Editor

LGBT issues in news cycles show media doing their job

Media

February 28, 2014

by Editor

Issues from the LGBT community permeated news cycles during the month of February. Missouri defensive end Michael Sam came out and is set to become the first openly gay player to play in the NFL. Media overwhelmingly supported Sam. The Texas Supreme Court struck down Texas’ gay marriage law – and, on the same day, Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer vetoed a law that would have allowed business owners and others protection should they be sued over refusing service because of religious reasons.

Convoluted story’s tragic ending reminds journalists to be human

Media

January 23, 2014

by Editor

The problems with Caleb Hannan’s article, titled “Dr. V’s Magical Putter,” started almost immediately: “Strange stories can find you at strange times. Like when you’re battling insomnia and looking for tips on your short game.” That’s Hannan’s lead. The story he wrote about Essay Anne Vanderbilt proved to be strange, at the very least. It also was convoluted.

Credibility questions sidetrack investigative journalism

Media

November 26, 2013August 22, 2014

by Editor

BY SCOTT LAMBERT / Sports Illustrated’s recent series of articles chronicling cheating at Oklahoma State University were meant to reignite a long-running conversation about the seedy culture of big-time college athletics. Instead, Sports Illustrated started a conversation about credibility and perceptions of bias that overshadowed its original plan.

Information doesn’t mean bias

Media

October 3, 2013December 4, 2013

by Editor

BY SCOTT LAMBERT / Perceptions of media bias continue to rise in Americans, and those perceptions aren’t going to change anytime soon. A 2012 Pew Research Center study reported that the number of Americans who believe political news coverage is biased rose 6 percentage points in 2012 compared to 2008. The idea that media cover news stories from a strictly neutral position is seen as a fairy tale, and the term “lamestream media” is a common phrase on the right whenever a story perceived as negative is presented.

Website showcases political spectrum

Media

September 28, 2012January 10, 2013

by Editor

Trying to eliminate the Internet noise during political season seems almost impossible. Myriad news stories from multiple news sources float around in cyberspace. Blathering political pundits on television and radio spew their opinions constantly, with what seems to be little regard for truth or objectivity. Fact-checkers desperately try to keep up with the claims and falsehoods tossed around by politicians and their political mouthpieces.