1. The Maysles Brothers and Frederick Wisemen faced a myriad of ethical dilemmas when they made their films. Issues of privacy and exploitation plagued the filmmakers at every corner. When the subjects of a film are legally insane or incredibly detached from reality, it is the filmmaker's duty to ask themselves: What can the public gain from seeing this film? As long as filmmakers make a concerted effort to get permission from their subjects--and from the closest relatives in cases similar to “Titicut Follies”-- the ultimate decision belongs with the filmmaker.
In the case of “Grey Gardens,” exposing the Beale family feels unnecessary and exploitive although the family might have desired the attention. There is little to gain from watching two former socialites live in squalor and become increasingly removed from the world. Filming the mother and daughter as they discuss their lives might not have breached any legal doctrines, but the filmmaker should have wondered why they were filming these exchanges. As for “Titicut Follies,” investigating the conditions of America’s mental wards is a vital service needed to prevent abuses of power.
2. It is impossible to show all of the footage because the filmmakers most likely shot hundreds of hours of film. They could have displayed the segments in their entirety, but this would have been yawn-inducing. Filmmaking conventions have clearly evolved since these documentaries were released. If Ken Burns or Errol Morris used these same techniques in their films today, critics would lambaste them.
The manner in which the filmmakers used the footage is an ethical issue and a technical matter. Both films are very organic. The stories unfold with a limited number of cuts, creating a feeling of voyeurism in the audience. Interviews and archival footage are not spliced together to create a third meaning. This style works for “Follies” because the detachment allows the violence and pain to overwhelm the viewer. However, when this same method is applied in “Grey Gardens,” it looks like a shoddy home movie. No matter how the Maysles spliced their footage, they would not have been able to overcome their dishonorable exploitation of the Beales.
3. If I was the filmmaker behind these two projects, I would have abandoned “Grey Gardens” because there is little merit in telling the Beales’ story. Just because filmmakers actions are legal, this does not mean they are ethical. As for “Follies,” I would have followed through on the project, paying special caution to privacy. A concerted effort to receive permission from the staff, patients and family members would have to be undertaken.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
WSU launches 3-D campus
Washington State University officials on Monday formally unveiled a 3-D replica of the campus through Second Life.
The virtual campus will provide students a new means of communicating with professors via voice or text chat and make WSU more accessible to students enrolled in distance degree programs. Students can also work together on group projects that exist within the 3-D space.
Designed by staff and students who work for The Center for Distance and Professional Education, the virtual space allows students to create avatars for navigating the campus and attending lectures as if they were in Pullman. CDPE assistant dean Dr. David Cillay said the program was launched to provide distance degree students a more fulfilling education experience.
Hundreds of universities, such as Harvard, Stanford and the University of California, Davis, are already making use of 3-D campuses for a variety applications. UC Davis created a virtual psychiatric clinic for students to explore the effects of schizophrenia.
Some WSU professors have already expressed interest in utilizing this new technology for their classes. Brett Atwood, an assistant professor with the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication, said he plans to use the program for journalism and public relations courses this fall. “We are dipping our toe into the virtual world,” Atwood said.
Jitesh Panchal, an assistant professor with the School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, also expressed interest in using the 3-D campus to enhance his lectures. In an interview with The Daily Evergreen, Panchal said he wanted to use the program because it brings students together.
Featuring campus landmarks, including the Bryan Hall Clock Tower, the CUB and Todd Hall, the program attempts to recreate the campus learning environment. Atwood said, “There is a collaborative component to the Second Life community.” Unlike other eLearning sites, Second Life allows users to become more socially engaged, Atwood added.
According to early cost projections, maintaining the WSU island would cost $900 per year. Atwood said, “The program is a significant investment over the long-term.” WSU students are able to access the 3-D space free of charge.
A sneak peak of the project was offered at the 2009 Virtual Journalism Summit in Pullman, Wash. where Linden Lab chairman and Second Life founder Philip Rosedale spoke about the emergence of 3-D platforms.
Critics of the program say it is a processor intensive program, which could prevent many students from accessing the virtual space. Others accuse the program of diminishing the importance of face-to-face communication. Atwood admitted, “The program might not be the right solution for every problem…but it builds trust between students, peers and professors.”
The virtual campus will provide students a new means of communicating with professors via voice or text chat and make WSU more accessible to students enrolled in distance degree programs. Students can also work together on group projects that exist within the 3-D space.
Designed by staff and students who work for The Center for Distance and Professional Education, the virtual space allows students to create avatars for navigating the campus and attending lectures as if they were in Pullman. CDPE assistant dean Dr. David Cillay said the program was launched to provide distance degree students a more fulfilling education experience.
Hundreds of universities, such as Harvard, Stanford and the University of California, Davis, are already making use of 3-D campuses for a variety applications. UC Davis created a virtual psychiatric clinic for students to explore the effects of schizophrenia.
Some WSU professors have already expressed interest in utilizing this new technology for their classes. Brett Atwood, an assistant professor with the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication, said he plans to use the program for journalism and public relations courses this fall. “We are dipping our toe into the virtual world,” Atwood said.
Jitesh Panchal, an assistant professor with the School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, also expressed interest in using the 3-D campus to enhance his lectures. In an interview with The Daily Evergreen, Panchal said he wanted to use the program because it brings students together.
Featuring campus landmarks, including the Bryan Hall Clock Tower, the CUB and Todd Hall, the program attempts to recreate the campus learning environment. Atwood said, “There is a collaborative component to the Second Life community.” Unlike other eLearning sites, Second Life allows users to become more socially engaged, Atwood added.
According to early cost projections, maintaining the WSU island would cost $900 per year. Atwood said, “The program is a significant investment over the long-term.” WSU students are able to access the 3-D space free of charge.
A sneak peak of the project was offered at the 2009 Virtual Journalism Summit in Pullman, Wash. where Linden Lab chairman and Second Life founder Philip Rosedale spoke about the emergence of 3-D platforms.
Critics of the program say it is a processor intensive program, which could prevent many students from accessing the virtual space. Others accuse the program of diminishing the importance of face-to-face communication. Atwood admitted, “The program might not be the right solution for every problem…but it builds trust between students, peers and professors.”
Sunday, June 14, 2009
A breach of ethics
1. The editors had to walk a very fine line between first-rate journalism and a witch hunt. If Mayor Jim West was engaged in sexual activity with underage boys, then a crime is being committed and the public has a right to know. However, if West is conducting a relationship with another adult, then any investigation into his personal life should have little merit. A politician’s private life and sexual orientation should not be exploited to sell newspapers. At first, the probe followed prudent journalistic practices -- chasing down sources and asking questions--but once the reporters made the foray into the chat room, they crossed a line. In my view, this was essentially entrapment.
2. William Morlin could not assume a faulty identity because it would have violated the Spokesman-Reviews’ code of ethics. So instead, a third party was hired to create the sting. Morlin tried to justify the practice by saying the paper was pursuing a story that the people of Spokane needed to know.
