Yellow Journalism Fiasco

It is hard to fathom that in the history of United States, there was a time when journalism was solely a brand of sensationalism and not even a bit reflective of the truth. It is a frightening prospect to blindly believe what you read not knowing that it is all false. At the end of the nineteenth century, citizens were greatly deceived and manipulated by two powerful publishers. The two infamous men were Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst. The rivalry of these two men tarnished the purpose of journalism back then creating sensationalism known as "yellow journalism." William Randolph Hearst alone instigated the war against the Spanish in Cuba. Hearst hired reporters and people to create atrocious fake stories that fueled the nation's anger. He was immoral and selfish concerned to win only his dispute.

Ultimately, the lies Pulitzer's and Hearst's paper published cost the nation their rationality and dignity. The principles of journalism were badly abused and the people were deprived of the truth they deserved. It was and is a peril when the power one individual holds has the capability to destroy so many. The society we live in any given time conditions most of us to simply believe and as a result it is hard for us to see clearly. It often takes history for people to unfold the reality of a situation. It is wise to pay attention to the history for they say it repeats itself. Today, we know the principles of exemplary journalism, but let us not stop doubting the shadows that cover the truth.

Checkpoint

Walter Lippman one once said that, "there can be no liberty for a community which lacks the information by which to detect lies. "In today's rapidly advancing society Lippman's words mean more significance as we try to sort through the numerous information and sources to verify what is true. The principles of journalism are essential for ethics and standards to be followed marginally.
Journalism's third and one of the most important principle is the process of verification without which a story would have no credibility.

Essentially the history of today's first draft will be recorded first through journalism. If the process of verification is not upheld, then there would be no accuracy. The few newspaper of today's standard barrier are New York Times, Washington Post, and Los Angles Times. Although it is a difficult task to fully be able to follow the principles of journalism, the process of verification is a checkpoint that draws the margin for journalism at its best.

Stuck in the Race?

It is crunch time for both political parties as we near closer to the verdict of America’s next leadership. During this crucial time, the citizens have to look at this presidential race closer in order to ultimately help America’s future economy. However, it appears that the citizen and the media are failing to see the big picture. It is 2008 and the presidential elections’ issues are stuck in the matters of race, and not practicality. Wall Street has crashed, and we are still at war. So much is at risk, yet the mob is stuck in the world of ignorance. For Mr. Barack Obama, the Democratic presidential nominee, race has become the barrier and not disposition. The consensus of the Republican crowds are suspicious of a black president, even if he would be better economically. The logic of ignorance over objectivity is appalling.

America the diverse, and the so called melting pot is at odds even with the stakes looming. Its unfortunate how the open mindedness of some can be hindered by the many uneducated. Black and white is not so simple in the matters of politics even after our history of progress. Voters are openly claiming to support Mr. McCain simply because he is white, and because he is the “suitable” candidate for presidency. The Republican crowds have called Mr. Obama Arab, Muslim, friend of terrorists, traitor,radical, communist and so much more that have no grounds. Most claim to approve of Ms. Sarah Palin even though they have heard of Mr. Obama years before. With the mob of consensus the logic is that Mr. McCain, and Ms. Sarah Palin are more familiar and perhaps more “American.” The merits of intelligence and leadership stand no chance with this mentality of ignorance.

Dodge Ball: Debate and the Future

As we try to make sense of all the major alterations Americans are facing today, it is difficult to be sure of anything. With the fear of economic downfall, and many unanswered questions, this time of uncertainty has become more doubtful with the presidential campaign becoming haywire. As Americans tuned in to watch the second presidential debate there were no definitive answers. Instead, we watched two men, and in particular an older gentleman act not so proper playing the blame game. Mr. McCain and Mr. Obama's intense debate of 90 minutes revealed no progression, but the event definitely gave the citizens a glimpse of the two candidates judgment of character.

Aside from the policies and promises presented by the two candidates, what can we truly know about the men from their demeanor? It would be gullible to simply believe all the promises the candidate makes will be fulfilled. So if we cannot trust them on the candidate's words, we can only go with our gut feelings to determine the better man in actuality by their character and not by how they are portrayed. It was evident during the debate that Mr. McCain was faltering under pressure as he seemed to step out of his charm, and be impolitely brazen. With his repeated phrases such as "my friends," and downgrading reference to Mr. Obama as "that one," Mr. McCain surely tarnished his maverick image. In contrast, Mr. Obama appeared to answer the questions to the best of his knowledge as he sincerely agreed and disagreed with Mr. McCain's policies. Mr. Obama stuck to his reputation of speaking eloquently with specifics, while giving his opponent respect.

Round two of the presidential debate revealed Mr. Obama as the better candidate as far as character is questioned. Mr. McCain has little time to do damage control, as he seems to stray away from the man people knew him to be. The rivalry continues, but the nation needs answers to their inquiries that seem to be rapidly rising with new conflicts.

Gotcha Journalism?

The nation's panic after the Wall Street crash is probably Sarah Palin, the Republican Vice Presidential candidate. Palin has created quite the uproar in media with her sheer lack of intellect, and not to mention experience. She is in fact in everyone’s conversations, SNL skits, and YouTube videos. Never has the presidential candidate captured the attentions of so many so apprehensively. Ruling out Palin’s experience, the recent interviews she has conducted reveal absolutely nothing beneficial to alleviate her position in politics. In fact, her recent discussions with Charlie Rose, and Katie Couric expose her to be more dim-witted scaring all Americans that she would only be a “heartbeat away” from becoming the president if John McCain wins the election.

In Katie Couric’s interview with both Senator John McCain, and Sarah Palin; Katie Couric repeatedly interrogates Palin with the questions she avoids with other irrelevant answers. When Katie Couric points out that Palin had made herself a hypocrite on her answer to Pakistan’s situation, she blatantly says that media is misrepresenting her with “gotcha journalism.” Senator John McCain goes on to support her by first implying that the media caught her off guard. It’s quite appalling that they choose to blame journalism for toying with her words to make her appear less intellectual, and fit for the critical position. Even when the public has low trust in the media; through the interviews the citizens are able to get a realistic view of the individuals that are put on the spotlight with the help of reporters. Whether contentious or uncertain to the public eyes, today journalism adheres to the code of truth by bringing the element of scrutiny into democracy.

Standard-Barrier

The Code of Ethics from the Society of Professional Journalists are both ideal and inspirational. It is a code that is vital for our public democracy to truly exist in its true form. One of the basic foundations of American Journalism arose from the colonists, who fought for independence first with their words. Although their journalism did not follow the Code of Ethics, it served the ultimate purpose for its citizens; freedom. Between the colonial days, and today American Journalism has treaded a long path embarking its purpose in history while embedding itself in our society’s way of life. But, we have to ask ourselves how well are journalists adhering to the ethical standards at the present?

Today, the news media has mostly negative connotations for numerous reasons as it fails to abide by the ethical rules. The citizens have an all time low trust in the media itself. The mainstream media is firstly controlled by many corporate giants making it almost impossible for their employed journalists to act and write independently. The celebrity frenzy along with the numerous incomprehensive news give the “good journalist” a bad name tarnishing their reputation. Out of all the Code of Ethics the rules to act independently is probably the most challenging in today’s money driven social order. Since everyone who starts at the bottom cannot be like Charlie Rose, should young journalist just blog their lives out of spotlight to act truly independently? Well, that’s a catch 22, and no one said it was easy sticking to ethical standards.