Truemors
is reporting from
Member
NP Rank:
NP Rank:
The Danger of Propaganda by not allowing Independent Reporters.
Share:
by Uwe Paschen | January 6, 2009 at 03:59 pm
981 views | 55 Recommendations | 15 comments
Videos
Photos
By, Uwe Paschen.
Now, I am not the first nor will I be the last to write about Journalist and Reporters getting the news wrong, for lack of taking the time to check the authenticity and correctness of the said news or simply due to a lack of accurate news available, due to media black out. Falling then into the Propaganda trap of either sides of the conflict and this especially in highly volatile conflicts such as the present one between Hamas and Israel.
This in particular when no real reporters can be on the ground and the only news there is may be from blogs and web site, hearsay or Press releases from Military or groups with out any means to verify it authenticity and neutrality. This only a trained Reporter can do by being on the ground and checking the information directly or witnessing it.
The Problem with Media Black outs such as the one Israel imposes on Gaza by making it impossible for any Reporter to enter or exit Gaza and blocking all Internet and Telephone communication as it is doing presently gives room for false news to come out through activist sending off video and voice reports as well as Blogs that are either false or doctored from another time or location and adapted to the events in Gaza, and this is done by both sides of the conflict feeding falls information to the media, has it did happen with the News channel from France 2.
Not only the web can get it wrong, no, even the Professionals of the French Public Television station “France 2” do get it wrong. I call it the Breaking news syndrome to wish I did once fall victim my self and hope never ever again though. Yet, the problem is a persistent one especially with war and either side trying to win the Propaganda war as well as the Physical one fought out on the ground.
France 2 the French public TV channel did as other would and could have broadcast a Video that it received about the ongoing war in Gaza, this ended up on the 13:00 Hours news broadcast. The video originated from a blog on this site http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=3b3_1230864719. And was revelled as a fake by some other blogs on the Web who signalled this to LE POST a French news paper.
After double-checking the video and the sources, it came out that this video dated from the 22nd of September 2005 and not as indicated from the 01st of January 2009. FRANCE 2 looked rather foolish and embarrassed to say the least. Nevertheless FRANCE 2 admitted their mistake and apologize of course through their second in command namely Etienne Leenhardt, that was interviewed by LE POST.
The problem is that the Web being a great and fast tool in deed, it is also a dangerous harbour for misinformation and propaganda from all sides. Some thing all that report the news ethically and truthfully have to be aware off and watch out for, since the traps are everywhere. Moreover, at times it is rather hard to distinguish trues from falls and News from Propaganda.
Why we need eyewitness reporter on the ground so the news can be reported accurately and neutrally and not having to rely on Web Blogs for information that are or could be doctored with. The fact alone that Israel blocks all News, this by it self does speak volumes. And false news does not help here at all. Especially not the people in Gaza.
Advertisement
NowPublic on Facebook
What is NowPublic?
NowPublic lets people work together to cover news events around the world.
Most Recommended Comment
Crowd Power
Uwe Paschen
Narita, Chiba, JapanDavid Raymond Amos
New Hampshire, United States
Related Stories
Recommendations (55)
Emilio Lizardo
Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
hussain
All Places, Pakistan
Miriam Mannak
Cape Town, South Africa
Amitjha
new delhi, India
Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (15)
at 21:37 on January 6th, 2009
perfectly done, media is powerful, well as well as propaganda is concerned, media houses are just bothered about the money.....and there is no such thing as ideological mission to achieve.
They want flash point to keep there TRP high, and engage the mass in Half disclosed facts.And the story goes on.....
at 00:32 on January 7th, 2009
I do appreciate the Comment Amitjha, however I do not think you read this properly since I called for Professionalism and on the ground reporting for objectivity, What happened to France 2 is in part because of a lack of professional reporters on the ground and because the Web is full of misinformation and lays. We need people that are accountable not that can hit and run like cowards. France 2 did the right thing and was rather professional about it, they admitted the mistake and rectified it as well, how many bloggers would do the same? A journalist and especially Public Journalist is accountable, where as a blogger is not, nor does a blogger care for the most part what is accurate and who gets hurt or what injustice is committed to whom and to what extend due to misinformation.
at 02:55 on January 7th, 2009
what we need ethical reporters and it is not essential that proffessioal reporters will be ethical.
I have seen trained reporters siding with one or other propoganda suited to them.What we need is the neutral reporting be it Right,left or centrist journalists.When Amit Jha says that most of the so called proffesional media and that to mainstream electronic media is also biased in its reporting and is mainly concerned about the adverts and trp he saying the truth.A journalist who is getting highly paid in new york times can also be part of the same propoganda paschen is talking about.Just because few people get paid handsomely for their writing does not mean that they are holy.
at 03:24 on January 7th, 2009
I do agree with you azzayindia, however one benefit of professionals is that they are accountable and can be tried before court for defamation or falsification of information wish is not the case with a blogger that can hit and run and hide since we do not even know his or her real identity.
