journalism bias

[Dobick]

I am taking most of my info and basing this discussion on the Society of Professional Journalism's Code of ethics to be found Society of Professional Journalists: Code of Ethics

My question, and the topic of discussion that I would like to get opinions on is the idea of advocacy in journalism.

The recent events in Haiti and the 24 hour coverage from CNN got me to thinking, "Can we trust the information to be accurate and not exaggerated?"

Let me state for the record that I think that the coverage is not exaggerated, but how do we know?

The broader question:

Should news organizations be allowed to advocate for a cause that they believe in?

The code of ethics state that deliberate distortion is never permissible, but is advocacy not a form of distortion through bias?

also: The code of ethics

It is not — nor can it be under the First Amendment — legally enforceable.

So with that in mind, if an entire news organization decides to abandon all adherence to the code of ethics, what recourse is there?

[sldi]

There is a point at which news reportage crosses the line into editorialism. As long as the public can distinguish which is which is one thing, but when that news organization intentionally blurs that line problems arise. From a personal point of view, it is worrisome to me that one "news" organization is loading up its arsenal of "contributors" with a one sided viewpoint and claiming to be "fair and balanced". Former and current politicians from one party completely dominating there coverage, including one "contributor" once charged and found guilty of selling arms to our enemy.

[Dobick]

I want to be certain that I am not wanting this discussion to head into a political one. There are many many many newsworthy items that do not fall into the realm of politics, so this issue transcends that exponentially.

[PIC]

Originally Posted by Dobick

... "Can we trust the information to be accurate and not exaggerated?"

Let me state for the record that I think that the coverage is not exaggerated, but how do we know?

The broader question:

Should news organizations be allowed to advocate for a cause that they believe in?

The code of ethics state that deliberate distortion is never permissible, but is advocacy not a form of distortion through bias?

also: The code of ethics

So with that in mind, if an entire news organization decides to abandon all adherence to the code of ethics, what recourse is there?

The bias you refer to is often directed by the source ...
Goverments, including USA, are products of public perception.
They promote their own cause no matter what.
So do companies, charitable orgs, court cases.
Remember how news reported thousands of N. Vietnam killed in that war.
The numbers were way false and given to news by US defense dept while they got their ass kicked in this un popular war.
It is also the case for other wars - including the current ones.
So is also the case for religons, political, and many other groups.
Save the Whales, China, etc. etc.
Its rampant in this world and downright lying. Promote your cause to the max.

But news also takes part - its just more fuel for the bias fire.
See the history of Randolph Hearst and how he tried to control politics and public perception thru direct and in direct means.
Include Puck {Hearst Political Cartoons}. You will find this hisory of of over a hundred years to be interesting and most relevant today.

Sorry but it is politics and profits profits profits. HooRay for my side and often news take sides or are in it to make profits.
The first reason to publish a story is to sell the story.
Any first year PJ student knows that.

Recourse ??? Let me know if you find ...

[venchka]

Reporters hang out close to running water, food, beds, etc. They show what they see in a very limited radius from their comfort zone. It was true in New Orleans. It's true in Port au Prince. The finger pointing has already started. The US military-State Department-USAID can't seem to get things sorted out.

Apparently the Dominican Republic is doing all they can. They "don't get no respect."

Did anyone spot the shiny new Leica M9 around the neck of a TV reporter in Haiti?

[venchka]

Journalistic bias in my own backyard.

The headline:

Neighborhood advised to kill 400 deer, residents react

The story:

Neighborhood advised to kill 400 deer, residents react - KLTV 7 News Tyler, Longview, Jacksonville |

I'll be back with the rest of story after y'all digest the information above.

[ronocnikral]

pets don't roam around in other people's property causing destruction.

i'll take a few back strips if you get your hands on any...

[jeffro20]

Originally Posted by venchka

Reporters hang out close to running water, food, beds, etc. They show what they see in a very limited radius from their comfort zone. It was true in New Orleans. It's true in Port au Prince. The finger pointing has already started. The US military-State Department-USAID can't seem to get things sorted out.

Apparently the Dominican Republic is doing all they can. They "don't get no respect."

Did anyone spot the shiny new Leica M9 around the neck of a TV reporter in Haiti?

My question ......why did NBC see the need to send Al Rokka (sp) down to the island? Goodness, will us Americans get a thrill from seeing him do the weather with the disaster zone in the background?

I thought that decision by NBC was just stupid. Spend the money on manpower than can truly make a difference.

