tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12005502.post431766537040936471..comments2023-11-28T13:30:46.120-05:00Comments on Leonardo's Notebook By Mattheus Mei: Canaries die in Coal Mines you know.Mattheus Meihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07629195495902678804noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12005502.post-35402841658382244622007-11-13T10:06:00.000-05:002007-11-13T10:06:00.000-05:00I suppose I could have summed up the above post li...I suppose I could have summed up the above post like this:<BR/><BR/>Although it may seem unfair that massive corporations have the means to blanket the world in advertising that sells their own point of view, maybe it is up to people like yourself, in forums such as these, to provide an adequate counterbalance.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12005502.post-24223539881882524932007-11-13T10:00:00.000-05:002007-11-13T10:00:00.000-05:00In defense of your fellow blogger, and my fellow j...In defense of your fellow blogger, and my fellow journalist, Brad Warthen: <BR/><BR/>Banner ads appear on a rotating basis based on how often and to which demographics the advertiser has asked that it appear, the latter of which is dependent on keywords like 'coal' and 'alternative energy' hidden in your browser's cookies. <BR/><BR/>Newspapers are divided into discreet departments that, in order to remain unbiased, must maintain a degree of independence from each other, not unlike the separation of powers in the three branches of US government. As a part of The State's editorial staff, Mr. Warthen is not tasked with choosing which ads appear above his blog at the moment a reader visits.<BR/><BR/>Newspapers are built around a tradition, and in our society, a duty of providing a fair and ethical forum for disseminating information. This includes each aspect of the delivery of news: reporting of facts, editorial content, advertising, circulation, delivery. <BR/><BR/>Allowing those with whom you do not agree an opportunity to speak, even in the form of advertising, is central to free and open dialogue.<BR/><BR/>While a newspaper is not required by law to allow any and all advertisements, they have a tradition of doing something very close to that. It is part of the accountability role they serve in free society-- the invisible fourth branch of our government. <BR/><BR/>I say all of that to say this: The best way to counter an argument that one feels is incorrect or misleading is with facts and arguments of one's own. <BR/><BR/>In this part-time newsman's opinion, the news staff at The State should continue to report factually on the impact of that new coal plant, while the editorial staff continues to provides opinions (including letters to the editor) which help the reader decide which side of the argument he is on. <BR/><BR/>The advertising staff should continue to sell ads in a free and fair manner, without bias, to those who wish to have their voice heard.<BR/><BR/>Without the revenue from advertising airtime or print space, there would be insufficient funding to independently report the news. <BR/><BR/>The are alternatives to an independent press, underwritten by advertising, state-run news and television chief among them. In spite of all the failings of the press in our society, we still have it better than those who get their "news" through the filter of a government censor.<BR/><BR/>Still another alternative may exist: news by first person opinion. It's direct democracy applied to information. News by plebiscite. The trouble with this kind of news is, there is no obligation to confirm facts and no peer-reviewed, editorial safeguards on what is published. Survival of the loudest.<BR/><BR/>I think it's great that bloggers like Brad Warthen are trying to bridge the gap between the ethics of print journalism and the new media frontier. <BR/><BR/>As long as he keeps presenting intelligent, independent opinion, and the folks downstairs in the newsroom at The State strive for unbiased facts, the advertising section can and should sell space to anyone.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com