Journalistic Lack of Integrity
 

I found it interesting to read this article which describes an apology that was issued by The New York Times regarding stories they printed that appear not to be true. There's a bit of a scandal involved beyond the usual, because the young man involved was fast tracked to become a full reporter, and was apparently promoted over several more experienced coworkers.

What makes this more interesting is that tonight's Sixty Minutes ran a segment on an almost identical situation, in which a reporter for, in this case, New Republic along with several other print magazines, did much the same thing — made up stories, quotes, sources.

Is this a common practice in journalism? or has it become such?

I wouldn't put it past journalists to write "Yellow Journalism" They've been doing it for a long time. Only now in the digital age it is easier for it to turn into truth.

Ever since news became a business rather than a service, the "sensationalism sells" credo has become more pervasive.
Is there anyone that didn't know that?

*raises hand* Sorry, I'm a little slow.

Yeah, exactly. Some people accuse the press of liberal bias, others of conservative bias, but I think the truth is it's just sensationalist.

If there were no sensationalist edge to news, none of us would watch it. It'd be boring.

My mother often makes a complaint on seeing the first 5 minutes of the local newscast "murder, murder, armed robbery, rape, and dead body, cause unknown ... isn't there any pleasant news?"

"Yes mom, but that's on in the five minutes after the weather. Nobody would watch the fluffy kitty news. That would be boring."

Syc my friend, that is why I do not watch it. Or take the paper.

Hell, as a side note, I didn't even know there is going to be some kind of bio-terror drill here in Seattle.

Years ago, we stopped getting the paper. At the time, we didn't have the intarweb, didn't have cable, and could only get one or two channels on TV; not that we really bothered to watch, much.

My main complaint was not getting to read new comics daily. Now, eh. I only watch network news when I'm exceedingly bored, just about never read news websites, and still don't get the paper.

I don't really think I'm missing much; comics can be read easier and with greater enjoyment online, and anything of significance (or amusement) I'll hear about eventually, one way or another.

      I still think the Daily Show is the best news program on TV...

The sad thing is I agree with you, and can say that without an ounce of sarcasm

The closest I've found to an exception is the CBS news on Sunday mornings. It's mostly fluffy kitty with a few hard items but presented in interesting manner. Basicly no yelling and no hypeing, just reporting.

Ahhhh ... but is that news? CBS Sunday Morning is 60 Minutes' kinder, gentler cousin, ending with the sounds of birds rather than the last ticks of the stopwatch. It's a magazine show, not 'this just in' news programming.

(Not that I'm actually awake that early on a Sunday Morning, but I really liked it better when Charles Kuralt was the host.)

     Being awake early on a sunday morning??? I'm not sure that what's happening in the world is that important. Maybe when Radar's Revolution comes... Nah, I'd rather sleep in. It'll still be news a few hours later.

Of course. It's the heart and soul of fluffy kitty news. Something you don't know, wouldn't affect you if you never found out but interesting anyway.
I must admit Im probably not a good judge, because I'm interested in damn near everything (LOL). But it is nice to watch something that's interesting and doesn't piss me off, like most hard news/sensationalist broadcasts.