3. The volume of articles published by The Spokesman-Review reflects a reporters’ need to get as much mileage out of the story as possible. A story of that magnitude rarely occurs in smaller cities like Spokane and this was their one opportunity to conduct in-depth coverage worthy of a Pulitzer Prize. It is sad that so many beat reporters abandon their daily jobs to probe for Dickensian tales of overcoming hardship that earn awards. I think the overabundance of articles published by The Spokesman-Review reflect this journalistic mind set.
4. The Spokesman- Review obviously benefited from the probe. Its circulation surely increased and the reporters who covered the story reaped tons of praise. On the other hand, Mayor Jim West’s life was left in shambles. Based on the published transcripts, their was not enough impropriety regarding the promises for internships to convict West of anything. The rest of the accusations were based on statements made by an untrustworthy source. Had more witnesses provided accounts of sexual abuse, the claims would be more substantial. West’s political career might have persevered had his sexual orientation not been revealed. Local politicians from across the country frequently face similar accusations regarding abuses of office. The defining factor in this case was the politician’s sexual orientation.
5. Unlike Mayor West’s case, Lynch’s absence is a story that does require some investigation. Nonetheless, the reporting does delve into Lynch’s personal matters--matters that should not concern the residents of Spokane--which the reporters frame in a less than ethical manner. The article provides the newsworthy event--Lynch’s medical absence--and then tries to discover why. By writing the article in this manner, the writers almost make it sound like Lynch has contracted AIDS. A more ethical approach would disclose Lynch’s absence and then describe recent events. Lynch’s physical wounds are not mentioned until the end of the third paragraph. Pushing this information so deep in the article allows the reader to make certain assumptions about Lynch before they know the full story.
2. William Morlin could not assume a faulty identity because it would have violated the Spokesman-Reviews’ code of ethics. So instead, a third party was hired to create the sting. Morlin tried to justify the practice by saying the paper was pursuing a story that the people of Spokane needed to know.
3. The volume of articles published by The Spokesman-Review reflects a reporters’ need to get as much mileage out of the story as possible. A story of that magnitude rarely occurs in smaller cities like Spokane and this was their one opportunity to conduct in-depth coverage worthy of a Pulitzer Prize. It is sad that so many beat reporters abandon their daily jobs to probe for Dickensian tales of overcoming hardship that earn awards. I think the overabundance of articles published by The Spokesman-Review reflect this journalistic mind set.
4. The Spokesman- Review obviously benefited from the probe. Its circulation surely increased and the reporters who covered the story reaped tons of praise. On the other hand, Mayor Jim West’s life was left in shambles. Based on the published transcripts, their was not enough impropriety regarding the promises for internships to convict West of anything. The rest of the accusations were based on statements made by an untrustworthy source. Had more witnesses provided accounts of sexual abuse, the claims would be more substantial. West’s political career might have persevered had his sexual orientation not been revealed. Local politicians from across the country frequently face similar accusations regarding abuses of office. The defining factor in this case was the politician’s sexual orientation.
5. Unlike Mayor West’s case, Lynch’s absence is a story that does require some investigation. Nonetheless, the reporting does delve into Lynch’s personal matters--matters that should not concern the residents of Spokane--which the reporters frame in a less than ethical manner. The article provides the newsworthy event--Lynch’s medical absence--and then tries to discover why. By writing the article in this manner, the writers almost make it sound like Lynch has contracted AIDS. A more ethical approach would disclose Lynch’s absence and then describe recent events. Lynch’s physical wounds are not mentioned until the end of the third paragraph. Pushing this information so deep in the article allows the reader to make certain assumptions about Lynch before they know the full story.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Read between the lines: The future of the news
"Frontline's" probing report on the current state of journalism, reported by Lowell Bergman, unveils the changing role of the press in society. It is unique to see Bergman, a former “60 Minutes” producer, reporting on his former program. “60 Minutes” is referred to as a brand or a commodity rather than a news program on numerous occasions in the program. Over the years, “60 Minutes” developed a solid reputation for quality journalism, but the connotations associated with labeling the program a commodity are worrying. The name “60 Minutes” should not be used to sell products. Once a “60 Minutes” t-shirt is sold in stores, the program loses integrity.
One of the segments that stands out pertains to the increase in citizen journalism. Markos Moulitsas’ comments about the fluid structure of blogs is terribly disconcerting. Moulitsis believes bloggers can write whatever they want as long as it is factual. He finds it perfectly acceptable for bloggers to be poets one day and journalists the next. This wouldn’t be a problem if readers could easily discern between an opinion column and an actual piece of investigative reporting.
As a young college student who writes opinion columns and news stories for a campus newspaper, I have to be extremely cautious about the content in my columns. I don’t want readers to accuse me of harboring a potential bias or dismiss my reporting based on something I said two semesters ago about President Bush. Helen Thomas, a recent speaker at the Edward R. Murrow Symposium, faced difficulties in the White House press room after she became a syndicated columnist for Hearst Newspapers. If Helen Thomas’ credibility as a journalist can be compromised based on her overlapping responsibilities as a reporter and a columnist, then “anonymous blogger 101” has no credibility.
The segment focusing on the finances of the Los Angeles Times exposed ills in the newspaper industry and American capitalism. I wished Bergman had interviewed David Simon, a former journalist for The Baltimore Sun and the creator of the HBO television program “The Wire,” because Simon is an outspoken advocate on this issue. Much like healthcare, Simon contends that newspapers should not face the same kind of profit models as other businesses. Making a profit should be enough for a newspaper. It was these expectations of exponential growth that led to the creation of derivatives and impossible leverage schemes in the financial markets that caused the current economic debacle. Newspapers simply can not achieve similar growth without resorting to tabloid-esque sensationalism.
For further details, I published an article in The Daily Evergreen about the future of newspapers.
One of the segments that stands out pertains to the increase in citizen journalism. Markos Moulitsas’ comments about the fluid structure of blogs is terribly disconcerting. Moulitsis believes bloggers can write whatever they want as long as it is factual. He finds it perfectly acceptable for bloggers to be poets one day and journalists the next. This wouldn’t be a problem if readers could easily discern between an opinion column and an actual piece of investigative reporting.
As a young college student who writes opinion columns and news stories for a campus newspaper, I have to be extremely cautious about the content in my columns. I don’t want readers to accuse me of harboring a potential bias or dismiss my reporting based on something I said two semesters ago about President Bush. Helen Thomas, a recent speaker at the Edward R. Murrow Symposium, faced difficulties in the White House press room after she became a syndicated columnist for Hearst Newspapers. If Helen Thomas’ credibility as a journalist can be compromised based on her overlapping responsibilities as a reporter and a columnist, then “anonymous blogger 101” has no credibility.
