Journalistic malpractice
Journalistic malpractice is a term used to describe the once objective field of journalism which has now been reduced to ideology and slander. It is attributed to people within the mainstream media and old-media, but not exclusively. Their failure as a group willfully misleads, manipulates and distorts the public.
Objective journalism was once the cornerstone of America's democracy. When objectivity is replaced with malpractice then the media loses credibility. Without credibility, journalism becomes error-filled, journalistic failure, reckless journalism, Gotcha! tabloid-like reporting, scaremongering or yellow journalism, outright factual inaccuracies, promotion of fact-free journalism or falsehood-spreading.
One of journalists' corrupt goals is to manipulate or selectively edit statements to hide facts [1] or to perpetrate falsehoods [2] or hide unflattering stories of like-minded individuals. [3] [4] Another is to repeat falsehoods so that an issue dear to their agenda is kept alive in the public's mind.[5] Another unethical tactic is to report "off the record" statements in a deception of the journalist's sources and interviewees. Most famously, Connie Chung interviewed Newt Gingrich's parents and solicited Gingrich's mother to repeat an insult he said in private about Hillary Clinton. Chung plied the information from Mrs. Gingrich with the lie: "Why don't you just whisper it to me? Just between you and me", falsely implying that she had no intent to repeat or broadcast the comment.[6]
Journalist comments
Michael Hastings, formerly of Newsweek, had an assignment to write behind-the-scenes stories about the presidential campaigns. He admits upfront that "objectivity is just a fallacy for reporters." [7]
ABC journalist damns whole field of journalism over âDANGEROUSâ bias. [8] Michael Malone writes, "...not just bewildering, but appalling."
Journalism and Iraq
There were many instances of corruption within this elite group of journalists.
Good News
Howard Kurtz of CNN accurately pointed out on "Reliable Sources," few media outlets seemed at all interested in giving much attention to the great news out of Iraq last week regarding September's sharp decline in casualties. [9]
Bad News
In 2005, Sabrina Tavernise of the NYT's tries her very hardest to cast the future of Iraq as a lost cause. [10]
CBS's Lara Logan declares US defeated in Iraq. Logan on 60 Minutes tells General Abizaid, "We hear very little about victory in Iraq these days. We hear a lot about how to manage the defeat." [11]
Fake News
Associated Press reported on Thanksgiving 2006 about the six Sunni civilians burned alive as they left Friday worship services. The shocking dispatch received massive, global coverage. [12] Subsequently, the story never was verified as true. [13]
In April 2003, New York Times journalist Jayson Blair wrote "In Military Wards, Questions and Fears From the Wounded." Blair described face to face conversations with four injured soldiers in a Navy hospital. The only problem is that he was never there and only talked to one soldier over the phone. Then he proceeded to fabricate quotes. [14]
Public Survey Results
Zogby survey finds two-thirds dissatisfied with the quality of journalism. 67% of the American public thinks traditional journalism is "out-of-touch." [15]
Documented video
References
- â Two Weeks Out, Campaign Goes to Last Place Obama Wants it to Be Rush Limbaugh, October 21, 2008
- â Bozell on the Palin Book-Burning Myth NewsBusters.org, September 22, 2008
- â 'Today' Pumps Bachmann 'Million Dollar Mistake,' Still Ignores Mahoney Scandal Newsbusters.org, October 22, 2008
- â How Did Edwards Affair Stay Hidden? Gawker.com, July 22, 2008
- â Journalistic Malpractice in "Marriage is Dead" Report, Michael Medved, Townhall.com, January 18, 2007
- â Connie Chung interview with the Gingriches Warning: insulting word appears at end of interview transcript.
- â Former Newsweek Campaign Reporter: 'Objectivity Is a Fallacy' Newsbusters.org, October 22, 2008
- â Mediaâs Presidential Bias and Decline The American Sentinel, October 29, 2008
- â âJournalistsâ Tell Howard Kurtz Why Good News from Iraq Shouldnât Get Reported NewsBusters, October 7, 2007
- â NYT: Iraq Middle Class 'Stalked by Death,' Initiating 'Exodus' NewsBusters, May 19, 2006
- â CBS's Lara Logan Declares US Defeated In Iraq Newsbusters, November 27, 2006
- â Fake news vs. real news from Iraq Michelle Malkin, November 28, 2006
- â The media fog of war Michelle Malkin, November 27, 2006
- â Credibility In Question PBS, May 1, 2003
- â Zogby Poll: 67% View Traditional Journalism as "Out of Touch" Zogby, February 27, 2008