learn to use this new technology

然而另一位总统将学会利用它

to rebuild American confidence and usher in a new era.

重塑美国人的信心 将美国带入新纪元