The segment focusing on the finances of the Los Angeles Times exposed ills in the newspaper industry and American capitalism. I wished Bergman had interviewed David Simon, a former journalist for The Baltimore Sun and the creator of the HBO television program “The Wire,” because Simon is an outspoken advocate on this issue. Much like healthcare, Simon contends that newspapers should not face the same kind of profit models as other businesses. Making a profit should be enough for a newspaper. It was these expectations of exponential growth that led to the creation of derivatives and impossible leverage schemes in the financial markets that caused the current economic debacle. Newspapers simply can not achieve similar growth without resorting to tabloid-esque sensationalism.
For further details, I published an article in The Daily Evergreen about the future of newspapers.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
The view from Qatar
Flooded with a barrage of news channels, Americans have more than enough places to find the news they need to make informed decisions--or do they? A host of lesser-known English-language stations are battling to find their place in the world market. Among the emerging contenders, Al-Jazeera--a Qatar-based network--and BBC World News seem like the most likely stations to find a niche market in North America. Their journalistic standards are equal--if not greater than--CNN and FOX News; Al-Jazeera even has a multitude of respectable journalists, including renowned talk show host David Frost.
One of the first aspects of these lesser known channels that catches the viewer’s attention is the lack of graphics. The display is remarkably simple. A slow ticker might appear on screen, but the viewer is not bombarded with multiple displays of stock quotes, headlines and emerging stories. Bold headlines don’t bounce around the screen or have nifty sound effects. The lesser-known networks appear more concerned with providing the news than hooking the viewer.
As I scrolled through the list of lesser known channels, I subconsciously started to turn down the volume on my television set, where Keith Olberman and Sean Hannity had been incessantly arguing, and began to intently watch Al-Jazeera and BBC World News. Neither station had a single story about American Idol or was reliant on loud pundits to enhance the viewing experience. I watched a segment about the Iranian elections and was astonished to hear new views and angles about the event. Whenever the elections are discussed on American news stations, the issue is framed from the perspective of how Obama’s speech in Cairo is influencing the election. Al-Jazeera actually talked about the candidates and their campaigns with more depth and detail than any other station.
Anyone familiar with Al-Jazeera is probably aware of the criticisms being hurled at the Middle Eastern news channel. Former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld famously charged the station with displaying anti-American propaganda and said the network was willing to lie for any cause. Arabs could accuse Fox News of similar journalistic breaches of integrity. In the eyes of the Muslim world, Fox is in all probability seen as the voice of western imperialism.
It is easy for Americans to condemn Al-Jazeera for acting as Osama Bin Laden’s voice, but American news stations disseminated countless speeches from the Bush administration in the weeks leading up to the invasion of Afghanistan, which were little more than propaganda designed to rally Americans around the flag and the war. One could argue that the lack of serious journalism before the war led to more unnecessary deaths than the attacks of 9/11. Journalists have a responsibility to determine how their story will affect the public and they must adhere to an ethical code.
This issue was impeccably examined in the 2004 documentary “Control Room.” Raising pressing issues about whether or not journalists can truly be objective, the filmmakers illustrate how life experiences shaped the journalists of Al-Jazeera and, ultimately, the news they reported.
Another aspect that grabs the viewer’s eyeballs is Al-Jazeera’s utter lack of watered-down imagery. In several segments, the station displayed the real cost of war: dismembered bodies, decimated buildings, grieving relatives. If Americans witnessed these images on CNN or MSNBC, the war would have ended years ago.
Due to the discord surrounding Al-Jazeera, I think it will be primarily relegated to the internet in the coming years. Although, if more and more well-known journalists relocate to the Middle Eastern station, which would not be a surprise given globalization’s ability to level the playing field in almost every other business sector, Al-Jazeera could emerge as a counterpoint to the corporate networks.
One of the first aspects of these lesser known channels that catches the viewer’s attention is the lack of graphics. The display is remarkably simple. A slow ticker might appear on screen, but the viewer is not bombarded with multiple displays of stock quotes, headlines and emerging stories. Bold headlines don’t bounce around the screen or have nifty sound effects. The lesser-known networks appear more concerned with providing the news than hooking the viewer.
As I scrolled through the list of lesser known channels, I subconsciously started to turn down the volume on my television set, where Keith Olberman and Sean Hannity had been incessantly arguing, and began to intently watch Al-Jazeera and BBC World News. Neither station had a single story about American Idol or was reliant on loud pundits to enhance the viewing experience. I watched a segment about the Iranian elections and was astonished to hear new views and angles about the event. Whenever the elections are discussed on American news stations, the issue is framed from the perspective of how Obama’s speech in Cairo is influencing the election. Al-Jazeera actually talked about the candidates and their campaigns with more depth and detail than any other station.
Anyone familiar with Al-Jazeera is probably aware of the criticisms being hurled at the Middle Eastern news channel. Former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld famously charged the station with displaying anti-American propaganda and said the network was willing to lie for any cause. Arabs could accuse Fox News of similar journalistic breaches of integrity. In the eyes of the Muslim world, Fox is in all probability seen as the voice of western imperialism.
It is easy for Americans to condemn Al-Jazeera for acting as Osama Bin Laden’s voice, but American news stations disseminated countless speeches from the Bush administration in the weeks leading up to the invasion of Afghanistan, which were little more than propaganda designed to rally Americans around the flag and the war. One could argue that the lack of serious journalism before the war led to more unnecessary deaths than the attacks of 9/11. Journalists have a responsibility to determine how their story will affect the public and they must adhere to an ethical code.
This issue was impeccably examined in the 2004 documentary “Control Room.” Raising pressing issues about whether or not journalists can truly be objective, the filmmakers illustrate how life experiences shaped the journalists of Al-Jazeera and, ultimately, the news they reported.
Another aspect that grabs the viewer’s eyeballs is Al-Jazeera’s utter lack of watered-down imagery. In several segments, the station displayed the real cost of war: dismembered bodies, decimated buildings, grieving relatives. If Americans witnessed these images on CNN or MSNBC, the war would have ended years ago.
Due to the discord surrounding Al-Jazeera, I think it will be primarily relegated to the internet in the coming years. Although, if more and more well-known journalists relocate to the Middle Eastern station, which would not be a surprise given globalization’s ability to level the playing field in almost every other business sector, Al-Jazeera could emerge as a counterpoint to the corporate networks.
Monday, June 8, 2009
WSU Student Profiles: Mauricio Cifuentes
Huddling with his brothers and sisters in the family bathroom, Mauricio Cifuentes could hear the government planes encroaching on Casanare, the tiny Colombian village along the eastern border with Venezuela where his family lived. Rebels of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, the leftist insurgent group that continues to besiege rural Colombia, had raided the town’s police station and were fortifying the premises. Waiting in silence for the government troops to arrive, the family could only stay together and pray.
Retelling the story nearly a decade later, Cifuentes, a senior majoring in economics at Washington State University, said, “It was not easy, but I had my family there.” The echoes of bombs exploding still ring in his ears. “The attacks happened all the time,” Cifuentes added. “We lived only three blocks from the police station so we were always taking cover. It was scary.”
