Like a well-orchestrated antiphony, the chirping by self-anointed crisis pundits has become formulaic: A crisis erupts and the call-and-response by social media sycophants, bloggers and journalists erupts into high gear, often adopting the tone of, “Here’s what (brand/individual) X should be doing.” There’s no doubt healthy reflection and even recommendations can be helpful. But the mere fact that [...]
December 31, 2009
Solutions “Jimmy is 8 years old and a third-generation heroin addict, a precocious little boy with sandy hair, velvety brown eyes and needle marks freckling the baby-smooth skin of his thin brown arms.” – Janet Cooke, Washington Post, September 29, 1980 Promoted by her Washington Post Editor, Bob Woodward, reporter Janet Cooke was nominated for and received the Pulizter [...]
December 25, 2009
To public officials, the role of the news business is obvious. We see the process of information shaping first hand, warts and all. But ask a journalist their perspective of their role, and the reaction will likely be different. A public official being openly critical of the news media is quickly spun by journalists to mean that reporters must being doing the right thing. Conversely, journalists keeping public officials on their toes is considered a noble, expected calling of the news business, one that media outlets use to promote upcoming news. The logic is fascinating.
December 18, 2009
The consequences of misinformation: How the New York Times worked with an activist group to mislead the nation “Let’s give ‘em something to talk about.” – Bonnie Raitt In 2002 a relatively unknown study about consumer perceptions of food safety was published (1). In it, three researchers discovered a startling point: Given the choice between information delivered by [...]
December 11, 2009
How reporters are biased “In America the President reigns for four years, and Journalism governs for ever and ever.” –Oscar Wilde Social psychologists have confirmed that cognition is an important ingredient in how information is perceived. They have found that perceptions can be swayed relatively easily by racial stereotypes, body language, facial expressions, previous bias (1), and self [...]
February 17, 2010
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