Apr

16

A body in an SUV hatchback

April 16, 2006 |

I knew some people would be shocked by the photograph, taken from the air, of a body stuffed into the hatchback of an SUV, and indeed readers were…..

And finally, we used it because we are in the business of conveying information to our readers, not withholding it. Censoring information, protecting readers, deciding what they should see and what they shouldn’t on such an important news event is difficult. We believe we must spare our readers some things, but we are more afraid of what we don’t show and tell people as by what we do.
Paul Berton, Editor in Chief, london free press (my emphasis)

“In the current controversy, freedom-of-the-press arguments are being trotted out where they don’t belong. They’re being used as a cover for bad judgment, poor taste and a series of offensive choices,” wrote Larry Cornies, editor of the London Free Press, in an editorial this weekend. “I’m bothered by what I believe is the inability of most types of journalism to play a meaningful role in easing the tensions it has helped create.”
Larry Cornies, editor London Free Press quoted at The Online Reporter

Dead biker stuffed throught the hatchback of SUV: informative. Cartoons at center of international controversy: offensive choice, bad taste.

And people wonder why MSM is losing readers….fast.


Comments

3 Comments so far

  1. Sean on April 16, 2006 9:03 pm

    I probably read more MSM than I ever used to thanks to the Web. I just no longer pay for my info as they’re giving it away.

  2. keving on April 17, 2006 7:24 am

    I think Sean’s right.

    Blogs don’t ( yet? ) add anything to the volume or news items. Almost all blog posts simply link directly to MSM stories and add a small commentary or snark.. Blogs do, however, provide a great volume of alternative interpretations.

    As for what’s deemed informative and what’s deemed bad taste: the MSM is in the business of attracting readers ( or not driving them away ) and they have a pretty good handle on what the general population ( or their segment of it ) is going to put in what category.

  3. doggerelblogger on April 18, 2006 7:03 pm

    Indeed, Jay. Indeed.

    Do you think anyone else caught the irony?

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