Tuesday, August 15, 2006

Reuters - Still Limited Journalistic Integrity

Given the flap over photoshopped pictures taken by its Lebanon-based photographer, Reuters has reiterated its photo policy and introduced new standards.

This begs the question, when will the same rule apply to the language used by journalists?

It's not uncommom for a reporter to use suggestive language, like using 'Advocate' when the reporter likes the political leaning of the group, but the term 'Lobbyist' when he disdains it. Such an example would be 'NRA lobbyists confronting gun-control advocates.'

Or a more recent example is omitting the term 'illegal' when descibing The Minutemen as anti-immigration.

If theres a policy against doctoring photos - why not language?

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