[antimedia] antimedia: As I read Armed Liberal's article....

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Posted by antimedia:
As I read Armed Liberal's article....
http://www.antimedia.us/posts/1151467606.shtml


   ....about [1]journalism's "neutral" stance on reporting the news, (a
   hypothetical was offered in which Jennings was covering a war from the
   enemy's side and was aware that they were about to ambush and kill a
   bunch of Americans. Jennings said he would try to warn the Americans.)

     "I am astonished, really," at Jennings's answer, Wallace said a
     moment later. He turned toward Jennings and began to lecture him:
     "You're a reporter. Granted you're an American"-at least for
     purposes of the fictional example; Jennings has actually retained
     Canadian citizenship. "I'm a little bit at a loss to understand
     why, because you're an American, you would not have covered that
     story." Ogletree pushed Wallace. Didn't Jennings have some higher
     duty, either patriotic or human, to do something other than just
     roll film as soldiers from his own country were being shot? "No,"
     Wallace said flatly and immediately. "You don't have a higher duty.
     No. No. You're a reporter!"

   I couldn't help but think - if they don't want to be biased in their
   reporting, then we should help them. Strip the citizenship of all
   journalists. Make them "citizens of the world", devoid of all the
   protections that our Constitution affords. Treat them as foreigners,
   subject to our laws but unable to enjoy the benefits of our
   protections.
   Then sit back and see how long it takes them to change their minds
   about their duty as journalists.

References

   1. http://www.windsofchange.net/archives/008743.php