Every student at WSU has a story to tell. However, most of these stories are mundane and sound strikingly similar. Filled with events such as state championship games, proms and parties, the few aspects that change from story to story are the names. Only a few students experience the consequences of the real world and are forced to make tough decisions. For Cifuentes, lectures about political violence, the drug trade and military coups are not abstract discussions--they are reality.
Cifuentes’ journey to the United States is fraught with tales of perseverance and staggering displays of courage in the face of great personal obstacles.
Born during drug kingpin Pablo Escobar’s bloody reign of terror that enveloped Colombia at the end of the 1980s, Cifuentes tries to remember a different Colombia. A Colombia filled with memories of beautiful vistas and soccer games is how the young college student wishes to remember those years. Reminiscing about his childhood, Cifuentes said, “Things were simpler. I would play soccer until the sun was gone at the end of the day.”
Growing up in a large family, consisting of five brothers and four sisters, Cifuentes’ priorities revolved around his parents and siblings. Mauricio’s older brother Ismael Cifuentes said, “If we did not have food, we would all support each other.” These tight bonds helped him persevere when his father died of cancer in 2006. The young Cifuentes remains incredibly close to all of his siblings despite the fact that they are divided by continents, oceans, and numerous borders.
As a teenager, he became associated with the El Camino Fund, an organization that promotes economic development in the rural provinces of Colombia. After earning a scholarship in January 2005 to study English, Cifuentes traveled to the United States and enrolled at the Intensive American Language Center in Pullman, Wash..
Enamored by the rolling hills and the strong intellectual community in Pullman, Cifuentes decided to enroll at WSU as an undergraduate.
Whereas most college students admire movie stars and athletes, Cifuentes’ heroes are Colombian politicians, many of whom were assassinated for standing up against the corrupt government. Cifuentes said he admires politicians like Jorge Eliecer Gaitan and Luis Carlos Galan Sarmiento because they did not allow threats of violence to dictate their lives.
Cifuentes plans to fulfill his Optional Practical Training, which is a period of time for international students to gain work experience, and then pursue a graduate degree in economics either in the United States or England.
Cifuentes’ friend Qasim Hussaini said Cifuentes will be successful at whatever he decides to do. “Whether it as a politician or as a businessman, he is going to make a difference in this world,” Hussaini said.
Washington State University prides itself on being a world class research institute where students from across the globe can come and grow into future leaders. The university motto (“World Class. Face to Face.”) summons images of a diverse student body that is capable and willing to address the world’s problems. If this is the goal of WSU, then students such as Mauricio Cifuentes are the face of the university.
Retelling the story nearly a decade later, Cifuentes, a senior majoring in economics at Washington State University, said, “It was not easy, but I had my family there.” The echoes of bombs exploding still ring in his ears. “The attacks happened all the time,” Cifuentes added. “We lived only three blocks from the police station so we were always taking cover. It was scary.”
Every student at WSU has a story to tell. However, most of these stories are mundane and sound strikingly similar. Filled with events such as state championship games, proms and parties, the few aspects that change from story to story are the names. Only a few students experience the consequences of the real world and are forced to make tough decisions. For Cifuentes, lectures about political violence, the drug trade and military coups are not abstract discussions--they are reality.
Cifuentes’ journey to the United States is fraught with tales of perseverance and staggering displays of courage in the face of great personal obstacles.
Born during drug kingpin Pablo Escobar’s bloody reign of terror that enveloped Colombia at the end of the 1980s, Cifuentes tries to remember a different Colombia. A Colombia filled with memories of beautiful vistas and soccer games is how the young college student wishes to remember those years. Reminiscing about his childhood, Cifuentes said, “Things were simpler. I would play soccer until the sun was gone at the end of the day.”
Growing up in a large family, consisting of five brothers and four sisters, Cifuentes’ priorities revolved around his parents and siblings. Mauricio’s older brother Ismael Cifuentes said, “If we did not have food, we would all support each other.” These tight bonds helped him persevere when his father died of cancer in 2006. The young Cifuentes remains incredibly close to all of his siblings despite the fact that they are divided by continents, oceans, and numerous borders.
As a teenager, he became associated with the El Camino Fund, an organization that promotes economic development in the rural provinces of Colombia. After earning a scholarship in January 2005 to study English, Cifuentes traveled to the United States and enrolled at the Intensive American Language Center in Pullman, Wash..
Enamored by the rolling hills and the strong intellectual community in Pullman, Cifuentes decided to enroll at WSU as an undergraduate.
Whereas most college students admire movie stars and athletes, Cifuentes’ heroes are Colombian politicians, many of whom were assassinated for standing up against the corrupt government. Cifuentes said he admires politicians like Jorge Eliecer Gaitan and Luis Carlos Galan Sarmiento because they did not allow threats of violence to dictate their lives.
Cifuentes plans to fulfill his Optional Practical Training, which is a period of time for international students to gain work experience, and then pursue a graduate degree in economics either in the United States or England.
Cifuentes’ friend Qasim Hussaini said Cifuentes will be successful at whatever he decides to do. “Whether it as a politician or as a businessman, he is going to make a difference in this world,” Hussaini said.
Washington State University prides itself on being a world class research institute where students from across the globe can come and grow into future leaders. The university motto (“World Class. Face to Face.”) summons images of a diverse student body that is capable and willing to address the world’s problems. If this is the goal of WSU, then students such as Mauricio Cifuentes are the face of the university.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Common Reading Program saved by donation
Dozens of copies of Michael Pollan’s “The Omnivore’s Dilemma,” the book selected for Washington State University’s 2009 Common Reading Program, were perfectly stacked near the entrance of The Bookie. Students occasionally stopped at the display, thumbed through the pages and placed the book back on the table. The students’ nonchalant reaction to the New York Times bestseller, which assesses the social and environmental repercussions of people’s diets, stood in stark contrast to the level of debate that has surrounded the book since early last month, when the Common Reading Program was removed from the WSU curriculum.
While thousands of copies of the book remained packaged, waiting to be distributed at Alive! sessions this summer, the fate of the book and the Common Reading Program dangled in the balance until WSU alumnus William Marler promised on Wednesday to donate $40,000 to help reinstate the program and the controversial book.
Concern about the book emerged in April, when WSU President Elson S. Floyd announced that the Common Reading Program would be suspended due to budgetary constraints. However, according to the Spokesman-Review, “The Omnivore’s Dilemma” was pulled from the curriculum when Harold Cochran, a member of the board of regents, raised concerns about the depiction of agribusiness in the book.
Many students and professors expressed skepticism about the administration’s reasons for removing “Omnivore’s Dilemma” because the university had already purchased 4,000 copies of the book. In an Associated Press article, general education professor Jeff Sellen said, “Unless they wanted to have a big book-burning in the middle of Terrell Mall, I don’t see how they intended to save money by making this decision.”
Susan Poch, the associate vice president for Educational Development, Student Affairs, Equity and Diversity, said the program’s removal was primarily a budget issue and that it had already been slated for possible removal by the Academic Affairs Program Prioritization report. Discussing the future of the program, Poch added, “This could still be a watershed year for the program because of the budget crisis.”