[Dobick]

Originally Posted by jeffro20

My question ......why did NBC see the need to send Al Rokka (sp) down to the island? Goodness, will us Americans get a thrill from seeing him do the weather with the disaster zone in the background?

I thought that decision by NBC was just stupid. Spend the money on manpower than can truly make a difference.

I am truly torn on this issue, as I believe that if there ever was a cause for advocacy, this Haiti tragedy is one of them. The advocacy seems to be getting mixed in with the news reporting though.

Wayne -- can't wait to hear the rest of the story...

Texas Parks and Wildlife have some of the smartest SOB's on the planet as far as maintaining a healthy ecosystem, so if they say 400 does need to be eliminated then 400 does probably need to be eliminated.

[toverman]

Sometimes simply reporting on a story can be a form of advocacy. It gives stories credibility, attention and can spark others to action. Obviously, the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti is something reported on quickly and widely – deservedly so. In the case of tragedies like this, mere reportage won't bleed into advocacy until the tragedy becomes buried news, all but forgotten by those of us not directly affected.

My take is that news organizations have an obligation to keep their hands as clean as possible when covering the news. Do they? I don't know for sure. As a former reporter, there were activities I was discouraged from taking part in (obvious political campaigning and the like). Gets harder to do when human lives are at stake. One reason I'm now a former reporter.

[jeffkohn]

Originally Posted by venchka

Journalistic bias in my own backyard.

The headline:



The story:

Neighborhood advised to kill 400 deer, residents react - KLTV 7 News Tyler, Longview, Jacksonville |

I'll be back with the rest of story after y'all digest the information above.

Maybe the folks who don't want them hunted and killed because "they were here first" would be OK with re-introducing some of the natural predators to the area that used to keep the deer population under control, such as black bears and cougars.

[Jeff_Green]

Originally Posted by sldi

There is a point at which news reportage crosses the line into editorialism. As long as the public can distinguish which is which is one thing, but when that news organization intentionally blurs that line problems arise. From a personal point of view, it is worrisome to me that one "news" organization is loading up its arsenal of "contributors" with a one sided viewpoint and claiming to be "fair and balanced". Former and current politicians from one party completely dominating there coverage, including one "contributor" once charged and found guilty of selling arms to our enemy.

Give it up and leave politics alone, dude.

[venchka]

Originally Posted by jeffkohn

Maybe the folks who don't want them hunted and killed because "they were here first" would be OK with re-introducing some of the natural predators to the area that used to keep the deer population under control, such as black bears and cougars.

...and coyotes.

The rest of the story.........

20-30 years ago the whitetail deer population shrank to almost nothing in Wood County. Texas Parks & Wildlife transplanted deer from around Livingston & Conroe to Wood County.

Holly Lake Ranch is a rustic, wooded gated community with about 2,000-2,500 acres of prime whitetail habitat. No predators or hunting pressure on the deer population. Deer population explodes. Texas parks & Wildlife conducted a deer census. The acrerage available would support about 150 healthy deer. The current population is estimated at 1,050. Removing 400 does would only make a temporary dent in the overpopulation. The meet would go to the Texas prison system. The cost would be shared by poperty owners. No public funds would be used.

There are people in this world who are opposed to anything and everything.

Cheers!

[KdLaneJr]

Originally Posted by venchka

...and coyotes.

The rest of the story.........

20-30 years ago the whitetail deer population shrank to almost nothing in Wood County. Texas Parks & Wildlife transplanted deer from around Livingston & Conroe to Wood County.

Holly Lake Ranch is a rustic, wooded gated community with about 2,000-2,500 acres of prime whitetail habitat. No predators or hunting pressure on the deer population. Deer population explodes. Texas parks & Wildlife conducted a deer census. The acrerage available would support about 150 healthy deer. The current population is estimated at 1,050. Removing 400 does would only make a temporary dent in the overpopulation. The meet would go to the Texas prison system. The cost would be shared by poperty owners. No public funds would be used.

There are people in this world who are opposed to anything and everything.

Cheers!

The sad part of this is that if population control isn't exercised, via culling, hunting, etc., There will most likely be a large deer kill, due to lack of forage, very soon in their future. Wildlife population control by starvation isn't good for the hunters or the anti's. It does, however, provide a smorgasbord for the vultures.

[venchka]

Like I said, if I announced in one of these community meetings that the sun was coming up tomorrow, half the folks would argue with me and the other half would refuse to pay for it.