Over the years we've noted with wonder and awe the dedication shown by US Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Houston, at the annual State of the Union speech.
She seems to be everywhere in her quest for face time (and TV time) with whomever happens to be president.
Other people have noticed, too, which leads us to share this item we spotted today.
Is time for journalists to declare who or what they believe in before they go about the business of gathering and reporting news?
Media critic Alan D. Mutter think so.
Says Mutter:
journalists not only possess valuable insights into the matters they cover but also have an absolute obligation to share their perspectives with the public after diligently gleaning all sides of a story in an ethical and open-minded manner.
For journalists to be able to report effectively on the news and its significance, we have to replace the intellectually indefensible pretense of objectivity with a more authentic standard that journalists actually can live up to.
The way to do that is to treat the public like adults by providing the clearest possible understanding of who is delivering news and commentary – and where they are coming from. Hence, the following proposal:
Let’s take advantage of the openness and inexhaustible space of the Internet to have every journalist publish a detailed statement of political, personal and financial interests at her home website and perhaps even in a well publicized national registry. Full disclosure would enable consumers to make their own informed judgments about the potential biases and believability of any journalist.
This standard will work as well for journalists and media outlets committed to down-the-middle reporting as those desiring to express a point of view.
A superb example of how detailed disclosure could work can be found at AllThingsD.Com, where co-editors Kara Swisher and Walt Mossberg unsparingly bare their personal interests.
One last thing, especially for those who don’t work in Houston. I think it’s appropriate to make sure we understand the purpose behind the top editorial award we give every year: The Tom Jacobs Community Service Award. Tom served as editor of the Pearland and Friendswood Journals before his passing a little more than a year ago (Nov. 12, 2009, to be precise). He was one of the kindest men you’d ever meet, but he had an incredible tone with his pen. He could make readers laugh, and he could make public officials squeamish. He knew how to stand up for his readers, and the priority of his newspapers was always to put the good of the community ahead of any one individual.
You can read more about the winner in the attachment, but I thought it would be nice to include a photo of the inaugural award, given to Mike Reed of the Examiner Newspapers for his incredibly thorough coverage of Houston’s public transportation system. Mike literally stayed three steps ahead of every media outlet, breaking story after story about some of the corruption in Metro’s plan for construction of a light rail through chunks of the Examiner coverage area. The results of Mike’s reporting were far-reaching, to say the least. The chairman and CEO of Metro offered his resignation; the federal government launched an investigation into Metro’s funding application; the state opened an investigation into bond sale practices; the district attorney investigated potential criminal misconduct of Metro officers for not releasing public records; and the new mayor of Houston fired all city appointees on the Metro board. Mike would probably have us tell you he wasn’t the only one reporting on this “circus,” but media across the city gave him credit for leading the way.
Mike is a humble guy, but he should know Tom Jacobs would be proud, as are the rest of us.
Congratulations to Mike and the rest of our winners.
1. Ted Walsh - Horse Racing Commentator - 'This is really a lovely horse. I once rode her mother.'
2. New Zealand Rugby Commentator - 'Andrew Mehrtens loves it when Daryl Gibson comes inside of him.'
3. Pat Glenn, weightlifting commentator - 'And this is Gregoriava from Bulgaria . I saw her snatch this morning and it was amazing!'
4. Harry Carpenter at the Oxford-Cambridge boat race 1977 - 'Ah, isn't that nice. The wife of the Cambridge President is kissing the Cox of the Oxford crew.'
5. US PGA Commentator - 'One of the reasons Arnie (Arnold Palmer) is playing so well is that, before each tee shot, his wife takes out his balls and kisses them .... Oh my god !! What have I just said??'
6. Carenza Lewis about finding food in the Middle Ages on 'Time Team Live' said: 'You'd eat beaver if you could get it.'
7. A female news anchor who, the day after it was supposed to have snowed and didn't, turned to the weatherman and asked, 'So Bob, where's that eight inches you promised me last night?' Not only did HE have to leave the set, but half the crew did too, because they were laughing so hard!