Marler’s donation will cover the program’s financial shortfalls, including the cost of bringing Pollan to WSU. “I thought it would be important for the public to understand that WSU views freedom of speech and academic expression as something that is truly fundamental to its mission. I am pleased I could help in this regard,” Marler said, according to a WSU News Service release. Marler could not be reached for further comments on Friday.
Despite all of the events that transpired last week, little has changed. “The only thing that has changed is the distribution of the book,” Poch said. “Mr. Marler’s donation means that more students will have access to the book and that the author will be able to speak on campus.”
Although the book was reinstated, some still believe the university folded to political pressure. Assistant English professor Patricia Ericsson, who recommended the book to the Common Reading Program selection committee, maintains that the book’s removal was due to political pressure from the board of regents and not the budget crisis.
The Common Reading Program is entering its third year at WSU. Its goals are to start discussions amongst students and to introduce them to the numerous research projects at WSU, Karen Weathermon, Director of WSU Learning Communities and Freshman Focus, said.
The two previous book selections, Gina Kolata’s “Flu: The Story of the Great Influenza Pandemic and the Search for the Virus that Caused It” and Mary Roach’s “Stiff: The Curious Life of Human Cadavers” did not stir as much debate as this year’s selection. “We knew the book could be controversial due to Mr. Pollan’s viewpoints and WSU’s role in the Washington agriculture industry,” Poch said. “However, judging how people might react to a book is hard to do."
While thousands of copies of the book remained packaged, waiting to be distributed at Alive! sessions this summer, the fate of the book and the Common Reading Program dangled in the balance until WSU alumnus William Marler promised on Wednesday to donate $40,000 to help reinstate the program and the controversial book.
Concern about the book emerged in April, when WSU President Elson S. Floyd announced that the Common Reading Program would be suspended due to budgetary constraints. However, according to the Spokesman-Review, “The Omnivore’s Dilemma” was pulled from the curriculum when Harold Cochran, a member of the board of regents, raised concerns about the depiction of agribusiness in the book.
Many students and professors expressed skepticism about the administration’s reasons for removing “Omnivore’s Dilemma” because the university had already purchased 4,000 copies of the book. In an Associated Press article, general education professor Jeff Sellen said, “Unless they wanted to have a big book-burning in the middle of Terrell Mall, I don’t see how they intended to save money by making this decision.”
Susan Poch, the associate vice president for Educational Development, Student Affairs, Equity and Diversity, said the program’s removal was primarily a budget issue and that it had already been slated for possible removal by the Academic Affairs Program Prioritization report. Discussing the future of the program, Poch added, “This could still be a watershed year for the program because of the budget crisis.”
Marler’s donation will cover the program’s financial shortfalls, including the cost of bringing Pollan to WSU. “I thought it would be important for the public to understand that WSU views freedom of speech and academic expression as something that is truly fundamental to its mission. I am pleased I could help in this regard,” Marler said, according to a WSU News Service release. Marler could not be reached for further comments on Friday.
Despite all of the events that transpired last week, little has changed. “The only thing that has changed is the distribution of the book,” Poch said. “Mr. Marler’s donation means that more students will have access to the book and that the author will be able to speak on campus.”
Although the book was reinstated, some still believe the university folded to political pressure. Assistant English professor Patricia Ericsson, who recommended the book to the Common Reading Program selection committee, maintains that the book’s removal was due to political pressure from the board of regents and not the budget crisis.
The Common Reading Program is entering its third year at WSU. Its goals are to start discussions amongst students and to introduce them to the numerous research projects at WSU, Karen Weathermon, Director of WSU Learning Communities and Freshman Focus, said.
The two previous book selections, Gina Kolata’s “Flu: The Story of the Great Influenza Pandemic and the Search for the Virus that Caused It” and Mary Roach’s “Stiff: The Curious Life of Human Cadavers” did not stir as much debate as this year’s selection. “We knew the book could be controversial due to Mr. Pollan’s viewpoints and WSU’s role in the Washington agriculture industry,” Poch said. “However, judging how people might react to a book is hard to do."
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Feeding the Beast
The growth of 24-hour news stations, such as CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, and FOX NEWS, created a demand for an inexhaustible flow of stories and guests. However, the nightly news programs on the three major networks struggle to find enough real news to fill the small allotments of time between the commercials every weekday, so the relentless need for up-to-the-minute broadcasts on cable news stations leads to a high volume of stories with hyped or exaggerated value. The news sources featured in the documentary have a fairly easy job; most of them are beat reporters who file a story everyday. Sitting around conference tables, the editors and journalists democratically debate the value of each proposed story and provide needed feedback to their coworkers. Sources appear to be screened and biases are at least addressed in these mainstream outlets. This vetting process is highly suspect and probably less rigid in the newsrooms of cable networks.
Feeding the beast by pumping the airwaves full of pundits, cable news somehow turned into the nightmarish prophecy described by Paddy Chayefsky in the film Network. Anchors assuming the role of demagogues, sensationalism eclipsing real news and ratings becoming the defining characteristic of news.
Every single night, network and cable news shows rerun the exact same episode. First, a suicide bombing is reported; then, the threat of a new pandemic is analyzed; and finally, a human interest story leaves the viewer with a warm, happy feeling.
Cable news is a vast wasteland for political discourse and what it lacks in thought, it makes up for it with egomaniacal hosts. Nearly every corner of CNN, MSNBC, and FOX News is permeated with programs that sensationalize the mundane and turn unsubstantiated rumors into political talking points. With news coverage that schizophrenically shifts from hyperbole to opinion to news to hyperbole, it is easy to see why so many disaffected Americans abandoned reality for the far extremes of political lunacy. Hard news is not even expected from the networks. Reporters that pound the pavement and track down sources--like the ones chronicled in the documentary--are becoming few and far between. Instead, opinions are now streamlined into the public’s veins like an IV drip.
The changing of the guard that occurred with President Barack Obama’s Inauguration was not limited to the White House. Media coverage of the event reflected a similar shift in American power. Television, newspapers, radio--every news medium underwent a shift. The bombastic punditry of Fox News was replaced with the bombastic punditry of MSNBC. A study of the inner workings at FOX or MSNBC would be just as revelatory as this documentary. If the press is supposed to be the ubiquitous gatekeeper of the news, then they have strayed away from their objectives.
Cultivating a democratic populace is reliant on an informed citizenry with a respect for the convictions of others. This state of mind is difficult to obtain, especially on vexing issues, but continually questioning the news and how it is conveyed to the viewer is a tenant in democracy.
Feeding the beast by pumping the airwaves full of pundits, cable news somehow turned into the nightmarish prophecy described by Paddy Chayefsky in the film Network. Anchors assuming the role of demagogues, sensationalism eclipsing real news and ratings becoming the defining characteristic of news.
