Comments on: Occupy Wall Street and media ethics

By: RFTZ

RFTZ — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 08:13:32 +0000

My friends and I on both sides of the Pacific can’t help but think that a lot of the criticism waged against OWS, and a lot of the aggression coming from OWS, is just a distraction from one basic problem; that of increasing income disparity. Here’s a chart from a blog with info from the Congressional Budget Office that demonstrates the widening gap for the past thirty years: http://bit.ly/sCXVN4

By: minipaws

minipaws — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 11:17:10 +0000

Felix, why was it easy for me to find their doctrine? Maybe I should become a reporter as I can easily find and understand what they are about. Here’s their number one goal…
Corporations should be highly limited in their ability to contribute to political campaigns no matter what the election and no matter what the form of media. This is to ensure that the politicians that are elected are loyal to the people and not to their corporate buyers.

By: matthewslyman

matthewslyman — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 06:21:22 +0000

An excellent and timely article, considering the increasing confusion over what constitutes a “journalist” in our era; and over what constitutes “journalism”. These issues are most vitally important in countries where the difference between being a journalist and a protester can be life and death, or might determine freedom or imprisonment. The United States needs to set a good example here!

By: klhoughton

klhoughton — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 21:26:12 +0000

Do you really believe that an EX-wife is a good source for a reporter?

By: Sling

Sling — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 13:20:24 +0000

“it should be towardsd Obama and the White House”
Right. Bring back Bush. Everything was perfect while he was President. And he talked to God – and God talked to him.
Congress are completely innocent. They only do what their funders tell them to do. It’s not their fault that they are told to do totally stupid things, poor creatures.

By: Csapo

Csapo — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 12:55:14 +0000

To those not understanding the demographics of this movement:
I’m 57. I’ve served two apprenticeships: I’m an Unlimited Able Seaman, qualified to steer a ship of any tonnage in any waters; I’m a Dol certified Journeyman Carpenter, and I specialize in heavy industrial construction (power-plants, dams, grid, etc.) I was Boatswain (deck dept supervisor) on the UST Pacific, the largest moving object ever built in the US. I’m qualified to run an OSHA compliance program in any size construction company, and I’ve run my own OSHA safety compliance sub-contracting company. I’m a certified crane operator, and a certified master rigger. I have medals from the DoD, and I’ve never been a member of the military.
I’m an organizer with the campaign to occupy Wall Street, and you are very misinformed.

By: zolardis

zolardis — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 12:45:48 +0000

The media have many writers who don’t get it at all. Much of the public don’t get it. I’ve read several stories that put their personal perspective into the story and their eyes only see one narrowly conceived idea. Somewhere in that intellect though there is something that says “I want to be a part of this because somebody needs to protest the insane greed that is destroying real democracy”.

By: jpe12

jpe12 — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 11:45:32 +0000

I find it tough to muster much sympathy for the fired NPR journalist. Their ethics code makes it very clear that protesting is forbidden. If she wanted to protest, she should have tried to clear it w/ NPR first.

By: bob5525

bob5525 — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 11:20:05 +0000

Thanks for pointing this out. I was particularly troubled by the approach of The Economist, which wishes to trivialize OWS as “anti-capitalist.”

By: Nowa

Nowa — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 11:00:52 +0000

“you can go down to OWS wearing your journalistic hat and write anything you like.”

Interesting point. How is writing an article different than holding up a sign? Both are broadcasting.

By: silliness

silliness — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 11:00:13 +0000

Fear of getting fired is one of the reasons why people don’t protest more.

By: TimWorstall

TimWorstall — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 10:32:24 +0000

“It’s possible, in the vast expanse of the internet, to find someone willing to quibble with that sentiment — but it’s not easy. ”

Well, given that, as John H points , there were no loans involved in Abacus that’s not really a quibble.

Precisely *because* it was entirely a synthetic then there absolutely had to be someone going short on it.

Financial journalism should point these things out, no?

By: alea

alea — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 07:58:24 +0000

“It’s very hard to find anybody who will come out against OWS”
LOL

By: AreYouKidding55

AreYouKidding55 — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 07:40:18 +0000

Their anger is misguided – it should be towardsd Obama and the White House, their message is confusing, their faith in God is wanting, their work ethic sucks (my 11 year-old works harder), and their desire is anarchy. They need to go back home to their parents basement.