News of Tiger Wood’s automobile accident and the White House party crashers blanketed the airwaves and front pages of newspapers. Sure, it was Thanksgiving holiday and not much happens during that time, so media need to find something to feed the masses. Something else newsworthy happened over the same time period. The servers of the […]
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briancain
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Objectivity, a mainstay to modern journalism, was not always present in early American newspapers — nor was it expected. “Discovering the News: A Social History of American Newspapers” considers objectivity’s role in American newspapers from the early days of the Penny Press to the 1970’s. Author Michael Schudson‘s introduction lays the groundwork for what will […]
In April 2009, the 1st U.S. Court of Appeals, based in Boston, reversed a U.S. District Court‘s decision to allow webcasting coverage of court proceedings. The case involved a lawsuit by Sony BMG Music brought against a Boston University student for downloading music. The appeals judges noted the district judge overstepped her authority by initially […]
Journalism students must shake their heads in disbelief when they hear the Iranian government shut down its leading business paper ,or laugh in amazement when they hear the government of China blocked – of all things – a Twitter site dedicated to the dismantling of the Berlin Wall. The level of government suppression and control […]
“On Objectivity” – John Stuart Mill/Michael Schudson
Posted by: briancain | October 21, 2009 | No Comment |John Stuart Mill, one of the greatest advocates for freedom of speech and author of “On Liberty,” would disagree with objectivity in the news – he would advocate op-ed pieces and blogging. Mill, who wrote “On Liberty” in 1859, like journalists, was concerned with finding the truth. Mill, however, believed that conflicting opinions “shared the […]
The sacking of Rome initiated the 500-year period known as the Dark Ages. As the empire crumbled, chaos ensued. People fled the urban centers and formed small agrarian societies, while leaving behind most of the technological advances of the day. Illiteracy became prevalent and news communication came to a screeching halt. Today, the world is […]
Chinese contributions to news (and the world)
Posted by: briancain | September 17, 2009 | No Comment |The Chinese are credited with many inventions that helped change the world. Their “four great inventions” had enormous impacts throughout history. Two of those great inventions had direct impacts on the dissemination of news. China’s first major contribution to news, however, was not an invention. It was the domestication of the horse circa 3500 B.C. […]