If you aren’t watching the documentary series The Fourth Estate right now, stream it and catch up, even if you need that 30-day, free Showtime trial to do it.

The first of four episodes of Liz Garbus’s documentary series started May 27 (I’m watching it as I write) and presents in observational style how The New York Times covers Donald Trump amid his charges of “fake news.”

The series opens on January 20, 2017 with reporters and editors of The New York Times watching the inauguration and discussing how to cover President Trump’s speech.

This inside look at the process of reporting–the endless phone calls, the conferences, the research, and the many conversations that inform the writing–is fascinating.

More importantly, it is instructive.

I can’t think of a more effective counter to the shrill charges of “fake news” than this behind-the-scenes- look at the measured, if dogged, work that takes place to try to get each story right.

The Fourth Estate is a vivid reminder of why I have limited my television news habit in the age of Trump, even as I have maintained my daily does of The New York Times and The Washington Post and have supplemented them with forays into other papers.

It’s about the pace and the tone for me.

Reading the papers makes me the producer of my own, personal newscast. I can control the line-up of stories, the order, and how much time I allot to each one instead of being captive to the choices of network producers.

I am able to stay informed without the repetition, the sensationalism, and the histrionics of compromised commentators.

Thank you to the journalists who are working so hard every day to bring us the news and to preserve democracy by casting a light on secrets that should not be kept.

Our way of life depends on it.