The article in Vanity Fair about the unmasking of “Deep Throat” is indeed interesting reading (pdf). A good follow up is this post from Jay Rosen regarding the Watergate scandal and how it affects the common view on the role of journalism in society.
It is the great redemptive tale believers learn to tell about the press and what it can do for the American people. It is a story of national salvation: truth their only weapon, journalists save the day.