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.
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 [...]
How the news media manipulate news as a normal part of business “It’s a bizarre world where flacks are more vigilant than reporters when it comes to trying not to mislead readers.” – JOHN COOK, Gawker “The Spitzer Files: How the New York Times and the Press Serviced Client No. 9” The American Left’s favorite [...]
This has been a long time coming. Although people have had in their pockets the means to transmit breaking news for at least a decade, increased social networking – particularly Twitter, Facebook and Youtube—has finally garnered enough traction to spread information to the masses. Three events just this year have set the stage for this. [...]
As the New York Times navigates rough terrain with its employees – which include reporters for both the Times and the Boston Globe – a nice nugget appeared today on NPR’s Marketplace. Reporters, it seems, have become the story as they vote on negotiated pay cuts. The story itself is worth a listen. The reporter, [...]
December 25, 2009