These can be real good sometimes. 

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TODAY’S WORD ON JOURNALISM–Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2007

2/6/07: News from the vast wasteland:
    “I’m here to propose that we replace the bad old bargain that past FCCs struck with the media moguls with a new American Media Contract.
It goes like this. We, the American people have given broadcasters free use of the nation’s most valuable spectrum, and we expect
something in return. We expect this:
   1. A right to media that strengthens our democracy;
   2. A right to local stations that are actually local;
   3. A right to media that looks and sounds like America;
   4. A right to news that isn’t canned and radio playlists that aren’t for sale;
   5. A right to programming that isn’t so damned bad so damned often.”
     –Michael J. Copps. Federal Communications Commission, 2007
(Thanks to alert WORDster Mark Larson)

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TODAY’S WORD ON JOURNALISM is a free “service” sent to the 1,500 or so misguided  subscribers around the planet. If you have recovered, send “unsubscribe.” Or if you want to afflict someone else, send me the email address and watch the fun begin. (Disclaimer: I just quote ’em; I don’t necessarily endorse ’em. In theory, all contain at least a kernel of insight.) Responses and rebuttals welcome.

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Ted Pease, Professor of Interesting Stuff
Utah State University
“Words are sacred. They deserve respect. If you get the right ones in the right order, you can nudge the world a little.” –Tom Stoppard,
playwright

TODAY’S WORD ON JOURNALISM–Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2007

The press’s deafening silence on peace:
    “One day after an anti-war rally in Washington, D.C., attracted a crowd estimated at 100,000 by the Los Angeles Times, the networks’ Sunday morning talk shows remained mostly unaffected by the expression of broad opposition to the war, keeping their discussions
confined to the narrow spectrum of Beltway elites.
    “Despite overwhelming public sentiment opposing the Iraq War—expressed in opinion polls, in the streets of D.C. and elsewhere
around the country—the network Sunday shows booked guests more representative of the center-right spectrum in official Washington.”
      –FAIR (Fairness & Accuracy in Reporting) 1/29/07
(http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=3035)

* * * * *
TODAY’S WORD ON JOURNALISM is a free “service” sent to the 1,500 or so misguided  subscribers around the planet. If you have recovered, send “unsubscribe.” Or if you want to afflict someone else, send me the email address and watch the fun begin. (Disclaimer: I just quote ’em; I don’t necessarily endorse ’em. In theory, all contain at least a kernel of insight.) Responses and rebuttals welcome.

* * * * *
Ted Pease, Professor of Interesting Stuff
Utah State University

“Don’t take life serious, Son . . . it ain’t nohow permanent.”
   –Porky Pine to Albert the Alligator, by Walt Kelly