Some media quotes

[Grislygus]

Originally Posted by kahljorn

"However, that's why there's a rigid ethical code for journalists, and that's why any legitimate and highly though of journalist adheres to that code."

lol. I don't know what to say about this. First off, most journalists are idiots. Secondly, most journalists don't give a damn about morals. It may seem like they have some ethical code, but they usually don't. Maybe it's just because I usually read local papers (but it's not limited to local papers) but I can always see the journalists perspective in the matter. The journalist ethic is supposed to be honest, grey "truth"(just the facts, mam!). Has that ever happened?
They adhere to "it" (the moral code) because if they don't they can get fired-- but only if they are perceived as doing something immoral, which would naturally reflect the spirit of the times.

This is the assumption of someone who has never worked at a paper, and never actually studied journalism. It's a widely held opinion, and easy to cling to. It hurts, but there's no way I can really debate it, because it relies on what people want to believe.

Originally Posted by kahljorn

"journalists are NOT all giving the government blowjobs"

I agree, they aren't all doing that, but I feel that the ones writing for the more prestigous magazines usually do-- possibly by necessity. You know, public opinion, contributor opinion etc.
Also, a point I'd like to bring up here about why geggy's an idiot: there's more than one "Government"! I mean, some people(journalists) will blow democrats and make a huge deal out of how NINE ELEVEN IS A HUGE CATASTROPHE CONSPIRACY THEORY CAUSED BY THE DEVIL GOVERNMENT (and geggy'll quote them) and others will blow republicans about how gays are gay and the war in Iraq is going beautifully. Again, though: Journalistic Ethic? Please.
A year or three later all of that will be opposite(except maybe the gay thing).

You know, journalism covers a wide variety of subjects outside of politics. And there's a clear difference between reporting and editorializing. A journalist's job is to be as impartial as possible. You can't be TRULY impartial, you just do the best you can. That is why there are clear rules of conduct, and they are followed. Please don't scoff at them.

Originally Posted by kahljorn

"However, I still find the assumption blatant, greatly offensive, and woefully ignorant"

What about the quotes he posted? Weren't some of those people journalists? They weren't making assumptions, so is their opinion, which was gathered by experience, valid and worth considering?

John Swinton was the only actual journalist listed. He lived in the 1800s. The CBS quotes were from the McCarthy era.

Originally Posted by kahljorn

Whether the government seriously completely controls the news paper is one thing, but it's ignorant to imagine a government or political body that doesn't use the media for their own benefit and for the management of the populus.

That is a highly heated topic, and I'm not qualified to argue it. however, I would like to clear something up.

"We live in a dirty and dangerous world. There are some things the general public does not need to know and shouldn't. I believe democracy flourishes when the government can take legitimate steps to keep its secrets, and when the press can decide whether to print what it knows."
- Katherine Graham, Washington Post publisher and CFR member.

No one who actually knows anything about journalistic responsibilites will completely disagree with this.

HOWEVER, pretty much every journalist will forcefully disagree with the extent to which it's applied. Unfortunately, people like Geggy take quotes like this and portray it as ironclad government control over the media.