George Rebane
Was interested to see the nearby full-page ad in the 3jan18 WSJ. Given that ignorance, indifference, ideology, illiteracy, … are all qualities that often decorate and distinguish their ‘factual, fair, and balanced’ work products, RR has long viewed the journalism profession with a gimlet eye (here). But now things have apparently gotten so bad that international associations for journalists openly admit that “reporters worldwide” have come to report “falsehoods”, perhaps even unwittingly, for which now organizations such as the International Center for Journalists go to great pains to advertise their ability to “empower” workers in the field to “produce reliable coverage using new technologies and best practices(sic).” Well, then what kind of unreliable coverage have journalists been producing using their old technologies and sub-par practices?
In any case, this appears to be a step in the right direction when the industry begins to publicly admit that it has not been performing up to snuff while wallowing in the rising tide of fake news and “falsehoods”, much of it auto-generated to promote agendas and sustain favored ideological narratives. The ICFJ website is worth visiting. While their mission statement is commendable, methinks their orientation is not as innocent as they would have you believe. Mostly, I wonder what are their methods of ‘empowerment’. But since they are also funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, they can’t be all bad, can they?
So it begins, why does it sound like fake news will be anything that does not fit the official narrative?
https://www.politico.eu/pro/macron-proposes-new-law-against-fake-news/
;-)
Posted by: Don Bessee | 03 January 2018 at 11:56 AM
DB at 11:56 Typical left wing reaction to any abstract thing it wants to control. Pass a law against it. Just who gets to decide what is 'fake'?
The idea of education so that the people can spot the BS is out of the question. It would work too well and the people would start to see the BS in places they are not supposed to.
The thing most chilling in the text of that ICFJ ad is "Join us in supporting the truth tellers".
Ah - so the ICFJ has declared itself to be the knower, keeper and disseminator of truth. I would stay away from such folk.
Posted by: Account Deleted | 03 January 2018 at 02:18 PM
ScottO 218pm - Thanks Scott, I was hoping that someone would point out the marble pedestal on which ICFJ has placed itself - the standard and purveyor of Truth. They are indeed the self-appointed Keeper of Veritas.
Posted by: George Rebane | 03 January 2018 at 03:03 PM
Just so the children understand. It is one thing to proclaim that there is a truth and another that you are the truth. It is commendable to strive for it, but contemptible to claim you and truth occupy the same exact circle.
Posted by: Account Deleted | 03 January 2018 at 04:27 PM
Ha, ignorant Trump supplicants. You are witnessing the sunset of your glory. Be gone foul, undeserving citizens, America will be disowning you soon.
Posted by: Eric Anderson | 03 January 2018 at 09:26 PM
Oh Eric. Heard the exact same thing after Obama’s won in ‘08 and into early ‘09. They Republican Party is toast, regelated to a small regional party (Deeper South), never to rise from the ashes again. Hmmm. Seems the Democrat Party has a lot of ground to make up since that consensus filled the MSM Echo Chamber. I have no doubt that the Lefties will win a few dozen seats on some school boards and city councils. When you have lost that much terrority, the only way to go is up. Funny watching the Blue Wall come tumbling down....eight years later.
I know, I know. This time with be different. Pilate to Jesus, “What is truth?” I wash my hands of this matter.
Posted by: Bill Tozer | 03 January 2018 at 10:40 PM