Bias Critics: Meet Newsroom Joe, Apolitical Man

Grok Headline matches for Bias Critics: Meet Newsroom Joe, Apolitical Man

What Critics of the Critics of the FCC
Rule Miss

What Critics of the Critics of the FCC
Rule Miss 11/11/2003 05:35 PM
Asprin writes "Businessweek has an editorial up which argues that the FCC's HDTV broadcast flag rule is a good thing, and that everyone is just overreacting. ...

Epson Corporate: Newsroom

Epson Corporate: Newsroom 08/20/2004 04:22 AM
Man, doesn't this look like fun! .. Micro flying robot .. fly a helicopter .. pressrelease .. epson.co.jp

epson.co.jp/e/newsroom/news_2004_08_18.htm
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Do Wikis Have a Place in the Newsroom?

Do Wikis Have a Place in the Newsroom? 09/08/2004 09:48 PM
Mark Glaser, in the Online Journalism Review asks a very big question: Do Wikis Have a Place in the Newsroom? He covers the latest tests to Wikipedia authority, the Wemedia Project and gets comment on public wikis: "Most user-generated content...

Reports rap USA Today newsroom culture

Reports rap USA Today newsroom culture 04/22/2004 09:07 AM

Mood of the Newsroom: Letters from Three
Journalists

Mood of the Newsroom: Letters from Three
Journalists 06/05/2005 11:17 PM
Daniel Conover, a newsroom veteran, and Scott Heiser, a collegiate journalist, ask Tim Porter if he knows what he's saying. Bill Grueskin of the Wall Street Journal responds to Ethan Zuckerman's "Bloggiest Newspaper."

"EO Newsroom: New Images - Massive Solar
Flare"

"EO Newsroom: New Images - Massive Solar
Flare" 10/29/2003 09:21 PM

EO Newsroom: New Images - Massive Solar
Flare

EO Newsroom: New Images - Massive Solar
Flare 10/29/2003 03:52 PM
caughtfor posterity on its way to Earth .. massive solar flare .. hi-rez photos

earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/images.php3?img_ id=16345
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Newsroom codes of ethics: Let's pretend
our reporters don't think at all!

Newsroom codes of ethics: Let's pretend
our reporters don't think at all! 08/31/2004 01:04 AM
What are we to make of the absurdity emerging from the Miami Herald, where an editor has apparently told his staff that they'd better not purchase tickets to political benefit concerts, because such activities will taint the sanctity of their news-gathering enterprise?

I've never understood the sort of journalistic code of ethics -- now prevalent in many American newsrooms, particularly those owned by big corporate chains -- that requires newspeople to pretend that they are not human beings with brains and beliefs and emotions and lives. The logic of these rules -- that, for instance, forbid reporters from participating in political rallies or contributing to campaigns or otherwise behaving like normal, politically engaged citizens -- seems to stem from fear. The editors and publishers who promulgate them are worried that, if critics of their institutions get hold of factual evidence that reporters actually hold their own opinions and beliefs, those critics will be able to argue that their news reports are biased. This is the sort of fear that drives executives insane, since -- despite decades of effort -- no American corporation has yet figured out how to find that ideal Employee With No Mind of His Own, and a newsroom is the last place you'd want to hire him, anyway.

This issue, of course, leads one deep into the swamp of the hoary debate over "journalistic objectivity." Me, I can't imagine how any thinking journalist or reader in 2004 can imagine that it's possible for a reporter to so thoroughly suppress his individuality and experiences that he can provide an account of events that's unshaped by who he is -- or that, were it possible, such an account would be desirable. But others disagree, and in fact I hear the "lack of objectivity" charge today less often from journalists than from consumers of journalism, who have -- sadly but understandably -- taken the profession's traditional avowal of objectivity at face value, and then become outraged at its failure to achieve that pristine state.

For clarity here, let's distinguish between the unattainable standard of objectivity -- a scientific absolute poised as subjectivity's opposite -- and the entirely attainable, and laudable, standards of fairness and accuracy and honesty and transparency that any journalist of good mind and heart will subscribe to. Fairness: If you're presenting one side of a story, you owe it to your readers, your subjects and yourself to weigh the other side's case. Accuracy: Observation should always trump preconception, and you just don't publish something that you know is untrue, even if it helps make an argument you cherish. Honesty: You do your best to present the truth as you have witnessed it and understand it, knowing that your witness and understanding are shaped by who you are, yet also knowing that honesty will sometimes require you to report things that make you uncomfortable or call your own beliefs into question. Transparency: You do your best to avoid financial conflicts of interest, and where you have an unavoidable interest in a story you're covering, you reveal it up front.

These principles seem so simple and obvious to me after a quarter century of writing and editing that when I read something like these words from the Miami Herald memo, my eyes roll: "As you know and understand, it is improper for independent journalists -- which we are -- to engage in partisan politics or to advocate for political causes. In this case, buying a ticket to any of these events is tantamount to making a political contribution, which is prohibited by the newsroom's Guidelines on Ethics."

