if they deliberately distort the truth or blatantly lie? As an example, Dan rather's story on Bush. Do you think their should be laws that say that all media forms, whether print, televised, or internet will be fined some amount, preferably large, if they are caught fabricating the truth, spinning the truth or distorting the truth beyond recognition?
2006-11-27 08:51:01 · 5 answers · asked by Foundryman 2 in News & Events ➔ Media & Journalism
There are already laws that allow someone to recover damages from news outlets for libel.
2006-11-27 08:59:19 · answer #1 · answered by Teekno 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Having a free press is one of the greatest freedoms in the world. That said, we have to remember that the press is staffed by human beings, who aren't perfect. As such, the public should be more responsible in gathering facts from multiple sources. Fines could be levied for the most serious of breaches, but I think for the most part, media outlets do a good job of policing their own. To Dan Rather's credit, he did say that he did not purposely report bad facts, but failed to follow up on the story to see if it had any creditbility and promptly resigned. I believe that news anchors are pushed to report news as fast as possible because in this world of 24/7 reporting, news has become even more ratings driven and the pressure to get one up on the competition is immense.
2006-11-27 09:03:30 · answer #2 · answered by graphix_osu 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The government cannot levy fines for such things in the United States because of the First Amendment. And nor should the government be involved with levying fines for such things.
2006-11-27 15:25:22 · answer #3 · answered by Ryan R 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I see your point, but then who exactly decides what the truth is? One of the advantages/perils of a free press is that is self-censoring. Do they do a good job? Not always. I prefer that, though, to some agency charged with enforcing the truth...
2006-11-27 09:00:13 · answer #4 · answered by f0nt of wisd0m 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just give THE MEDIA _THIS GRADING SYSTEM _:
A (for relentless 'attacks' , B (for 'bashings' of all sorts, C(for being a
conduit for corruption), D(for demeaning those who shout out against
the'maddness' around us, and an F(for failing to give us the FACTS, and
the FOLLOW-UP ) to nothing more than BLARING HEADLINES AND...???
2006-11-27 09:31:35 · answer #5 · answered by TRUTHSEEKER777 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