Releasing Detainee Photos

The Supreme Court overturned a ruling that required the government to release pictures showing the abuse of prisoners in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Supreme court sent the case back down to the 2nd Circuit of the Court of Appeals in New York, in light of a new law that allows the secretary of defense to exempt certain photos from disclosure.

The Obama administration is concerned with inciting anti-American sentiment and is clearly working to create a new image abroad. But does this create enough of a danger to block the release of the pictures?

There are issues of freedom of information, but we are given vivid descriptions of what the pictures involve. Does the public really need to see these images? I question the value that the release of these pictures can have now. Isn't this just trying to sensationalize something that this administration had nothing to do with?

Hartford Courant Sued for Plagiarism

I thought I would post this link since it hits pretty close to home. i.e. Connecticut. But I also think it further confirms what we have been saying all semester: something needs to change in the news industry and how its reported. The lack of credibility in print right now does not help the fight for a future containing print newspapers. And overall, across all media, the future of the quality of news we receive is looking bleak.

Suit Accuses Hartford Courant of Plagiarism

Criminal journalists and their status...

We have come to learn in a number of lectures that some reporters embellish or even invent stories in order to better their career. Acting in this manner is unquestionably a betrayal of trust and a criminal act. It seems there is trend in glorifying such “former journalists” such as Stephan Glass, whose life as a crooked journalist was made into a sympathising film “shattered glass”

Below is a link to an article pertaining to the former New York Times journalist Jayson Blair. Washington & Lee University in Virginia invited Blair to speak about journalism. What are other people’s thoughts about letting former journalists like these speak at conferences and furthermore make films about their lives?

http://www.kansascity.com/273/story/1555673.html

Small Town Coverage

It was very interesting to hear the perspective of a small town newspaper contributor in the 11/18 lecture. I think the public involvement and feedback related to coverage in their local papers is much more intense than response to say coverage in the Boston Globe. Somehow, the editorial teams seem more accessible to the lay person. Would you agree that this is the perception?

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MSNBC uses fake Sarah Palin Photos on Air

Will they Apologize? I think Jon Stewart has a point, MSNBC is actually becoming akin to Fox, and this proves it.

Update: They did apologize, somewhat. This is the link to their apology

Why does it take someone like Stewart to point out these mistakes, first Fox, then CNN, and now MSNBC. What can we trust anymore?

Jon Stewart rips apart CNN for not fact checking.

Daily Show destroys CNN for fact checking SNL but not their own guests.

This article is pretty self explanatory. CNN was more concerned about what SNL was doing and then wound up dropping the ball on themselves. Where does this leave CNN?

Fort Hood Massacre opinion racist? Or right?

Forbes.com columnist and professor at NYU's Stern School of Business Tunku Varadarajan, wrote a column 'Going Muslim' about the Fort Hood massacre, "which, he noted, appears to have been a religiously motivated "act of messianic violence." According to a response in the Wall Street Journal, NYU's Muslim alumni and students thought the column by Varadarajan was offensive and inflammatory.

Varadarajan claimed that Americas openness to diversity could be a strength and weakness since it can become detrimental if we remain welcoming to people of all culture and ethnicities. Therefore Americans should examine Muslims risk profiles further, since we might be deceived by people preparing to commit terrorism and murder. Like the Ford Hood Massacre incident where the perpetrator suddenly showed disturbing signs such as giving away his possessions and discretely built his trail to terrorism. I am personally against racism because I believe human beings deserve to be treated equally. Although I agree with Varadarajan's argument in his Forbes Column 'Going Muslim', I think he could have shared his opinion in a more sensitive manor which did not emphasize as much conflict amongst Americans and Muslims. Do you think the column in 'Going Muslim' is racist? Or right?

Also several people claim opinion columns are not news, I believe that columnists and journalists should adhere to the same level of integrity. As well as taking an equal amount of discretion while developing stories or opinions. For example Muslim students perceived the column 'Going Muslim' as offensive and they're also a human race, since a Muslim perpetrated the Fort Hood Massacre is this column okay? Regardless, do you think the same set of ethics should be applied toward news stories and opinion columns? Are columnists really entitled to their own opinions or would it cause too much ethics dilemma?