8. Steve Ryder covering the US Masters: 'Ballesteros felt much better today after a 69 yesterday.'
9. Clair Frisby talking about a jumbo hot dog on Look North said: 'There's nothing like a big hot sausage inside you on a cold night like this. '
10 Mike Hallett discussing missed snooker shots on Sky Sports: 'Stephen Hendry jumps on Steve Davis's misses every chance he gets.'
11. Michael Buerk on watching Philippa Forrester cuddle up to a male astronomer for warmth during BBC1's UK eclipse coverage remarked: 'They seem cold out there, they're rubbing each other and he's only come in his shorts.'
12. Ken Brown commentating on golfer Nick Faldo and his caddie Fanny Sunneson lining-up shots at the Scottish Open: 'Some weeks Nick likes to use Fanny, other weeks he prefers to do it by himself.'
In a recent appearance on CNN with Anderson Cooper, I couldn't help but notice the congressman for the Fightin' 14th District (Brazosport & environs) is looking quite dapper, which is to say, better groomed than I remember, as well as healthier, more vital-looking and less harried.
What is going on? The guy is tan. No more Mr. Pasty Face.
In the embedded clip, he tells Mr. Cooper we are living in revolutionary times, that Keynesianism is in its death throes and that everyone is fed up with Washington.
On that last point, I do believe he's right. Point No. 1 and No. 2, I don't know.
But he's tan and has what appears to be a new suit. I would say that means he's fo' sho' running for President. What say you?
Offensive linemen never get much glory, but the lads on the Texans O-line get some now following the 230-yard rushing performance of Arian Foster last week against the Colts.
Isn't that nice?
This was in my inbox today. Kinda weird. I mean, I know I'm the "first blog martyr" (that's what I read anyway) but I haven't been real active in Bloggerville lately (sort of outta gas; know you can relate most likely) ... but still and all, I just don't see how can I help this feller ... (Also, I think he did something with which I disagreed at one point in his public service career, but for the life o' me I can't remember what it was) ...
Anyhow, here's the pitch:
Banjo,
In today’s rapidly changing world of digital media, bloggers such as you are becoming increasingly important sources of information about news and current events. That is why I want to invite you to join my campaign and become part of the Bloggers for Dewhurst coalition.
As a member of my blogger coalition, we will add you to the campaign blogroll and get you signed up for blogger exclusives from the campaign. If you are ever interested in a guest post on your blog, please let me know.
I would love to have you on the team so please reply back and let me know.
Keep up the good work with Brazosport News. I look forward to working with you, and reading your blog posts, as we head into the final months of the 2010 campaign!
Thanks,
- Lt Gov David Dewhurst
via Mike McGuff, who explains:
I've worked with TV news anchors who wear jeans and yes even shorts under the news desk during a newscast but just boxers? That is a new one for me.
The above anchor must have been concentrating hard on his show and when it was time to talk to his producer during the closing credits, he turns his chair around to reveal more than the audience bargained for. Could this be a ratings stunt? Fake video? I'll let you debate that.
I once tried wearing a Speedo for a week while I blogged, but didn't notice any improvement in my writing or content. In fact I think it just disgusted my wife. Guess this really doesn't have anything to do with the above video so I will just shut up now.
Almost 5 million have watched this documentary on the World Trade Center attacks of 9/11.
It tells the events of that day, but unlike other documentaries, it focuses on attempts after the attack to identify a man in an AP photo who chose to jump from the WTC before he asphyxiated or burned up.
Media critics likely will view it as further proof of the excesses of journalism, but for me, it's reinforcement of my view that we shouldn't be afraid of the truth, however painful it may be.
Are any of you ponying up the dough to read the online Facts if you are not a subscriber?
(I'm not, but that's beside the point.)
The reason I ask is that Mike McGuff has reported that the Houston paper decided a paywall wouldn't work.
Does The Facts know something the almighty Chron doesn't?
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