What is journalism?

[Azrael]

I think the question can be boiled down to: Is journalism simply the act of producing and distributing reports. ... or does there need to be some degree of accuracy (and then, how do you measure accuracy?) for those reports to qualify as journalism.

Certainly 'journalism' and 'propaganda' are not interchangeable.

An argument can be made that when Ailes built FoxNews, he was doing so as a corrective to a lefty press. I disagree with that argument.

Because the mainstream press in this country has never been leftist, or even very 'liberal.'

Fox News may or may not be a newsgathering operation, but in prime time it has only ever been a right wing / Republican opinion megaphone.

So another question here is this: Is 'opinion journalism' really journalism?

When labeled as such, sure. That's why there's an OpEd page in the paper.

But presenting opinion as news - as straight reporting - is deception. Propaganda.

Very much on the order of excusing Limbaugh or Alex Jones - or Father Coughlin - as an 'entertainer.'

 

[Azrael]

The ignorance of their own ignorance is the danger, and that is largely because Fox News does not attempt to correct it, or even put things out there in a more balanced, two-(or more-) sided way so that people might realize at all that more consideration may even be needed. To combat ignorance is a big part of the role of good, real journalism, and this is where Fox News truly goes wrong.

But it's why FoxNews was founded.

FoxNews is working exactly as it was designed to work.

It's important to remember that.

 

[DanOregon]

What I've found interesting about the revelations in the last couple of days is that Fox News doesn't "guide" conservative thought, but follows whatever talking points will hold on to its viewers, true or not.

 

[WriteThinking]

Just wanted to post this, although there are similar stories on this and other threads.

'Huge blow': Analyst says new Dominion ruling is a game changer in 'potential blockbuster' Fox News trial

 

[Azrael]

I've posted about this story on the Politics board.

Whatever Bari Weiss is doing, it's not journalism. It's advocacy masquerading as journalism.

Like Taibbi (and Weiss) and Shellenberger at the so-called Twitter Files.

Same for her Free Press, and for the "University of Austin" - whatever and wherever that is.


Gender Fluid Teen Pushes Back Against 'False' Viral Story Their Mom Gave to Conservative Outlet

 

[Alma]

Whatever Bari Weiss is doing, it's not journalism. It's advocacy masquerading as journalism.

A lot of of that around these days, though, isn't there?

 

[Azrael]

A lot of of that around these days, though, isn't there?

That being the case, we certainly don't need more of it from Bari Weiss.

 

[Alma]

That being the case, we certainly don't need more of it from Bari Weiss.

I'm not real hip to Weiss' current work, though I did read the first Wash U. story from the person who worked there.

And I've liked Taibbi's work quite a bit at times...but I find the last 2-3 months of stuff pretty impenetrable.

 

[Azrael]

Bad faith and bad practice.

Bari Weiss journalism.

Remember this?

I Thought I Was Saving Trans Kids. Now I'm Blowing the Whistle.

Consider this.



Maybe the University of Austin can look into it.

also

Really the great age of bad, bad journalism.



oops



Emily Yoffe, likewise. Bad.

 

[Azrael]

Like Greenwald, Taibbi is off the rails.

Who edits these guys?

No one.

 

[Alma]

Like Greenwald, Taibbi is off the rails.

Who edits these guys?

No one.

I'm not sure I've ever read Greenwald.

 

[Azrael]

Like Greenwald, Taibbi is off the rails.

Who edits these guys?

No one.

goin' great!