US media
so after trying to surf HRW to find something that hasn't yet been addressed on the blog or in class, i came across this article about the Colombia news media that i found interesting. they are being charged by the Pres. for basically reporting the truth.
"Over the last 2 weeks, major news media have extensively reported on allegations of paramilitary infiltration of the Colombian executive branch's intelligence agency, targeted killings of labor union leaders and academics, and electoral fraud in the 2002 presidential elections. President Uribe has reacted by charging the news media with being dishonest and malicious, and with harming Colombian democratic institutions."
the article then started those little wheels in my brain to start turning, remembering what i've been learning about in leighton's Clash of Civilizations course about the cartoon controversy in Europe and throughout the majority of the world. the questions brought about how far is too far in the media world and the role of the media (which is, if i'm not correct, to INFORM to public and present events and opinions of the public). censorship has been an issue for the media since it's invention and the U.S. still feels the bite of the government on issues today. but this article forced me to step back for a moment and for once be thankful i live in the United States, yes full of ignorance and righteiousness as we can be at times, the freedoms we hold, although sometimes still neglected, throw almost every other country out of the water. just imagine for a moment if the New York Times or CNN was charged by Bush for reporting on botched elections - the country would be in an uproar. don't get me wrong, i've done my share of complaining about the governments influence on the media here and how we don't ever know what's really going on in the world - but, i able to sit in the privacy of my own room and look up information (true or false) about the effectiveness of my government at any given moment without facing charges and all i'm saying is for that i am thankful.
"Over the last 2 weeks, major news media have extensively reported on allegations of paramilitary infiltration of the Colombian executive branch's intelligence agency, targeted killings of labor union leaders and academics, and electoral fraud in the 2002 presidential elections. President Uribe has reacted by charging the news media with being dishonest and malicious, and with harming Colombian democratic institutions."
the article then started those little wheels in my brain to start turning, remembering what i've been learning about in leighton's Clash of Civilizations course about the cartoon controversy in Europe and throughout the majority of the world. the questions brought about how far is too far in the media world and the role of the media (which is, if i'm not correct, to INFORM to public and present events and opinions of the public). censorship has been an issue for the media since it's invention and the U.S. still feels the bite of the government on issues today. but this article forced me to step back for a moment and for once be thankful i live in the United States, yes full of ignorance and righteiousness as we can be at times, the freedoms we hold, although sometimes still neglected, throw almost every other country out of the water. just imagine for a moment if the New York Times or CNN was charged by Bush for reporting on botched elections - the country would be in an uproar. don't get me wrong, i've done my share of complaining about the governments influence on the media here and how we don't ever know what's really going on in the world - but, i able to sit in the privacy of my own room and look up information (true or false) about the effectiveness of my government at any given moment without facing charges and all i'm saying is for that i am thankful.
posted by rootsandwings | 10:33 PM
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