Archive for the ‘News/Commentary/Opinion’ Category

Support the Dream Act THIS WEEK! – America Needs It!

Tuesday, December 7th, 2010

New America Media says: Over 60 million adults access ethnic media. Their voices should be heard by lawmakers considering this important piece of immigration legislation this week. If ethnic media across the country carry this button on their websites this week, it will send a powerful message to lawmakers about the civic engagement of our communities. —By Sandy Close, Executive Director, New America Media.













Read more here:
The WORD
Harry Potter is a DREAM Act Kid

A Quote Too Good to Be Overlooked

Sunday, November 7th, 2010

Okay, I know lots and lots of folks – trash-ers as well as supplicants — read the NY Times and  post the readings all over the place as if no one else reads the Times like they do. But this quote was too good to be overlooked and my students are in the back of my mind when they aren’t in the front:

This is a snapshot of a whiplashed country that (understandably) doesn’t know whose butt to kick first. Frank Rich, NY Times, November 6, 2010.

New York Observer Appreciates Former WORD Senior Editor’s Reporting in Bushwick

Saturday, October 23rd, 2010

The Observer picked up on story originally reported by Jonathan Mena for Bushwickbk.com in Brooklyn about this checkerboard building on Palmetto Street between Bushwick and Evergreen Avenues. Mena formerly wrote articles and columns and produce YouTube mini-docs and broadcast reports for the WORD. He has been stringing for Bushwickbk.com in Brooklyn for many moons.

Picture by Jonathan Mena originally for bushwick.com

(more…)

The Obama Conference Call With the WORD and Other Student News Organizations: A Missed Opportunity

Monday, October 4th, 2010

By Jonathan Mena

As I sat listening to Obama’s phone conference call with the WORD and 114 other student journalism organizations last week, I wondered if any of my other student journalism colleagues from around the country were ready to bite his head off (figuratively speaking, of course) with tough questions. Sadly, only three were selected – perhaps, dare I say, pre-selected — and they seemed trapped in the Obama vortex and were star struck, to say the least. The representatives of the age groups that got recognitions for coming together and helping the President trounce McCain, failed to take a risk and grill him.

Jonathan Mena, a former WORD Senior Editor-Producer, posting information on Facebook during the September 27, 2010, conference call. ICIT's Distance Learning, for whom Mena now works, made possible the WORD's participation. Mena is officially graduates this semester.

Jonathan Mena, a former WORD Senior Editor-Producer, posting information on Facebook during the September 27, 2010, conference call. ICIT's Distance Learning, for whom Mena now works, made possible the WORD's participation. Mena officially graduates this semester.

(more…)

FAIR Blog: A Study Says News Networks Prefer – [Are We Really Surprised] – Guest Lawmakers Who Are White, Male, Elderly & Republican

Saturday, September 18th, 2010

“The study was published by the George Mason University School of Law’s Green Bag Journal, and got a brief write-up in the New York Times today (September 13), writes FAIR Blogger Peter Hart. He provides responses from ABC and Meet the Press. Not the others. Hmmm?

He adds that FAIR’s September Issue adds more information about what shows up on the news networks. Hooah!

What News Sources Are My Students Reading About the Economy?

Monday, September 6th, 2010

I have no idea.

My two news writing and one journalism ethics/responsibility courses  were given assignments inquiring about the economy’s dire effects on families, friends, neighbors and, indirectly, of course, themselves. Otherwise, I’m not sure how much and what they are referencing.

I can hardly wait to see what they bring turn in. Except for one student who said she believe that the assignment was seemed, in so many words, intrusive, there were no other responses from the three classes.

Yet …

(more…)

Fox’s Six Tricks: How to Spot the Next Sherrod

Sunday, August 29th, 2010

By Mark Green, Huffington Post
Host, ‘Both Sides Now w/ Huffington & Matalin’,Columnist, the New York Observer

*Posted: August 4, 2010 09:21 A.M. — I know this isn’t exactly news but … neither is Fox. If the FTC could theoretically apply deceptive advertising laws to television content, there would be an hourly disclaimer on Murdoch’s network, “Video ads brought to you by the RNC” (e.g., Palin, Gingrich, Huckabee are employees). For professional reasons, I watch a lot of Fox News. And it’s not easy to fully convey its nightly mendacity.

Read entire column here.



* Playing catchup but catching up is happening.

The Public Discourse Deserves Better Than Steve King

Sunday, August 29th, 2010

By Michael Fauntroy, Huntington Post
Professor, Author, Columnist, Commentator at MichaelFauntroy.com.

*Posted: June 14, 2010 11:01 P.M. — I have heard a number of false allegations leveled against President Barack Obama – socialist, communist, illegal immigrant, terrorist sympathizer, etc. Iowa Congressman Steve King (R-Limbaugh/Coulter/Palin) took things to a new level when he said on G. Gordon Liddy’s radio show that “the President has demonstrated that he has a default mechanism in him that breaks down the side of race – on the side that favors the black person.”

Read entire column here.



*Yes, June 14 is a long time ago but it’s been a busy summer for other matters and this writer is playing catchup.

Glenn Beck’s Restoring Honor: Did Ed Kent Get It Right?

Saturday, August 28th, 2010

This editor/writer was interested, sort of, about the turnout and the karma for this Beck rally in D.C. today. Sort of, as in sometimes the editor watches the Super Bowl and sometimes the World Series and the NBA* finals on occasion. And, of course, how the news media would give it play and review, was of interest, probably more than watching the main event (which, because of the Internet, could be reviewed easily). Also: This could be interesting,  the size of the rally.

Hundreds of thousands were expected but early news reports, though not providing estimates that made sense, reported that tens of thousands had shown up or were showing up for not only Beck’s but one organized by The Reverend Al Sharpton.

(more…)

Wikileaks’ Julian Assange Was the Target of a Dirty Trick — NY Times Reports (in So Many Words)

Saturday, August 21st, 2010

So reporteth the Times:

LONDON — Julian Assange, founder of the whistle-blower Web site WikiLeaks who has been embroiled in a fight with the Pentagon over the recent release of classified documents, briefly became the focus of new attention on Saturday when Swedish prosecutors sought him for questioning on rape allegations — then quickly said the accusations were unfounded. — Full story here.

Wikileaks said in a blog post earlier than the Times’ breaking story:

On Saturday 21st of August, we have been made aware of rape allegations made against Julian Assange, founder of this project and one of our spokespeople.

We are deeply concerned about the seriousness of these allegations. We the people behind WikiLeaks think highly of Julian and and he has our full support.

While Julian is focusing on his defenses and clearing his name, WikiLeaks will be continuing its regular operations.

The WORD to Wikileaks: Release the Kracken, all 15,000 tenacles.