I said the problem of unethical reporting or falls information does happen on the Web as well as in the main stream media. The difference is the Media is accountable and has to fix it if it comes out where as the web does not care nor need to follow ethics if it chooses not to. The Public media is bound by laws and ethical standards, not the web. The next difference is the media in Europe and in Africa are two different issues all together, in Africa the web is the only way to get information out same as in Gaza, and much of that information is false because we do not have on the ground reporters. On the ground reporters that know the Political and historical issues is very important in order to get the news right, Saying that any one reporting on any thing is good is dangerous and it is like letting some one that washed cars all his life fix the space shuttle after all any one can do it... I do not want to use that Space shuttle for certain. Even if the engineers do get it wrong some times they are still the best once to fix the Space shuttle and not the guy that washes car for a living. Nothing against that car wash, and we need all sorts to make a world go round and work, however Engineers are still engineers and reporters are still reporters. Same goes for Environment reports, I see a lot of them that are totally false and misleading because the one that wrote them does care yet does not understand what is what nor why and gets it wrong, not because of bad intention like the case of propaganda, simply for lack of know how and experience working in that field. Know how and experts do matter, with out them we may as well go back to the stone ages in a hurry. Yes their is an important place fro CJ and other for of reporting and this is good as well, however that does not mean we can spare the professional not the rules and laws.
at 11:34 on January 11th, 2009
does that equally apply to posts on NP?
at 06:01 on January 7th, 2009
i try to read/listen/watch as much as possible from as many sources as possible b4 forming an opinion. at least that way i at least feel i've done my best to get it right. but in these ever-quickening times, the chance of error grows and grows and grows... so i just keep on spreading the wings further to find the truth.
at 09:14 on January 7th, 2009
Very thought provoking piece, Paschen. Thank you for it.
at 15:59 on January 11th, 2009
I agree
I am pleading with everyone to please check out the sincerity of my comments in the Wall Street Journal's law blogs
http://blogs.wsj.com/law/2008/05/14/emperors-club-booker-pleads-guilty-to-counts-of-conspiracy/?mod=homeblogmod_lawblog
http://blogs.wsj.com/law/2008/10/07/aufhauser-former-ubs-gc-settles-insider-trading-allegations/
http://blogs.wsj.com/law/2008/09/16/la-times-writers-sue-sam-zell/#comment-379183
FYI this is one of the missing transcipts of the US Senate Baning Commitee from five years ago.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/5362918/Senate-hearing
Anyone can call me ASAP if you wish to stress test my ethics. 506 756 8687
Veritas Vincit
David Raymond Amos
P.S. To be fair to all political animals on all sides of the legal/political fence in two purportedly profound democracies I do declare that these files are well worth printing and asking any MP or Member of US Congress about.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/2718120/Integrity-Yea-Right
http://www.scribd.com/doc/9092510/Chicago
http://www.scribd.com/doc/9092344/Jesse-Jackson-Jr
In my humble opinion it would be a fine thing many common folks to do before before Obama takes his oath of office and the Ecomony spins out of control.
at 17:12 on January 11th, 2009
There are two sides to this. We do need accurate news but military operational necessity sometimes demands a blackout of news to prevent an even bloodier fight by losing the element of surprise.
And reporters want to report as soon as it is known.
at 20:14 on January 11th, 2009
Interesting article Paschen. The people who do the blackout are the ones waging the war..and it is clear that they are covering up crimes to humanity. What needs to be reported about that? We know what war looks like, and the atrocities it represents. The real big point is that neither side has the right to committ their attacks, or defenses on anyone. The issue is Nonviolence vs. Violence.
If people actively got it into their heads that Violence is against all human rights and dignity, then War would not exist. Israels mistake is they fail to communicate with Hamas. That alone makes them a terrorist. Israel and really all political States need to recognize peoples grievences. If an Israeli bomb kills an innocent Palestinian person....that needs to be brought to justice by means of a court, and the forgone conclusion that Israel is guilty. And the same with a rocket from Palestine that kills an Innocent Israeli citizen. They need to realize they both ahve committed crimes, and they need to face that. They need to make reparations to each other...and that does not mean making sure one of the enemies is dead so no justice is needed....which this media blocking is hinged upon.
No man or woman or State has the right to take anyones life. Our right is to uplift and help people through acts of Nonviolence....so people are happy and secure in life. It is my hope Nonviolence will take hold in the Middle East. It would be good to have Palestine have its State while Israel becomes the Capitol. There needs to be a vested interest in each other...because the 2 State idea to me is senseless. Here they want Palestine to be a State yet, they don't want them to have a military? This is problematic...hardly an issue of smuggling weapons.
My view is that neither side should have arms and they work for Nonviolence. The land grabbing is for what? How can everyone own a piece of the land? Of course that is a tough question, but think of the many acres used up just to amass that crazy wall, that brings back the idea of the Berlin wall. It's as if they tore down the Berlin Wall to rebuild it in Israel. And basically it is still a conflict over the Jewish people.
