Category: Media

BY TRIPP FROHLICHSTEIN / Kudos to Channel 4 (KMOV) for its special “Veiled Profit Parade” coverage July 4. It was the perfect combination: broadcast a great civic event for all those who could not make it downtown (or did not want to) and have it paid for by sponsors. The production itself was excellent, with floats stopping in front of the station’s cameras for a good look – and often a musical performance as well. There appears to have been excellent planning between the parade organizers and the Channel 4 producers.

Here is a list of recent media moves and awards reported to Gateway Journalism Review by Benjamin Israel.

The early shots in the “Who Is a Journalist?” debate, ignited by the Edward Snowden-to-Glenn Greenwald leaks about NSA surveillance, were of lightweight caliber. (See “Who Is a Journalist? The New Republic Tickles but Does Not Tackle the Question,” GJR, June 27.) Now that a couple of journalistic heavyweights have entered the fray, the debate has gained steam and substance. Or, their contributions to it could put an end to what some see as a silly or insidious charade.

As television stations cut back on people to save money, it shows up on the air with sloppy writing and spelling. Now, mistakes can happen in any media. But I have noticed a significant increase in errors on TV over the last year or two. Like the anchor for St. Louis’ Channel 4 (KMOV) who read a promo on the air ending with, “I don’t know what that means.” Perhaps she should have read it at least once before going on the air.

“Glenn Greenwald Is Greenwald, and That’s Enough,” was the headline of Marc Tracy’s column on the New Republic website June 25. It should have given readers a clue to stop right there. Tracy suggests that the ongoing story of Edward Snowden’s leaks of NSA surveillance to the Guardian’s Glenn Greenwald, formerly a First Amendment lawyer and blogger, have ignited a debate about “What is a journalist – and who is one?” Trying to figure out why such a debate is “raging” in Tracy’s column reduces you to feel like the blind pig that finds a truffle now and then.