News and Reporters

Is it just me, or does it also seem to you, that anymore reporters and the news in general seems to regard checking their facts as a mere footnote, an afterthought?

I dunno, but I was reading this article on MSN, http://www.slate.com/id/2165375?GT1=10034
not really that interesting of an article until you reach this,

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"Correction, May 1, 2007: This article originally stated that a study showed cows have "regional accents." That "study" was a now-debunked PR hoax. (Return to the corrected sentence.)"

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Cows with regional accents. No kidding. This didn't ring any warning bells?......:B

They also, in a blurb only 4 paragraphs long, manage to misspell Steven Weinberger's first name, not his last name, but "Steven".

Now this is only one example, and not a very good one at that, but the utter sloppy craziness of this one set me off. I'm through ranting now. :U

No - it's not just you.

It constantly amazes me what passes as "news" these days. :?

G'day,

What bugs the carp out of me is how reporters and newsreaders are forgetting how to use correct grammar. They forget that "is" is singular and "are" is plural.

:minigun: commercial TV reporters and newsreaders.

At least SBS get it right.

I am cynical about all forms of media in Australia. They all seem to have hidden agendas and are quite selective about their reporting particularly the privately owned media.

Many use this for political purposes by reporting only one side of an argument. The words in the report are certainly true but only part of the story which means it is distorted. The reporters say they are not influenced by their managers however I suspect those who do not pull the company line are overlooked for promotions and are possibly first out the door if a downsizing was to happen.

Some articles refer to what "he" or "she" or "they" said without any prior or post reference to that source. It seems that the article was edited to make space for an advertisement and was not checked for it's completeness or continuity.

It's all very well to hit off at kids who lack spelling or written communication skills, let's start with the media who are the first to report on the lack of skills by the kids.

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Originally Posted by Wood Borer

I am cynical about all forms of media in Australia. They all seem to have hidden agendas and are quite selective about their reporting particularly the privately owned media.

Many use this for political purposes by reporting only one side of an argument. The words in the report are certainly true but only part of the story which means it is distorted. The reporters say they are not influenced by their managers however I suspect those who do not pull the company line are overlooked for promotions and are possibly first out the door if a downsizing was to happen.

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Are you saying those arguments only apply to privately owned media?:rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by Waldo

What bugs the carp out of me is how reporters and newsreaders are forgetting how to use correct grammar. They forget that "is" is singular and "are" is plural.

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Not only that, carp really is crap:D

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Originally Posted by Waldo

At least SBS get it right.

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That's because they are multi-Cultural:2tsup:

I heard a reporter say "he would of ..." once. That was enough for me, I don't listen to them any more.

As for accuracy, checking facts, and misquoting people, I used to do a bit of work for a certain government web site, which featured news articles authored by their media manager. He rang me from the pub once and dictated a story concerning an interview with a certain personality in the industry. He made up the quotes on the fly and changed them a few times before he was happy with it. I asked him "is that what X really said?" to which he replied, "that's the gist of it". So when you see people quoted in the media, take it with a grain of salt.

The purpose of privately owned News media, ie Papers, Mags, TV stations is to make money. They do this in whatever way is practical and (hopefully) lawful. That's why they don't hesitate to sensationalise headlines etc. I don't think this is cynicism, it is fact.

TermiMonster - I fully agree

Its the rare journalist that actually holds to the ideals that they spout about fair, unbiased reporting.... there are a couple, and a couple of organisations... but they are few and far between.

The rest of it is just about maximising shareholder returns.. not that I really have a problem with that, but I do wish the pretense would be dropped.

Tossers, the lot of them.

It is worse(?) here in the US, the commercial media in general seems to live in an alternate realty. Suicidal lemmings would be too kind a way to describe the commercial media these days :no:.

I really feel sorry for people who's only source of information is the commercial media.

The world does indeed need a free press, but what we so desperately need even more is a press that reports facts rather than a constant commentary support of agendas. A bit of ethics wouldn't hurt them either.

From what I have seen of it, being a "reporter" instantly qualifies one as an expert on any subject and it amazes me that they COULD research what they report if they wanted to but they seem to be wedded to ignorance. What they think / feel defines the reality they (try to) sell...

A quote from an old sci-fi book I found *years* ago summed it up:

"Well, one of the sad lessons of life is that things aren't necessarily true just because the anchor on the evening news says they are." --Jame Retief.

It is my opinion that the "News" died as a trusted entity the day they went from being "News Organizations" to being profit centers.

Wonder why the commercial media and the pols hate the "Blogsphere"? They can't control it and they can't buy it.

