|
08/17/2006
Who cares about the NSA wiretapping? I want to know about JonBenet Ramsey!
Did you hear? The NSA wiretapping program was just ruled unconstitutional by a federal judge, who ordered an immediate halt to the program.
Who cares???? I want to know about JonBenet!
In the media's latest demonstration of its complete focus on sensationalism, lack of integrity, and downright idiocy, all major new channels today are focusing on the ages-old story of who killed JonBenet Ramsey. If you recall, she's the girl who, ten years ago, was found murdered in the basement of her home. Authorities couldn't figure it out - until they captured a convicted American, a sex offender who was living in Asia. The guy has fessed up to the crime, saying JonBenet's death was "an accident" and that he was with her at the time of her death. People are pretty much taking that as a confession.
What I was able to summarize in one paragraph, broadcast media apparently feels necessary to dwell on. EVEN in light of the breaking story about the NSA program. Take a look at how the stories compare on various news Web sites:
On CNN.com....
On MSNBC.com...
And FOXNEWS.com...
First, can you spot the article about John Karr - the dude who says he killed JonBenet? That was a trick question.
Now, try to spot the bit about warrantless wiretaps. In case you can't pick it out amongst the mess of JonBenet this and JonBenet that, look for the little red circles above.
To Fox News' credit (this is about the first positive thing I'll go on record saying about Fox), they actually placed the NSA wiretap article ABOVE the headlines about JonBenet. Even though that's because their "breaking news" banner sits above all other headlines. It's probably an automated feed anyway.
When news first broke yesterday about John Karr, authorities admitted to knowing about this story for the past few weeks, but decided to break it yesterday afternoon.
I distinctly recall wondering what major news would hit the headlines
today. I figured it would have to be some hugely embarrassing turn of
events for the Bush Administration. Uh, gee, let's see - their warrantless wiretapping program was just deemed to BREAK THE LAW OF THE CONSTITUTION. How damning is that?
Is this just funky timing (again), or another example of how certain aspects of law enforcement are playing into the timing of the administration, to help with media coverup?
Oh sure, the headlines are all there. But do you honestly believe all the soccer moms in this country care more about "stupid NSA stuff", or instead, that cold-blooded killer Karr who could just as easily as molested their own children??
Way to go, CNN! Way to go, MSNBC! Way to go, FOXNEWS! Yet again, you have painstakingly taken the time to point out, in clear detail, the stories that you feel are most relevant to us -- child molesters -- instead of those pesky little things like the Constitution, federal rulings, the NSA, and domestic surveillance!
Idiots.
David
Posted by Dave at 08/17/2006 3:30:45am
No Comments Post a Comment
Permanent Link
Subscribe To Blog
08/07/2006
Faked Reuters Photograph Does Nothing to Worsen Impact of Beirut Scene
Perhaps you heard about this picture. Perhaps not. While browsing YahooNews on Saturday, I stumbled upon a an image of Beirut that was so blatantly doctored, I wasn't sure whether to be more upset with the editor's inability to spot it, or cheer the artist for their ability to get it into print. Here's the screenshot:
In particular, pay close attention to the image in the upper-left corner of the window. Even as a small image, you can see the smoke doesn't quite look right. Still in doubt? Okay, try out this image:
There, much better. What a piss-poor Photoshop job. Simply stunning this made it to press. I immediately contacted Reuters about this image, and this morning received the following feedback (from reuters@mailca.custhelp.com):
Recently you requested personal assistance from our on-line support center.
Below is a summary of your request and our response.
Subject
---------------------------------------------------------------
Site Feedback
Discussion Thread
---------------------------------------------------------------
Response (Christine Botros) - 08/07/2006 09:40 AM
Dear Reader,
Thank you for contacting Reuters with your comments regarding the Reuters photo
of burning buildings in Beirut. The photo has been corrected and you can read our
Editor's comments on the matter at the following webpage:
http://today.reuters.com/news/NewsRoom.aspx.
We appreciate your feedback and we hope that you continue to use and enjoy the
Reuters website.
Kind Regards,
Reuters Corporate Webmaster
Customer - 08/05/2006 08:18 PM
This picture, on YahooNews, is attributed to Reuters.
It is SO OBVIOUSLY a doctored image, I cannot believe anyone in your staff
would actually put this into print.
WHAT IS GOING ON??
Question Reference #060805-000096
---------------------------------------------------------------
Product Level 1: Editorial
Product Level 2: Feedback
Date Created: 08/05/2006 08:18 PM
Last Updated: 08/07/2006 09:40 AM
Status: Solved
[---001:001160:36171---]
Upon visiting the Reuters link above, I read the following info:
"We got more than 2,000 reader e-mails on
this over the weekend. We issued a kill on the photo in question, and
sent out an unaltered version as soon as possible:"
Wait... that's it?? That's the original image??
Not very different from the doctored one.
The editor went on to say they found one other image altered by the same phtographer. But I'm puzzled... why would the photographer risk everything to do such a poor Photoshop job? Did he, in fact, actually edit it, or is he simply being blamed for it?
The original page this appeared on YahooNews
has now been altered with a different photograph, and the headline has
also changed. I love revisionist news. Plus, the photograph has since
been deleted off of YahooNews.
Things like this make you wonder just how accurate ANY news is that you come across.
David
Posted by Dave at 08/07/2006 3:28:13am
No Comments Post a Comment
Permanent Link
Subscribe To Blog
|
