vision2020@moscow.com: media ethics

media ethics

Bill London (london@wsunix.wsu.edu)
Wed, 6 Mar 1996 06:49:33 -0800 (PST)

I read the short note about Doc Lucas retiring in the Tribune with
interest, since it again floated Vera White's candidacy (as Demo) for the
job.
Is there anyone out there who also finds the idea of a reporter
also serving as a legislator ethically distasteful? It seems to me that
the chance for the reporter to bend the news to fit the legislative
agenda is seriously dangerous.
And while I am on this subject, did anyone else notice the
fascinating spins given the story of the jazz festival economics by both
the Tribune and the Daily News? Sat. Tribune front page (REd ink gives
Jazz Fest the Blues) focused on the numbers and the declining income from
the festival. Weekend DN (back page, front section) (Jazz festival makes
up for lack of big sponsor) listed only total revenues (which went up)
and the increasing scholarship endowment (which has no direct
relationship to the cost of the festival). Each paper did a completely
different take on the issue.
BL

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