Now on J-Source: WikiLeaks and patriotism; stripper privacy; links and
defamation
TORONTO, Dec. 8 /CNW/ -
WARD'S WORDS
"Let's kill Julian Assange!" WikiLeaks and the power of patriotism
Last week, two prominent US columnists called for the death of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. This knee-jerk patriotism -- that loving your country means not embarrassing your government -- undermines the power of a free press, Stephen J.A. Ward writes. But for many journalists, patriotism is more powerful than objectivity or independence.
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ETHICS
News flash: strippers smoke semi-nude!
Do women on a rooftop in downtown Toronto have a reasonable expectation of privacy? What if they're in their underwear? The question: where's the wall between private time and public space? Angela Hickman reports on Torontoist's decision to publish -- and then unpublish -- photos of unsuspecting, nearly-naked strip club employees.
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FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
Supreme court to hear case on links, defamation
Careful how you link. The Supreme Court of Canada is scheduled to hear the case of Wayne Crookes et al vs. Jon Newton. Its ruling may help determine whether the operators of websites are liable when they post links to materials judged to be defamatory. Grant Buckler reports.
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INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM
UBC, Globe and Mail investigate the hidden cost of shrimp
Twenty-something university students usually head to Thailand in search of exotic adventures. But when a group of 10 UBC journalism students went, they were searching for the untold story of shrimp: they found exploited Burmese workers, devastated mangrove swamps and labs where shrimps are tested for carcinogenic chemicals. Alfred Hermida reports.
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North Korea leaves us guessing
Big Issue's weekly task is to highlight what's on the radar - but once in a while we need to look at what's off the radar. The shelling of Yeonpyeong Island left journalists staring down an information black hole known as North Korea. "The news media simply does not know why North Korea bombarded the island," writes Tom Fenton in GlobalPost.
China's media coverage was predictably soft on the North, while American commentators were predictably distracted by a Sarah Palin gaffe on the subject. Across the pond, the Guardian live-blogged the bombardment, providing some immediacy. The big question remained: how serious is this? The Telegraph predicted World War III, while a South Korean commentator guessed the shelling was a mere set piece in Dear Leader's succession plans. Meanwhile, the Globe and Mail parsed a painting for answers. It was our first glimpse inside the enigma since a Canadian reporter's accidental tour at the World Cup.
Obviously, we should know more than we do. The BBC's country profile is a start. For the official North Korean perspective, Uriminsokkiri publishes online in English and -- we're not making this up -- recently opened a Twitter account, @uriminzok. The country's underground citizen journalists provide the unofficial perspective. As for Canada's role, the Globe and Mail recently uncovered our official obligations in the event of war. And of course - as with all things these days - there are some revealing WikiLeaks in the mix.
- December 7, WEB
CNA Webinar: Tips on Better Research Skills - December 7, ON
SEJ Pub Night - December 8, ON
Linden MacIntyre and Richard Gwyn on Institutional Lies - December 8, ON
Ottawa Writers and Editors holiday party - January, 11, WEB
CNA Webinar: Photography Skills - January, 12-16, QC
CUP National Conference - January 15, ON
PWAC Freelancers' Forum - January 18, ON
CJF Forum: Joshua Benton - January 19, ON
PWAC Professional Development Series - See all events here.
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Robert Hurst to leave CTV
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WikiLeaked cable calls out CBC for stereotyping Americans
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RECENT POSTS
TVO host job posting: They're just words
After the explosion, injured photographer keeps shooting
"Yellow "journalism" from a green "journalist" is what this amounts to. One would think that - after years of being at the helm of a semi-reputable blog - the editor would know better than to publish this and defend the decision."
Reader Comment: Bradly Rilton
Post: News flash: strippers smoke semi-nude!
"Since you ask, I wonder what Orwell would think about how we use language here: "reflective of the changing demographics" and "diversity of backgrounds and cultures." What we really mean is "We'd like applications from smart good-looking non-Caucasians who will attract a growing audience of New Canadians." That's a perfectly legitimate goal, but we seem to be afraid of the clarity of simple words."
Reader Comment: Ross Howard
Post: TVO host job posting: they're just words
"As a former member of the Ontario Press Council (1983-6), I too welcome Don McCurdy's appointment and commitment to reinvigorate the council. Let me add to the suggestions above: 1. Advertise for public members. Most new appointments are made on the suggestion of existing members, mostly the members representing newspapers. The process needs to be opened up. 2. Invite the public to hearings. Advertise this. They're not open to the public unless the public knows they're happening. 3. Do something to recruit Maclean's and National Post to join. They are the most significant media who do not belong and therefore are not accountable. "
Reader Comment: John Miller
Post: An open letter to the Ontario Press Council's new boss
CJF: Now accepting applications for the TOM HANSON PHOTOJOURNALISM AWARD
For further information:
The Canadian Journalism Foundation
La Fondation pour le journalisme canadien
59 Adelaide St. E, Ste 500 / Toronto, ON / M5C 1K6
416-955-0630 / [email protected] http://cjf-fjc.ca
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