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New Civilization News: Media Reform |
Category: Government, Public Sector 6 comments 10 Jul 2007 @ 23:21 by i2i : Looks like Rupert Murdochhas been experiencing some pushing back, too. Sierra Club is launching some kind of a civic action sort of a thing under the form of a petition to Home Depot (and possibly other advertisers too) demanding in essence that they stop advertising on Fox, on the ground that the network "consistently spreads misinformation about and denies the existence of global warming" in an unfair and unbalance kind of a way. And they have a video to make their case too: {link:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnt3FWToSWs|youtube video}. 11 Jul 2007 @ 00:02 by Hanae @69.33.46.10 : Freedom of Expression Tough call, and a touching issue, there, to be sure. Rupert Murdoch or Fox have, in my opinion, every right, I suppose, to deny "the existence of global warming" if they so choose, the question is one of volume and the drowning out (and/or smearing) of all other voices. And "disinformation" is certainly a serious issue, let alone the fact that there would also be something there to be said about the obvious one-sidedness of a network who prides itself in its being "fair and balanced." The interesting thing to me is that despite it all the Fox network is doing rather well, indeed. As a matter of facts, one of those flat screen TV has recently appeared above the counter at the diner next door to me and Fox is the only thing that those folks ever show - and I don't even live in a red sate. So, maybe, there is something there. Is Fox really "disinforming" people, or is the network telling people what it is that they really want to hear? 11 Jul 2007 @ 00:29 by i2i : Disinformation Disinformation is the deliberate dissemination of false information. I don't think it is relevant whether it does support or not what people "want to believe," it is still disinformation. If the "disinformation" supports what people "want to believe," however, it does also bear another name, in that case it's called demagoguery: a political strategy for obtaining and gaining popularity and influence by appealing to the popular prejudices, fears and expectations of the public — typically via impassioned rhetoric and propaganda, and often using nationalist or populist themes. 11 Jul 2007 @ 01:14 by Hanae @69.33.46.10 : ASNE Statement of Principles ASNE's Statement of Principles was originally adopted in 1922 as the "Canons of Journalism." The document was revised and renamed "Statement of Principles" in 1975. PREAMBLE. The First Amendment, protecting freedom of expression from abridgment by any law, guarantees to the people through their press a constitutional right, and thereby places on newspaper people a particular responsibility. Thus journalism demands of its practitioners not only industry and knowledge but also the pursuit of a standard of integrity proportionate to the journalist's singular obligation. To this end the American Society of Newspaper Editors sets forth this Statement of Principles as a standard encouraging the highest ethical and professional performance. I - RESPONSIBILITY: The primary purpose of gathering and distributing news and opinion is to serve the general welfare by informing the people and enabling them to make judgments on the issues of the time. Newspapermen and women who abuse the power of their professional role for selfish motives or unworthy purposes are faithless to that public trust. The American press was made free not just to inform or just to serve as a forum for debate but also to bring an independent scrutiny to bear on the forces of power in the society, including the conduct of official power at all levels of government. II - FREEDOM OF THE PRESS: Freedom of the press belongs to the people. It must be defended against encroachment or assault from any quarter, public or private. Journalists must be constantly alert to see that the public's business is conducted in public. They must be vigilant against all who would exploit the press for selfish purposes. III - INDEPENDENCE: Journalists must avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety as well as any conflict of interest or the appearance of conflict. They should neither accept anything nor pursue any activity that might compromise or seem to compromise their integrity. IV - TRUTH AND ACCURACY: Good faith with the reader is the foundation of good journalism. Every effort must be made to assure that the news content is accurate, free from bias and in context, and that all sides are presented fairly. Editorials, analytical articles and commentary should be held to the same standards of accuracy with respect to facts as news reports. Significant errors of fact, as well as errors of omission, should be corrected promptly and prominently. V - IMPARTIALITY: To be impartial does not require the press to be unquestioning or to refrain from editorial expression. Sound practice, however, demands a clear distinction for the reader between news reports and opinion. Articles that contain opinion or personal interpretation should be clearly identified. VI - FAIR PLAY: Journalists should respect the rights of people involved in the news, observe the common standards of decency and stand accountable to the public for the fairness and accuracy of their news reports. Persons publicly accused should be given the earliest opportunity to respond. Pledges of confidentiality to news sources must be honored at all costs, and therefore should not be given lightly. Unless there is clear and pressing need to maintain confidences, sources of information should be identified. These principles are intended to preserve, protect and strengthen the bond of trust and respect between American journalists and the American people, a bond that is essential to sustain the grant of freedom entrusted to both by the nation's founders. |
10 Jul 2007 @ 00:38, by Unknown