The Insider

In Lebanon, producer Lowell Bergman is guided by Hezbollah militants to meet Sheikh Fadlallah, the founder of Hezbollah. During this critical encounter, Bergman successfully persuades Sheikh Fadlallah to agree to an interview with Mike Wallace for CBS's *60 Minutes* program.

In Louisville, Kentucky, Jeffrey Wigand is seen packing his belongings after being let go from his position at Brown and Williamson. When he returns home, he reveals to his wife Liane that he lost his job that very morning, adding to the stress of their family life.

Back in Berkeley, California, Bergman receives an anonymous package containing crucial documents related to tobacco giant Philip Morris. Realizing their importance, he contacts a friend at the FDA for help and is directed to Wigand, who reluctantly agrees to meet him.

Wigand meets Bergman at the Seelbach Hotel in Louisville, where he agrees to translate tobacco documents for him. However, he firmly states that he cannot share any further information due to a confidentiality agreement with his former employer.

After their meeting, Wigand is pressured by Brown and Williamson’s CEO, Thomas Sandefur. Sandefur threatens legal action and demands Wigand signs an expanded confidentiality agreement, showcasing the immense pressure put on him to remain silent.

Bergman visits Wigand at home, assuring him that he hasn’t disclosed their conversation to anyone at Brown and Williamson. This meeting allows Wigand to open up about the tobacco CEOs lying before Congress, underscoring the implications of his potential testimony.

At CBS headquarters in New York City, Bergman discusses Wigand’s situation with Mike Wallace. They confront legal issues regarding Wigand's confidentiality agreement and the challenges posed by Big Tobacco’s resources, making them consider the risks involved in broadcasting his story.

As Wigand's family moves to a more affordable home, he begins to experience paranoia after finding a suspicious shoe print in his garden. This incident heightens his fears regarding the potential threats against him and his family.

Feeling the escalating danger, Wigand reaches out to the FBI for protection after discovering a bullet in his mailbox. However, his mental state is questioned, and they confiscate his computer, adding to his frustrations and feelings of vulnerability.

In a pivotal moment during his interview with Wallace, Wigand reveals how Brown and Williamson manipulated nicotine levels to enhance absorption and increase addiction. His candid disclosure marks a significant risk in exposing the deceit of the tobacco industry.

Wigand receives a restraining order from Kentucky, prohibiting him from testifying due to legal maneuvers by Brown and Williamson. Although this order is eventually nullified in Mississippi, the pressure of potential imprisonment weighs heavily on him as he prepares to testify.

Bergman attends a critical meeting with CBS Corporate regarding Wigand's upcoming interview. Faced with the possibility of significant legal repercussions, corporate executives push for edits to the interview, but Bergman passionately defends the need for unaltered truth.

In retaliation for Wigand’s revelations, Big Tobacco initiates a smear campaign to discredit him. They uncover personal details and create a damaging dossier, prompting Bergman to work with the media to counter the false narratives being circulated.

Ultimately, *60 Minutes* airs the full, unedited interview with Wigand. This courageous decision comes at a great cost to Bergman, who later confides in Wallace about his resignation, declaring the harm done to the network's legacy irreparable.

Following the broadcast, a series of title cards reveal the aftermath, including the $246 billion settlement reached with Big Tobacco. Additionally, it highlights Wigand's achievements as a dedicated teacher and Bergman's new role at PBS's *Frontline*.