Where to begin here? Note how the newspaper has revised the concept of conflict of interest -- which should apply to situations where an individual can improperly gain material benefit in the course of pursuing her professional responsibilities -- and turned it into a stricture demanding that all reporters neuter their civic selves.

Sure, any "Guideline on Ethics" ought to forbid journalists accepting contributions (i.e., bribes) from politicians -- that's a conflict of interest! But if you accept the logic that a reporter contributing to a political campaign constitutes a conflict of interest, you really can't avoid insisting that the reporter, um, not vote, either.

If you believe that a reporter who contributes to a political campaign can't write about politics, you've set an all-consuming trap for the entire journalistic enterprise. Your rule will keep widening its net: If buying a ticket to a political benefit is verboten, since the money from the benefit will end up in a campaign's coffers, then the reporter should carefully refrain as well from buying a movie ticket from any studio that has used its profits to make any sort of political contribution. For that matter, better stay away from buying any product from any corporation that has chosen to give dough to any candidate. If you pay taxes, you'd better think twice about writing about any arm of the government to which you've contributed. And so on.

It's hopeless; the Herald's staff might as well take vows of poverty, chastity and silence -- and leave their paper's columns blank. (Meanwhile, of course, these corporate codes of ethics never seem to apply any strictures to the folks who own the papers -- and who have far more substantial interests that tend to be far more conflicted.)

Alternately, American journalism's managerial class could accept that reporters are people with lives -- and that their best bet at salvaging their profession is to start from that point, rather than desperately run from it. The vitality of the blogosphere offers one hopeful sign: here's a model of journalism that rests on a foundation of openness, individuality and participation. But the Miami Herald's code of ethics probably bans blogging, too.

Deep Throat, J-School and Newsroom
Religion

Deep Throat, J-School and Newsroom
Religion 06/05/2005 11:17 PM
Watergate is the great redemptive story believers learn to tell about the press and what it can do for the American people. Whether the story can continue to claim enough believers--and connect the humble to the heroic in journalism--is a big question. Whether it should is another question.

“If You Harbor Terrorists, You Are a
Terrorist”: Newsroom: The Independent
Institute

“If You Harbor Terrorists, You Are a
Terrorist”: Newsroom: The Independent
Institute 09/23/2004 03:09 AM
"If You Harbor Terrorists, You Are a Terrorist": Newsroom: The Independent Institute

independent.org/newsroom/article.asp?id=1364
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Poynter Online - New Year's Resolutions
for Newsroom Leaders

Poynter Online - New Year's Resolutions
for Newsroom Leaders 12/31/2004 05:18 AM
New Year's Resolutions for Newsroom Leaders

poynter.org/column.asp?id=34&aid=76271
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The New York Times > Magazine > The War
Inside the Arab Newsroom

The New York Times > Magazine > The War
Inside the Arab Newsroom 01/03/2005 02:47 AM

nytimes.com/2005/01/02/magazine/02ARAB.html
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Politics of the Web: Meet, Greet,
Segregate, Meet Again

Politics of the Web: Meet, Greet,
Segregate, Meet Again 01/24/2004 09:27 PM
Online political discussion has become so fragmented that some public policy scolds warn that the Internet may be narrowing the spectrum of debate.

BIAS Peak 4

BIAS Peak 4 07/31/2004 08:48 AM
For anyone involved with sound design or sample-editing, Peak is an exemplary version of a necessary tool. By Craig Stern, Mac Design Pro (via MyAppleMenu)

Media Bias

Media Bias 04/11/2005 06:28 AM
Larry Lessig: David Carr of the New York Times was at the event. He wrote a review. Everyone I’ve spoken to loved the piece. I think they loved it because it was a piece printed in the Times, and we’re a culture that loves attention more than accuracy. +1 insightful related

Fox Reporter Bias

Fox Reporter Bias 03/14/2005 04:06 PM
Nearly 7 out of 10 stories on Fox News include personal opinions from reporters

BIAS ships SoundSoap Pro

BIAS ships SoundSoap Pro 05/28/2004 10:47 AM
BIAS is now shipping SoundSoap Pro, a high-end version of its audio restoration plug-in aimed at professional audio producers, engineers, musicians, sound designers, and forensic scientists...

'Shocking' bias in job market

'Shocking' bias in job market 07/12/2004 02:36 AM
A BBC survey highlighting "shocking" discrimination on race in the job market prompts calls for tougher laws.

OJR Looks at Google News and a Possible
Bias

OJR Looks at Google News and a Possible
Bias 09/24/2004 07:04 AM
The widely regarded and respected Online Journalism Review, takes a look at Google News vs Yahoo News. A must read for news junkies.

Beware of Brand Bias

Beware of Brand Bias 06/04/2004 12:37 PM
Is brand bias steering you toward the wrong investments and away from the right ones?