Every single night, network and cable news shows rerun the exact same episode. First, a suicide bombing is reported; then, the threat of a new pandemic is analyzed; and finally, a human interest story leaves the viewer with a warm, happy feeling.
Cable news is a vast wasteland for political discourse and what it lacks in thought, it makes up for it with egomaniacal hosts. Nearly every corner of CNN, MSNBC, and FOX News is permeated with programs that sensationalize the mundane and turn unsubstantiated rumors into political talking points. With news coverage that schizophrenically shifts from hyperbole to opinion to news to hyperbole, it is easy to see why so many disaffected Americans abandoned reality for the far extremes of political lunacy. Hard news is not even expected from the networks. Reporters that pound the pavement and track down sources--like the ones chronicled in the documentary--are becoming few and far between. Instead, opinions are now streamlined into the public’s veins like an IV drip.
The changing of the guard that occurred with President Barack Obama’s Inauguration was not limited to the White House. Media coverage of the event reflected a similar shift in American power. Television, newspapers, radio--every news medium underwent a shift. The bombastic punditry of Fox News was replaced with the bombastic punditry of MSNBC. A study of the inner workings at FOX or MSNBC would be just as revelatory as this documentary. If the press is supposed to be the ubiquitous gatekeeper of the news, then they have strayed away from their objectives.
Cultivating a democratic populace is reliant on an informed citizenry with a respect for the convictions of others. This state of mind is difficult to obtain, especially on vexing issues, but continually questioning the news and how it is conveyed to the viewer is a tenant in democracy.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
Bone contract attracts criticism
The disclosure of the financial terms stated in Washington State University’s contract with Ken Bone, the new men’s basketball coach, last Wednesday aroused a variety of opinions across campus.
As the university faces widespread departmental cuts and students are burdened with increasing tuition costs, some students felt the contract was slightly excessive. According to the seven-year contract, Bone will be guaranteed $650,000 for his first season and $100,000 increases in “supplemental compensation” for the two subsequent seasons, plus benefits.
Bone’s contract places him in the lowest-paid tier of Pac-10 men’s basketball coaches. Tony Bennett, Bone’s predecessor, earned upwards of $1 million during his final year, including incentives. Other Pac-10 head coaches such as University of Arizona coach Sean Miller reportedly signed a $2 million contract, while University of California Los Angeles coach Ben Howland made approximately $1.8 million last season, according to The Seattle Times.
A number of students felt the lucrative contract highlighted the university’s priorities, placing athletics over academics. “It is ridiculous to the see the amount of money being spent by the athletic department,” sophomore Ann L. Hoag said. “They spend so much money.”
Other students felt the contract was appropriate despite the university’s current economic hardships. Senior Bryan A. Wagoner, a social sciences major, said, “Getting a good coach is a priority because sports bring so much growth to the university.” Men’s basketball was the only quality outlet for sports fans this year in Pullman, Wagoner added.
Despite the debates surrounding the contract, students unanimously agreed that Bone has some large shoes to fill. Bennett posted a 69-33 record and led the Cougars to three postseason births during his three seasons as head coach before departing Pullman in April for the University of Virginia.
Some discontent surrounding Bennett’s departure lingered, but students seemed mostly satisfied with the selection of Bone as head coach. “Bone is a proven coach,” said Wagoner. “He took a mediocre team at Portland State and made them winners.”
According to reports by The Daily Evergreen following Bone’s hiring, many of the players expressed approval with the university’s hasty search for a replacement. Senior forward Nikola Koprivica told The Daily Evergreen that the team knew the university was searching for the best candidate and that they made a fine decision.
Discussing Bone’s contract, sophomore guard Nicholas M. Witherill said, “It is quite a lot of money, but it is a good investment for the university.” As for some of the contract’s perks that have drawn scorn from critics, such as a $100,000 bonus for every Final Four appearance, Witherill said the bonus would be appropriate because a Final Four appearance helps attract recruits and builds a strong program.
Commenting on the university’s budget cuts in The Daily Evergreen, WSU Athletics Director Jim Sterk said the athletic department has taken measures to curb expenses in its $30 million dollar annual budget. The department, which has the smallest budget of any Pac-10 school, is beginning to feel the strain of the economy. Preliminary budget cuts announced earlier this month by the university will reduce the department’s budget by $350,000 over the next two years, further reducing their ability to hire new coaches.
As the university faces widespread departmental cuts and students are burdened with increasing tuition costs, some students felt the contract was slightly excessive. According to the seven-year contract, Bone will be guaranteed $650,000 for his first season and $100,000 increases in “supplemental compensation” for the two subsequent seasons, plus benefits.
Bone’s contract places him in the lowest-paid tier of Pac-10 men’s basketball coaches. Tony Bennett, Bone’s predecessor, earned upwards of $1 million during his final year, including incentives. Other Pac-10 head coaches such as University of Arizona coach Sean Miller reportedly signed a $2 million contract, while University of California Los Angeles coach Ben Howland made approximately $1.8 million last season, according to The Seattle Times.
A number of students felt the lucrative contract highlighted the university’s priorities, placing athletics over academics. “It is ridiculous to the see the amount of money being spent by the athletic department,” sophomore Ann L. Hoag said. “They spend so much money.”
Other students felt the contract was appropriate despite the university’s current economic hardships. Senior Bryan A. Wagoner, a social sciences major, said, “Getting a good coach is a priority because sports bring so much growth to the university.” Men’s basketball was the only quality outlet for sports fans this year in Pullman, Wagoner added.
Despite the debates surrounding the contract, students unanimously agreed that Bone has some large shoes to fill. Bennett posted a 69-33 record and led the Cougars to three postseason births during his three seasons as head coach before departing Pullman in April for the University of Virginia.
Some discontent surrounding Bennett’s departure lingered, but students seemed mostly satisfied with the selection of Bone as head coach. “Bone is a proven coach,” said Wagoner. “He took a mediocre team at Portland State and made them winners.”
According to reports by The Daily Evergreen following Bone’s hiring, many of the players expressed approval with the university’s hasty search for a replacement. Senior forward Nikola Koprivica told The Daily Evergreen that the team knew the university was searching for the best candidate and that they made a fine decision.
Discussing Bone’s contract, sophomore guard Nicholas M. Witherill said, “It is quite a lot of money, but it is a good investment for the university.” As for some of the contract’s perks that have drawn scorn from critics, such as a $100,000 bonus for every Final Four appearance, Witherill said the bonus would be appropriate because a Final Four appearance helps attract recruits and builds a strong program.
Commenting on the university’s budget cuts in The Daily Evergreen, WSU Athletics Director Jim Sterk said the athletic department has taken measures to curb expenses in its $30 million dollar annual budget. The department, which has the smallest budget of any Pac-10 school, is beginning to feel the strain of the economy. Preliminary budget cuts announced earlier this month by the university will reduce the department’s budget by $350,000 over the next two years, further reducing their ability to hire new coaches.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
Editor Pitches: Reporting Assignment
Dear Editor,
Pitch 1: An analysis of the Athletic Department’s budget and its appropriation of funds has yet to be investigated by The Summer Evergreen. Majors are being cut, tuition is increasing, enrollment numbers are bound to change and yet the athletic department is still making lavish per diem payments to student athletes in Pullman. Ken Bone, the new men’s basketball coach, will be earning upwards of a half-million dollars per season despite cutbacks to the majority of the colleges. The goal would be to answer the question What does this say about the university's priorities.