One idea that could be pursued is if Israel instead of spending billions for weapons use the money to build more land to extend out over the Ocean. We could create many jobs for the people. If they can build those massive Pyramids in Egypt, they could make huge land areas out above the ocean. That would be quite beautiful I would think, and make Real Estate there worth a lot of money. Israel would have a real claim of ownership because they built their property over the oceanwaters for the people....in a real powerful way in promoting peace in the Middle East. I think many Palestinians would be employed to help in the great project, and would ease tensions. Maybe Israel would even consider making it their new Capitol City..... People need to work together on projects to avert ideas of entrenched warfare...that serves no one. The blame game is what? Crazyness....
Maybe this new Buildland for Israel will be the miracle we are hoping for. They could even tear down the Wall to help build the new State of Israel. I think its a spendid idea Watson!
Ha ha hah aaa!
Rev. Jermano
at 07:54 on February 8th, 2009
NP members and readers still recommending sotires and replies by:
MeWe
accidentaljournalist
con10t
will not be abe to search their NP member profiles or stories on NowPublic.
Why?
NowPublic --> Gaza - as all will discover has been 'cyber-ethincally cleaned' and now acts not as News but Opinion, not as Citizen Journalism but as a mouthpiece for the excuses Israeli war criminals and hate-mongers.
NowPublic is Now NotPublic.
there are members here who know better, but do nothing. perhaps NowPublic is a pasttime for comfortable retirees, who view being banned by NowPublic worse than standing up for peace and human rights and journalism ethics.
at 14:05 on February 8th, 2009
I was just thinking about this very issue this morning!
at 18:51 on February 24th, 2009
nowpublic is notpublic. good writers have been banned if their perspective is not pro-war-criminal or at best nullifying the facts here. NP World-->Gaza is cooled odwn now at the IDF blogger wing has done their job on NP and have moved on. Check the archives, although I have found NP tampering and removing its writers stories, accidentaljouralist, one such writer here.
citizen journalism is great, but it is not here.
at 14:03 on May 4th, 2009
That's right Paschen
You might remember me. I was booted by th IDF-symathisers spreading bloggeranda here with the pretension of objectivity that CJ used to provide. As a professor of media with more than 1000 students, NowPublic has disgraced the appeal of Citizen Journalism with blatant biased and in fact damaging misdeeds, blocking my account. It surprises me how blase the community here is, seems like a breeding ground for cyber softwarriors (not you of course). As it stands NP is helping the Israeli war criminals get off the hook. Of course in doing so (it will not work) they damage CJ in general. A shame. Within 18 months there will be alternatives to this sort of 'fake' CJ management. And sad to say the predujice will only end NPs VC appeal. Wait and see.
still, I enjoy reading your stuff. And a few others. How does one purseu a shaek-up of the disgraceful editors at NP (not all of course)?
at 14:18 on May 4th, 2009
If one checks the records as gifs on picasa, and finds those not illegally removed by Amy Judd of NP (accidentaljournalist contributions are free and not subject to unilateral banning) it is clear that there is prejudice and total failure of journalistic ethics condened even by the top execs at NP, who have been contacted, and refuse to reply, as if above it all.
Yes, the IDF took the war to NP and smothered the Gaza pages with blatant propaganda for any who would check the sources Amy Judd approved. It was a disgrace to the 1000s of Palestinian children mass-murdered, maimed, traumatized. I suppose Ms. Judd was too busy with other schizoid 5 oclock news stories as a laid off BBC intern, 'stories' about teabags and environmental benefits, and other such tv journalism that used to tranquilize consumers with trivia.
I am shocked that NP could actually exist in my homeland, although I am currently based in Europe. But what can you do when the likes of the 'editors' here choose to veto CJists. It's nothing new, FOX and all the Bushites and the Israeli mainstream misinformation channels do it and ensure life is led on the brink, and threaten all those who simply wish a fair shake for all.
I am already in contact with the venture capital groups who have been supporting NP and will continue to inspire them with systems that will help CJ mature. Have you heard of liquid and proxy democracy? There are ways to allow the community to moderate, and computers compute and can run stats on story sources, etc. With some really bright German and Swiss programmers, NP will be a transitional Drupal attempt, that did not rise above the personal bias of its rather unprofessional and incompetent editors.
I would recommend a serious shaek up and removal of the editor Judd, or serious consideration, for the breach of journalism ethics that were so casually broken, thus afecting the wellbeing of 1000s of Earthlings being beseiged with war criminal actions and weapons in Gaza. That is the worst of it, not the banning of writers and the illegal removal of THEIR text.
Think about it. Perhaps NP can turn on itself and be used to correct the ethics that its editors abuse, and thus give CJ a bad name... quickly. The word is out that CJ is the perfect bloggeranda propaganda mouthpiece as it has a fresh and cool reputation as being more honest and objective than TV or mainstream news. Huh, that reputation has been tarnished in Vancouver. IT is a scandal and should be exposed even more. There are those who now just see CJ as more of the same. And that is true as far as NP is concerned. And it will be the demise of NP, hoisted by its own cyber-petard. Sad.