You may not have heard, but Joe Biden is a big fucking deal. The vice president's word faux pas has become bigger news than the healthcare bill that created his verbal exuberance. Biden made a poor choice, but I doubt most of the viewing public was listening with virgin ears. It's certainly not Biden's first public diarrhea of the … [Read more...]
The ‘Good News’ is that I’m done reading this book
If you believe that the media's purpose is to right social injustices, you'll love Good News: Social Ethics and the Press. If you think the media should support the democratic process by providing people with information, no matter how painful it may be, you probably won't like this book. The authors review their perceptions of the problems with … [Read more...]
LA City College attempts to censor student press
Some school administrators still think it's acceptable form to censor student media, even 40 years after the Tinker v. De Moines ruling found that students do not check their First Amendment rights at the schoolhouse door. Sure, administrators don't call it "censorship." Censorship is a dirty word, attached to an act that no one wants linked to … [Read more...]
‘Fire’ makes leaders stand out
He doesn't look impressive. His clothes are wrinkled, his hair needs to be cut and he doesn't sit up straight. His mom is doing all of the talking. Perhaps she's the one who actually wants to attend college. I ask him why he wants to study mass communications. His response: "I just really like to write." Eureka! The phrase is my favorite to hear … [Read more...]
Advertiser to remove unauthorized ad depicting president
The Weatherproof Garment Company couldn't have found a better model for its coat. He's tall, lean, handsome, and he's the most powerful man in the nation. The company agreed Jan. 11 to remove a billboard in Times Square featuring a photo of President Barack Obama. An Associated Press photographer took the photo during Obama's November trip to the … [Read more...]