Caveats: Opinions could easily find there way into the article and access could be another issue. Many key sources may not want to discuss the department’s finances given the current cutbacks.
Pitch 2: A large number of students who planned on enrolling in summer classes dropped at the last second, leading to an apparent dip in student enrollment for summer courses. This sudden plunge is more than likely due to the economy. Students were forced to decide between earning a couple credits or trying to earn money for the fall semester. Possible sources include professors and students whose classes were cancelled, employees in the registrar’s office and possibly local business owners who feel the effects of having fewer customers. This could be a panorama of a community and how it is managing to get by during the first summer of the current economic downfall.
Pitch 3: Governor Gregoire is set to sign a law that imposes harsher regulation on payday loans in Washington. Many college students rely on payday loans despite the high interest rates and numerous other drawbacks. In order to provide a human element to the story, interviewing people who not only take payday loans but also those who make the loans would be a necessity. If I could find a couple local payday locations and talk to their customers, readers will be able to understand why these loans created such a lucrative market.
Sincerely,
Gavin Mathis
Pitch 1: An analysis of the Athletic Department’s budget and its appropriation of funds has yet to be investigated by The Summer Evergreen. Majors are being cut, tuition is increasing, enrollment numbers are bound to change and yet the athletic department is still making lavish per diem payments to student athletes in Pullman. Ken Bone, the new men’s basketball coach, will be earning upwards of a half-million dollars per season despite cutbacks to the majority of the colleges. The goal would be to answer the question What does this say about the university's priorities.
Caveats: Opinions could easily find there way into the article and access could be another issue. Many key sources may not want to discuss the department’s finances given the current cutbacks.
Pitch 2: A large number of students who planned on enrolling in summer classes dropped at the last second, leading to an apparent dip in student enrollment for summer courses. This sudden plunge is more than likely due to the economy. Students were forced to decide between earning a couple credits or trying to earn money for the fall semester. Possible sources include professors and students whose classes were cancelled, employees in the registrar’s office and possibly local business owners who feel the effects of having fewer customers. This could be a panorama of a community and how it is managing to get by during the first summer of the current economic downfall.
Pitch 3: Governor Gregoire is set to sign a law that imposes harsher regulation on payday loans in Washington. Many college students rely on payday loans despite the high interest rates and numerous other drawbacks. In order to provide a human element to the story, interviewing people who not only take payday loans but also those who make the loans would be a necessity. If I could find a couple local payday locations and talk to their customers, readers will be able to understand why these loans created such a lucrative market.
Sincerely,
Gavin Mathis
Thursday, May 14, 2009
New York, New York
Numerous American cities are losing one or--in some cases--all of their daily newspapers. New York, on the other hand, has numerous papers vying for readership. The New York Times, New York Post, New York Daily News, and The Wall Street Journal work to carve out niches in the market for their special brand of reporting. Each of their websites displays the news in a manner that reflects their target demographics. Examining these different websites and their respective front pages allows readers to understand each papers’ framing techniques and appreciate the need for a ubiquitous press in every major city.
The New York Times is essentially a national newspaper, an authoritative voice of record, featuring a wide array of local, national, and international news stories produced by their own reporters. Long considered to be a bastion of liberal thought, the Times’ editorial page is consistently liberal, but they employ several conservative op-ed columnists. Displaying the classic moniker “All the news that’s fit to print” at the top of the front page, The New York Times works diligently to incorporate a collection of articles for people of varying interests. Whether it is politics, economics, or entertainment, the Times’ website features something for everyone.
The New York Daily News is a less authoritative publication that presents news geared towards people who take the subway to work in the morning. Because the paper features an extensive metro section, Mort Zuckerman, the publisher of the New York Daily News, unabashedly calls his daily “a transit paper.” There is nothing wrong with gearing news towards a particular audience, but it prevents the paper from achieving the same circulation as The New York Times.
As for Rupert Murdoch’s two newspapers, The Wall Street Journal and the New York Post could not be more different. The Wall Street Journal has maintained its readership amongst businessmen while expanding into new territory since the paper was purchased by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. two years ago. Murdoch’s sensationalist brand of yellow journalism has yet to creep onto the pages of the Journal, whereas the Post is only a minor step above tabloids such as The National Enquirer.
Every newspaper--the Times, the Journal, the Post, and the Daily News--disseminate a different reality of the same events because every publication is constrained by its own professional standards and the viewpoints of the people working for the paper. What emerges from these multiple and diffuse viewpoints is a harsh rebuke of the press’s classic image as a pursuer of truth.
Print journalism is a very blunt narrative. Journalists strip the English language down to the bare necessities to prevent preconceived notions from entering their work. Disseminating the news is not the only job of the press, they are also obligated to pursue the truth of the subject with extreme haste and accuracy. But based on the articles published in mainstream New York newspapers, the coverage of national events can be promoted in a variety of ways.
Every communication medium--whether it be newspapers, magazines, government documents, photographs, or film--is capable of representing the same event in dramatically different ways. It is often said that history is written by the victors or the powerful. According to Noam Chomsky, through the selection of topics, the framing of issues, and the filtering of information, the press and the government are capable of keeping debate within the confines of acceptable premises. The varying representations of the world in New York’s major publication illustrate this phenomena and how the reporter’s role in the free press sometimes comes into conflict with their loyalties to the nation and their profession.
When evaluating information, the viewer has the responsibility to determine the validity of a message and decide how to interpret that message. Kenneth Burke, a philosopher and language theorist, believed humans were symbol using animals and that reality is constructed through the use of these symbols. Once a reader understands that language is the use of symbols to communicate concepts, they are more likely to recognize the motivating factors behind each newspaper’s representation of the same event. The Fourth Estate’s capacity to convey information in a variety of ways is on full display every morning in New York, where the differences in representation force the populace to look beyond the text and into the context of the stories they read. Once this occurs, the people of New York are more able to determine their own beliefs and actions in their daily lives.
The New York Times is essentially a national newspaper, an authoritative voice of record, featuring a wide array of local, national, and international news stories produced by their own reporters. Long considered to be a bastion of liberal thought, the Times’ editorial page is consistently liberal, but they employ several conservative op-ed columnists. Displaying the classic moniker “All the news that’s fit to print” at the top of the front page, The New York Times works diligently to incorporate a collection of articles for people of varying interests. Whether it is politics, economics, or entertainment, the Times’ website features something for everyone.