Google hit with age-bias lawsuit

Google hit with age-bias lawsuit 07/25/2004 06:00 AM
Orlandosentinel.com - Sun Jul 25, 08:58 am GMT

Google News bias

Google News bias 08/03/2004 12:26 PM
Seattle Post Intelligencer Aug 3 2004 5:04PM GMT

Update: BIAS Peak 4.14

Update: BIAS Peak 4.14 06/05/2005 11:11 PM
The stereo recording and mastering application adds Tiger compatibility, a Core Audio driver, Auto Detect Regions for splitting recordings, and a new loop flag option for AIFF files.

Bias cramps Internet

Bias cramps Internet 12/18/2003 08:37 PM
globetechnology.com Dec 18 2003 8:04PM ET

Muslim charges bias led to firing

Muslim charges bias led to firing 01/06/2005 02:22 AM
Chicagotribune.com - Tue Jan 4, 01:20 pm GMT

News: BIAS demos Peak 5 at NAB

News: BIAS demos Peak 5 at NAB 04/19/2005 08:54 AM
BIAS Inc. on Monday at the National Association of Broadcasters show in Las Vegas, Nev. demoed for MacCentral the upcoming release of Peak Pro 5, its recording, editing and mastering software for audio professionals. BIAS said the feedback since announcing the update in Frankfurt, Germany a few weeks ago has been amazing.

UN seeks action against Aids bias

UN seeks action against Aids bias 07/11/2004 07:53 PM
The United Nations calls for global action to stop discrimination in the workplace against people with Aids.

Bias Keeps Internet From Global
Expansion

Bias Keeps Internet From Global
Expansion 12/19/2003 11:30 AM
CRM Assist Dec 19 2003 10:40AM ET

MSN Admits News Bot Scruffed Up Bias

MSN Admits News Bot Scruffed Up Bias 08/01/2004 11:46 AM
"MSN Newsbot, by contrast, gives favorable placement to articles from Microsoft's own MSNBC.com news site -- late Friday afternoon, half of Newsbot's 22 front-page stories came from MSNBC.com."

Bias keeps Internet from global
expansion

Bias keeps Internet from global
expansion 12/18/2003 06:08 PM
Boston Globe Dec 18 2003 4:48PM ET

Sex-bias and power in the public sector

Sex-bias and power in the public sector 01/06/2004 04:32 AM
PublicTechnology.net Jan 6 2004 3:14AM ET

UK Scientist Fears Genetic Bias

UK Scientist Fears Genetic Bias 05/17/2004 04:49 AM
What if insurance companies and employers use genetic tests to discriminate against people with an increased risk for certain diseases? A Nobel laureate wants laws in place to protect people.

Swimming through the Spin: AP Bias
strikes again

Swimming through the Spin: AP Bias
strikes again 09/03/2004 07:55 PM
Swimming through the spin .. blogospheric buzz .. MADE-UP BOOS .. Here’s

spinswimming.blogspot.com/2004/09/ap-bias-strikes-again .html
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Stick Your Liberal Bias Where the Sun
Don't Shine

Stick Your Liberal Bias Where the Sun
Don't Shine 04/10/2004 08:47 AM
Stick your liberal bias where the sun don't shine .. the fun begins .. series

wonkette.com/archives/stick_your_liberal_bias_where_the_sun_d ont_shine_014930.php
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BIAS releases Mastering & Restoration
Edition

BIAS releases Mastering & Restoration
Edition 07/26/2004 12:31 AM
BIAS has announced a special bundled edition of Peak 4.1 (which has a suggested retail price of US$499) that includes SoundSoap Pro ($599) and SuperFreq ($79) for $899 -- a savings of nearly $300 off the combined list prices if purchased separately...

Ace of Spades HQ: No Liberal Media Bias,
Part 9,765

Ace of Spades HQ: No Liberal Media Bias,
Part 9,765 09/26/2004 10:41 AM
Get outta town .. Ace of Spades .. unhappy .. Ace

ace.mu.nu/archives/047431.php
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Western Bias Keeps Internet From Global
Expansion

Western Bias Keeps Internet From Global
Expansion 12/19/2003 11:30 AM
Red Nova Dec 19 2003 10:23AM ET

Google News' (Unintended) Political Bias

Google News' (Unintended) Political Bias 09/23/2004 07:59 PM

JD Lasica (Online Journalism Review): Balancing Act: How News Portals Serve Up Political Storie. Google News uses computer algorithms to identify top stories while Yahoo News favors old-fashioned human editors. But do Google's automated search results display a conservative bias?

Labor Board's Detractors See a Bias
Against Workers

Labor Board's Detractors See a Bias
Against Workers 01/02/2005 06:47 AM
The rulings of the National Labor Relations Board have poured out one after another in recent months, with many decisions tilting in favor of employers.
Grok Description matches for Bias Critics: Meet Newsroom Joe, Apolitical Man
GrokA matches for Bias Critics: Meet Newsroom Joe, Apolitical Man

Bias Critics: Meet Newsroom Joe, Apolitical Man

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