In the year since Illinois’ pioneering media literacy requirement went into effect, experts, teachers and the state have scrambled to define what media literacy means and how to implement the new law without additional funding, professional development or clear standards. Illinois became the first state in the nation to require instruction of media literacy at the … [Read more...] about Illinois’ pioneering media literacy program lacks resources, oversight
media ethics
First Amendment is no refuge for Clippers owner’s remarks
Editor's note: This is an opinion article from William H. Freivogel, publisher of the Gateway Journalism Review. Whether viewed from a legal, moral or ethical vantage point, the lifetime ban that NBA commissioner Adam Silver imposed on racist Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling was just and correct. After Silver announced the punishment, the Twittersphere exploded … [Read more...] about First Amendment is no refuge for Clippers owner’s remarks
Embattled L.A. Clippers owner has a right to privacy, too
Editor's note: This is an opinion article from William A. Babcock, editor of Gateway Journalism Review. For anyone spending the past few days in a cave, the person in the eye of the latest media storm is Donald Sterling, owner of the NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers. Sterling ignited the race card, and the media suddenly have diverted their eyes from the Ukraine, a missing … [Read more...] about Embattled L.A. Clippers owner has a right to privacy, too
Details lacking in TV coverage of bridge opening
A bridge! A bridge! Abridged? The recent opening of a new bridge over the Mississippi River at St. Louis got grand coverage from the city’s television news stations. Footage of the sparkling span dominated morning reports by Fox News Channel 2, KMOV Channel 4 and KSDK Channel 5 on the Friday before the official opening on Feb. 9. Cheerleading, in fact, was in top form … [Read more...] about Details lacking in TV coverage of bridge opening
Ombudsmen in decline: An ominous trend for American press
One year ago, Rem Rieder in USA TODAY wrote about ombudsmen, the individuals (often called “readers’ representatives” or “public editors”) employed by newspapers to keep a vigilant eye on the paper’s journalism and report the findings to readers. Rieder painted a discouraging picture, noting that just half as many ombudsmen were working in U.S. news organizations … [Read more...] about Ombudsmen in decline: An ominous trend for American press