The New York Daily News is a less authoritative publication that presents news geared towards people who take the subway to work in the morning. Because the paper features an extensive metro section, Mort Zuckerman, the publisher of the New York Daily News, unabashedly calls his daily “a transit paper.” There is nothing wrong with gearing news towards a particular audience, but it prevents the paper from achieving the same circulation as The New York Times.
As for Rupert Murdoch’s two newspapers, The Wall Street Journal and the New York Post could not be more different. The Wall Street Journal has maintained its readership amongst businessmen while expanding into new territory since the paper was purchased by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. two years ago. Murdoch’s sensationalist brand of yellow journalism has yet to creep onto the pages of the Journal, whereas the Post is only a minor step above tabloids such as The National Enquirer.
Every newspaper--the Times, the Journal, the Post, and the Daily News--disseminate a different reality of the same events because every publication is constrained by its own professional standards and the viewpoints of the people working for the paper. What emerges from these multiple and diffuse viewpoints is a harsh rebuke of the press’s classic image as a pursuer of truth.
Print journalism is a very blunt narrative. Journalists strip the English language down to the bare necessities to prevent preconceived notions from entering their work. Disseminating the news is not the only job of the press, they are also obligated to pursue the truth of the subject with extreme haste and accuracy. But based on the articles published in mainstream New York newspapers, the coverage of national events can be promoted in a variety of ways.
Every communication medium--whether it be newspapers, magazines, government documents, photographs, or film--is capable of representing the same event in dramatically different ways. It is often said that history is written by the victors or the powerful. According to Noam Chomsky, through the selection of topics, the framing of issues, and the filtering of information, the press and the government are capable of keeping debate within the confines of acceptable premises. The varying representations of the world in New York’s major publication illustrate this phenomena and how the reporter’s role in the free press sometimes comes into conflict with their loyalties to the nation and their profession.
When evaluating information, the viewer has the responsibility to determine the validity of a message and decide how to interpret that message. Kenneth Burke, a philosopher and language theorist, believed humans were symbol using animals and that reality is constructed through the use of these symbols. Once a reader understands that language is the use of symbols to communicate concepts, they are more likely to recognize the motivating factors behind each newspaper’s representation of the same event. The Fourth Estate’s capacity to convey information in a variety of ways is on full display every morning in New York, where the differences in representation force the populace to look beyond the text and into the context of the stories they read. Once this occurs, the people of New York are more able to determine their own beliefs and actions in their daily lives.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
The convergence of media in the Amazon
Fermenting beneath the harsh rays of the equatorial sunlight, pools of black sludge created from years of harmful environmental practices by oil companies dart the Ecuadorian landscapes. Such a disastrous use of the American landscape would warrant an immediate investigation and legal action--not to mention hours of press coverage. However, years of preliminary court proceedings have finally earned the people of Ecuador a day in court. Riddled with all the elements of a John Grisham novel, the story of the Ecuadorian people and their struggle for damages took a foray into another highly-debated issue due to a public relations effort initiated by Chevron: the role of the press and the convergence of media.
A “60 Minutes” investigative report that cast light on the oil company’s practices and the travails of the Ecuadorian people gathered criticism even before its May 3 airing on CBS. Reported by Scott Pelley, the “60 Minutes” story is a strong representation of the Murrow Standard despite an overemphasis on promoting the human interest aspect of the story rather than delving into the stacks of scientific and legal documents. Edward R. Murrow never withdrew from utilizing pathos in his work. “Harvest of Shame” places the audience into the lives of migrant workers, forcing even the most cynical person to empathize with the subject. Pelley employs a similar method to convey the cost of corporate malfeasance and the conflict besetting the plaintiffs and the defendants.
Masquerading around as news, the Chevron public relations piece, which was posted on the internet three weeks before the “60 Minutes” report aired, systematically smears members of the opposition. One at a time, Chevron attempts to discredit each of the plaintiffs’ lawyers by essentially calling them ambulance chasers and “New York litigants”--code words for elitists. Not since the Brown and Williamson Tobacco Company orchestrated a similar campaign to discredit Jeffrey Wigand, a former employee and corporate whistleblower, has a corporation utilized the media so effectively to promote their side of the story. Interestingly enough, “60 Minutes” was the investigative body behind both stories.
The oil’s company’s rebuttal is obviously biased, but the rhetoric saturating the production is found in the “60 Minutes” piece as well. Waste is referred to as “production water” and when Pelley mentioned Ecuador’s president Rafael Correa, he framed the conflict in a capitalism vs. socialism construct. Describing the issue this way coerces the audience to view the president’s motives through an unsympathetic prism rather than judge the merit of his position. In addition, Pelley failed to interview a key voice for the litigants: Richard Cabrera. I’m not sure if Cabrera was merely unable to comment or if his interview was cut to help support one side of the story, but either reason leaves many question to be answered.
The differences between the “60 Minutes” report and Chevron’s public relations campaign highlight the dichotomy between the old journalism paradigm promoted by Edward R. Murrow and the new standards of journalism where lines are blurred, events are distorted and the truth is suspect.
A “60 Minutes” investigative report that cast light on the oil company’s practices and the travails of the Ecuadorian people gathered criticism even before its May 3 airing on CBS. Reported by Scott Pelley, the “60 Minutes” story is a strong representation of the Murrow Standard despite an overemphasis on promoting the human interest aspect of the story rather than delving into the stacks of scientific and legal documents. Edward R. Murrow never withdrew from utilizing pathos in his work. “Harvest of Shame” places the audience into the lives of migrant workers, forcing even the most cynical person to empathize with the subject. Pelley employs a similar method to convey the cost of corporate malfeasance and the conflict besetting the plaintiffs and the defendants.
Masquerading around as news, the Chevron public relations piece, which was posted on the internet three weeks before the “60 Minutes” report aired, systematically smears members of the opposition. One at a time, Chevron attempts to discredit each of the plaintiffs’ lawyers by essentially calling them ambulance chasers and “New York litigants”--code words for elitists. Not since the Brown and Williamson Tobacco Company orchestrated a similar campaign to discredit Jeffrey Wigand, a former employee and corporate whistleblower, has a corporation utilized the media so effectively to promote their side of the story. Interestingly enough, “60 Minutes” was the investigative body behind both stories.
The oil’s company’s rebuttal is obviously biased, but the rhetoric saturating the production is found in the “60 Minutes” piece as well. Waste is referred to as “production water” and when Pelley mentioned Ecuador’s president Rafael Correa, he framed the conflict in a capitalism vs. socialism construct. Describing the issue this way coerces the audience to view the president’s motives through an unsympathetic prism rather than judge the merit of his position. In addition, Pelley failed to interview a key voice for the litigants: Richard Cabrera. I’m not sure if Cabrera was merely unable to comment or if his interview was cut to help support one side of the story, but either reason leaves many question to be answered.
The differences between the “60 Minutes” report and Chevron’s public relations campaign highlight the dichotomy between the old journalism paradigm promoted by Edward R. Murrow and the new standards of journalism where lines are blurred, events are distorted and the truth is suspect.
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