I'm sure they thought that it was a wonderful opportunity to be the only source, but thanks to the Internet that has changed. Question is whether they can legislate (send men with guns) the blogsphere or buy it out - the latter isn't going to happen :2tsup:.

They screwed themselves and betrayed our trust. I for one welcome their fall.

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Originally Posted by Clinton1

Its the rare journalist that actually holds to the ideals that they spout .

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What about Maxine McKew :D



For those elsewhere, she was a reporter for the national broadcaster and is now running for parliment against the prime minister. She was one of the good ones.

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Originally Posted by Fox3

I for one welcome their fall.

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Me too, one station here, channel 7, makes their own news about things that are totally erelivent to real life. :?

Al :?

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Originally Posted by Waldo

G'day,

What bugs the carp out of me is how reporters and newsreaders are forgetting how to use correct grammar. They forget that "is" is singular and "are" is plural.

:minigun: commercial TV reporters and newsreaders.

At least SBS get it right.

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Or should that read 'They forget that "is" are singular and "are" is plural.':wink:
Anyone recall the nasty landslide at Thredbo in which several people died in the chalets:
1. The media dubbed Stuart Diver a 'Hero'...why?, he was the only victim to live, not a hero just a very lucky survivor.
2. Same incident, a senior Police official stated "We are having verbal communications with a person who (not whom) we believe to be alive"

In defense of journalists, though (despite my earlier post) I read a book by a journalist (about his time in Vietnam 67-8) where he said that often, journalists write a story, usually for an agency (Reuters, etc) which is onsold to various media outlets. They (the outlets) basically buy all the output from several agencies and their sub editors and editors cut the Cr** out of the actual story, mash them together and leave it in those journos names...I'm sure it still happens.

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Originally Posted by TermiMonster

I read a book by a journalist (about his time in Vietnam 67-8).

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Tim Bowden??

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Originally Posted by ozwinner

Me too, one station here, channel 7, makes their own news about things that are totally erelivent to real life. :?

Al :?

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I've noticed that Today tonight on ch 7 have recently had stories on that I know are full of baseless bias crap. I is really sickening hearing what they are spewing out as fact and scary to think how many people that wouldn't know any better believe them. :((
Actually isn't that how religious radicals attract members:?:~

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Originally Posted by Wood Butcher

I've noticed that Today tonight on ch 7 have recently had stories on that I know are full of baseless bias crap. I is really sickening hearing what they are spewing out as fact and scary to think how many people that wouldn't know any better believe them. :((
Actually isn't that how religious radicals attract members:?:~

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Don't mistake what you see on the commercial media "News" as anything actually relevant or even vaguely lining up with facts, it is entertainment for the sake of selling commercials and drawing viewership for their profit center.

Rarely - VERY rarely does it have relevance or use for intelligent people to make good decisions from. Sadly, too many people do

Two things to compare what you hear from them with:

"If it bleeds, it leads".
The old song "Dirty Laundry" (except when their pet politicians / causes are involved).

The commercial media here in Seattle probably has more of the things related two by those two lines and a surprising amount of things in the local news that are at least half a continent away.

Bloody useless and worse, bloody dangerous people controlling this medium. It *is* impossible to make good decisions from bad data...

I know there must be SOME good ones in there, but I can only imaging that their lives are a hell having to sell their morals and ethics to keep a job.

My roomie still checks it from time to time, but I just can't stomach them anymore.

Sigh... :hbomb: 'em.

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Originally Posted by Gingermick

What about Maxine McKew :D
For those elsewhere, she was a reporter for the national broadcaster and is now running for parliment against the prime minister. She was one of the good ones.

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But her political leanings came through in her interviews with pollies....
If she was good depends on which side of the political fence you sit on ...me ?? shoot the lot pollies and journos .....:D
Pete

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Originally Posted by Wood Borer

I am cynical about all forms of media in Australia. They all seem to have hidden agendas and are quite selective about their reporting particularly the privately owned media.

Many use this for political purposes by reporting only one side of an argument. The words in the report are certainly true but only part of the story which means it is distorted. The reporters say they are not influenced by their managers however I suspect those who do not pull the company line are overlooked for promotions and are possibly first out the door if a downsizing was to happen.

Some articles refer to what "he" or "she" or "they" said without any prior or post reference to that source. It seems that the article was edited to make space for an advertisement and was not checked for it's completeness or continuity.

It's all very well to hit off at kids who lack spelling or written communication skills, let's start with the media who are the first to report on the lack of skills by the kids.

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Couldn't have put it any better myself except to perhaps put paragraph 1+2 a little more bluntly

"We are only being told what they want us to know" as a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing - ensure that the populace has none.

