Some media stories of note for Tuesday, September 17, 2013:
Paul Farhi, writing for The Washington Post, looks at Monday's breaking coverage of the Navy Yard shootings and the initial inaccuracies among media in determining the scope of the mass murders and the gunman involved. He notes how many mistakes emanated from police sources and moved through the media without adequate verification.
Tom Rosenstiel, writing for Poynter, says transparency should replace independence as a guiding principle for journalism. Rosenstiel, executive director of the American Press Institute and co-author of a new book with Kelly McBride on journalism ethics, says there should be three elements of the transparency: show technique, approach, and engage communities.
The Guardian writes on proposed changes to libel action in Britain that will make it more affordable to launch legal proceedings against publishers and broadcasters. The media industry worries this will permit vexatious claims and chill controversial investigations. Libel proceedings are significantly more expensive in England than elsewhere (up to 100 times), and the reforms will permit the courts to reduce the fees for one party if it does not have economic means to fully participate.
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission is going to examine native advertising and how it can blur the line between editorial and advertising content. Jeff John Roberts, writing for paidContent, notes the FTC will stage an event in December with a range of experts to look at how such messages are presented and consumed. Earlier this year the commission imposed disclosure obligations about such sponsored content.
Paul Farhi, writing for The Washington Post, looks at Monday's breaking coverage of the Navy Yard shootings and the initial inaccuracies among media in determining the scope of the mass murders and the gunman involved. He notes how many mistakes emanated from police sources and moved through the media without adequate verification.
Tom Rosenstiel, writing for Poynter, says transparency should replace independence as a guiding principle for journalism. Rosenstiel, executive director of the American Press Institute and co-author of a new book with Kelly McBride on journalism ethics, says there should be three elements of the transparency: show technique, approach, and engage communities.
The Guardian writes on proposed changes to libel action in Britain that will make it more affordable to launch legal proceedings against publishers and broadcasters. The media industry worries this will permit vexatious claims and chill controversial investigations. Libel proceedings are significantly more expensive in England than elsewhere (up to 100 times), and the reforms will permit the courts to reduce the fees for one party if it does not have economic means to fully participate.
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission is going to examine native advertising and how it can blur the line between editorial and advertising content. Jeff John Roberts, writing for paidContent, notes the FTC will stage an event in December with a range of experts to look at how such messages are presented and consumed. Earlier this year the commission imposed disclosure obligations about such sponsored content.