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Originally Posted by fxst

But her political leanings came through in her interviews with pollies....
If she was good depends on which side of the political fence you sit on ...me ?? shoot the lot pollies and journos .....:D
Pete

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I think one of the requirements for a good journo/reporter is impartiality, on that basis Maxine McKew failed the test.

It is interesting to see how often the ABC proclaims loudly how "unbiased" they are, yet show me one Liberal politician who is ex-ABC, bu there are any number of ex-ABC journos now in politics for the ALP (think Alan Carpenter-WA, Gail Martin-NT, Maxine McKew-NSW and the list goes on).

Personally, I would think it is impossible to be impartial/un-biased, we all see the world through own coloured glasses, whatever that colour might be.

I would say that SBS comes the closest to giving an un-biased view.

As for the commercial media, why complain about them, do as I do and don't watch their rubbish produced for the lowest common denominator.

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Originally Posted by Bob38S

"We are only being told what they want us to know" as a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing - ensure that the populace has none.

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1984:o

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Originally Posted by fxst

But her political leanings came through in her interviews with pollies

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Never noticed. Perhaps the political leanings of the listener came through. When commenting on percieved bias one must be aware that bias is always present on both sides. If you listen you are placing your own bias on what you hear. :D I neve saw her go easy on a leftie though. I should get back to work. Smoko is over :((
I would agree that Phillip Adams' political leanings are shoved through, but he's not on telly.

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Originally Posted by Gingermick

What about Maxine McKew :D

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She has to be the greatest example of a news host to ever have the greatest political bias in every single one of her interviews. Her white haired offsider, at least he presents both sides.

Really, if you want non-political news then SBS is the only news service that gives this and really presents news from both sides of the fence. The commercial networks haven't got a clue, nor do they knwo what "news" is. "Coming up tomorrow at 6:00 we'll tell you what... " that's current affairs not news, nor is news what X AFL player did when he last sat on the toilet seat.

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I think one of the requirements for a good journo/reporter is impartiality... we all see the world through own coloured glasses, whatever that colour might be.

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I don't have a problem with that.... I'll make my own decisons based on what I draw from various sources.

I know that a presentation of the facts will be slanted by the medium through which the reporter views the world.... the medium being that grey matter which is filled with biases and personal viewpoints.

What I would like is an attempt to present "what has happened", as it really is unimportant for a reporter to only present their version of "fact".

For example:
in the beginning of the current war in Iraq... it would have been important to show the effect of the bombardment on the people living in Iraq. That would have been an important reality to present to those of us that were considering how we viewed the events that were occuring.
Of course, that was not shown as there was an acceptance of the need to manage what parts of the reality was shown.... in order to guide the public's thoughts down a particular path - support for the troops/nation/decision.

George Orwell, in his "Politics and the English Language" had the primary purpose of identifying political speechwriting as a source of the abuse of language....
.... and the effect is that political speechwriting serves to shield the public from the realities of war in order to support the aims of the political majority....
.... thus defenceless villagers are bombed from the air and ripped apart....
and this is described as "pacification" or explained as "every attempt is made to minimise collateral damage and still achieve the war objective"

This is not a criticism of that military action..... just being used as an example.

So, the question is ....
"Do I appreciate the deliberate refusal to show the actual reality in order to manipulate my response to events?"

No... and thats the 'big' issue....

Now, where the hell does "A Current Affair" and "Today Tonight" fit into news/reporting/journalism.... well I know where it should be fitted.... straight back up the putrid back passage it came from.... no bloody excuse for it.

I must at least give Maxine credit...instead of a greg 'I want a safe seat' combert she elected to have a go atr the shrubs seat. If rudd and co want to win the election they should be standing blokes like combert and shorten et al in either marginal or liberal seats to give them a chance. To remove a sitting member in a safe seat only changes the members name ....not an increase in seats which is needed to win any election.
Sorry Gingermick I dont go for either party I go for the policies when announced so my bias is not there as yet.
enough said as it is now way off topic and heading to the orange room I reckon. Bye til next week sometime :2tsup:
Pete

when the goverment is one of the biggest advertisers in the media ,and consumisem is the system we use and fear is the easest emotion to conrol ,you get what you get

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Originally Posted by Clinton1

Now, where the hell does "A Current Affair" and "Today Tonight" fit into news/reporting/journalism....

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It doesn't, never has and never will.

It is not news nor is it current affairs but a soap style magazine aimed at the ignorant masses with stories like diet fads, neighbours from hell, gossip and the latest underwear to titilate the viewers.

All designed to get the maximum ratings so they can charge a premium on their advertising rates.

Then again that is the same with commercial TV news as well, prostituting themselves for the ratings and advertising dollars.


Peter.

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Originally Posted by Sturdee

with stories like diet fads, neighbours from hell, gossip .

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And the one about the bloke who ripped some old bird off $50 bucks. National importance that

I've given up on TV, print, and most corporate newssites. I've taken to listening to ABC Radio National while in the shed:)

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Originally Posted by Iain

Tim Bowden??

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Hugh Lunn.

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Originally Posted by zenwood

I've given up on TV, print, and most corporate newssites. I've taken to listening to ABC Radio National while in the shed:)

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I do too Zenwood however the current government has stacked the ABC Board just like the previous government.

Why is it that we need political appointments on the ABC Board? Do our governments feel they can influence what is reported? I guess that is one of the essential elements of propaganda.:((

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Originally Posted by Wood Borer

I do too Zenwood however the current government has stacked the ABC Board just like the previous government.

Why is it that we need political appointments on the ABC Board? Do our governments feel they can influence what is reported? I guess that is one of the essential elements of propaganda.:((

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My favourite radio station, shed or otherwise, is ABC FM. Maximum music, minimum "news", and Margaret Throsby would have to be the best interviewer this country has ever seen. Asks intelligent questions, and actually listens to the answers! Now maybe Kerry O'Brien should take lessons from her?

And when I get sick of some of their "modern" classical music, I put on the CD player and I get to pick my own music:2tsup:

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Originally Posted by Sturdee

It doesn't, never has and never will.

It is not news nor is it current affairs but a soap style magazine aimed at the ignorant masses with stories like diet fads, neighbours from hell, gossip and the latest underwear to titilate the viewers.

Snip.

Peter.

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You forgot about the (supposed) off air dramas and scandals they use to cross-advertise their shows.:(

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Originally Posted by Big Shed

And when I get sick of some of their "modern" classical music, I put on the CD player and I get to pick my own music:2tsup:

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MBS FM, does it make it that far???

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Originally Posted by Iain

MBS FM, does it make it that far???

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No, more's the pity. Like their format and music choice. Always listen to them when I come down to Melbourne.

Hugh Mackay always has interesting words and opinions.

Phil Rees is a BBC jouno that presents a very good analysis and information in his book "Dining with Terrorists".

Both, regardless of their viewpoints, are worth the time to read their work.

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Originally Posted by Matt88s

Is it just me, or does it also seem to you, that anymore reporters and the news in general seems to regard checking their facts as a mere footnote, an afterthought?

I dunno, but I was reading this article on MSN, http://www.slate.com/id/2165375?GT1=10034
not really that interesting of an article until you reach this,

Cows with regional accents. No kidding. This didn't ring any warning bells?......:B

They also, in a blurb only 4 paragraphs long, manage to misspell Steven Weinberger's first name, not his last name, but "Steven".

Now this is only one example, and not a very good one at that, but the utter sloppy craziness of this one set me off. I'm through ranting now. :U

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Basically it's like this ,"never let the truth get in the way of agood story"

Just for whatever it may be worth, some of the OLD (real) journalist get it. Found this guys article through a blog link and after looking it over, the best reporting from the people he works for is from his blog!

http://www.dailymail.com/story/Opini...rture-flogged/

You can follow the link to his blog from there if you wish.

I sent him an email thanking him for having the courage (real courage, not dan rathers kind) to actually speak on the subject and even got a nice thank you :-). Wow :).

A number of us are wondering if he will still be employed or even alive next week...

My point is that there *IS* real news out there but you have to look hard for it, something that is hard to do when one is a wage slave :(.

It is all very discouraging, I don't care what side of the political spectrum one is on, based on the "reporting" from the old media we are ALL making decisions on bad, incomplete or biased information. That, my friends, SUCKS dangerously!

To take it down a few notches, I recently saw a high circulation magazine advertising a great competition for 'Famlies' on the cover. Correct me if I'm wrong but that seems to be short one 'i' , which brings us back to the multitude of journo's who suffer from the same affliction. :)

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Originally Posted by Gingermick

To take it down a few notches, I recently saw a high circulation magazine advertising a great competition for 'Famlies' on the cover. Correct me if I'm wrong but that seems to be short one 'i' , which brings us back to the multitude of journo's who suffer from the same affliction. :)

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Yup, the number of misspellings, typos? and grammar errors I see in the media when printed (newspaper, magazine, tv ads, etc.) would put my old English (American variety :D ) into terminal shock.

It has got to be those layers of editors and fact checkers responsible for them doing so well :doh:.

Also a spelling checker will not replace a functional brain proof reading something :;.