It is good journalism. It reports a "sworn affidavit in federal court" with substantial background information. It is not as balanced as it could be by the inclusion of statements by the possible offenders. Of course if this is a matter of pending litigation, the "no comment" reply would most likely prevail. It relies on the "competence and "authority" of Mr. Spoonamore. I have extensive personal experience in the application, use and maintenance of computers. In my opinion his ... More »

It is a good story describing the "panic" of a lot of very high rollers scrambling to get their life jackets on and to rearrange the deck chairs (their personal interests) as the ship (which they themselves torpedoed) is sinking. IT GIVES ABSOLUTELY NO CONTEXT pertaining to the ROOT CAUSE of the crisis. It can be pinpointed EXACTLY to legislation DESIGNED to cause this event. PLEASE DO NOT REVIEW THIS WITHOUT CHECKING OUT MY LINKS BELOW. The new Republican "contract on America" ... More »

By recognizing the "leading" question format, it is almost certain this was a propaganda interview. We will most likely be seeing much more of it as NBC expunges legitimate opposition discourse from its MSNBC subsidiary (i.e. Olberman, Matthews) while replacing them with those more controlled and who toe the line. Publishing the interview text is merely the next step in "propagation" to those who missed the show, but accept motherhood statements that reinforce their predisposition, ... More »

It is good journalism from the standpoit that it is reporting "facts" gathered by an investigatiing committe, most likly the key members of which were appointed by the administration in power. Balance can only be presented by stating attempts to obtain input from the other side, who in this case do not politically "defend" the actions nor wish to amplify public awareness in the political year. Accuracy falls on the report contents being reported as a breaking news item. More than one ... More »

OpEd that could be titled "In defense of Obama's choice" (not a bad thing since that is what OpEds do). Recognizing that it is Mr. Sargent's personal debate on the merits vs demerits of Sen. Biden when he goes into the arena, it is actually a well presented case of "on the other hand, what-if" scenarios pitting two masters (Biden-McCain) against each other, in their game political chess game. Accuracy??? Descriptions of their demeanors seem accurate...accuracy about results if/when ... More »

Good journalism. Facts are stated clearly and concisely. Well balanced. Mr. Bidens background and qualifications presented in the context of the VP job to be filled, as well as some demonstrated negatives that also come as part of the baggage he brings (which the electorate must prioritize in their selection process for the election). While Nagourney's & Zeleny's statement "running mate who could reassure voters about gaps in his résumé," as Obama's "reason" is actually conjecture, ... More »

It is an extremely important one coming on the heels of another NewsTrust rated piece dealing with suppression of voices as we near the November elections. Dissenting views not allowed. See: Comcastic? Fans smell a political rat in moving MSNBC Ms Cullen billed herself as the "lone liberal voice in Pittsburgh". BURIED in the piece is an even more significant disclosure: "The station's format switch also means that the liberal syndicated talk show hosted by Thom Hartmann will ... More »

Poor journalism. Extremely important topic because in a sound bite news environment, name calling by illogical labels frame the debate and distracts from legitimate discourse. Mr. Hart drifts from the central theme and arguments are disjointed from his (important and true) initial premise and conclusion about the logical absurdity of such labels since there are no "pure" forms of these animals.

Excellent op-ed that presents Mr. Horton's case against the justice department's integrity via a preponderance of verifiable accounts of subversion of the American justice processes. (I claim they are verifiable based on my personal and avid c-span veiwing of committee probes on many current issues, in which those who do not give the finger to the subpoena process, yet volunteer to testify do so under oath and have confirmed Mr. Horton's assertions.) Balance is not intended. I rated ... More »

As an op-ed this piece is average journalism. It focuses on one current issue. Since the piece is a one sided attack against a political "tactic", fairness and balance are not objectives, therefore not included. In my opinion, Mr. Kruger tap-dances (as most journalists do) around the central issue,..the constituancy of the base that (for many reasons)readily accepts statements as facts BECAUSE they came from THEIR party politicians therefore TRUE and requiring no fact-checking. Mr. ... More »

An excellent "field log" that documents "tactics" in a nearly ubiquitous "strategy" on the part of the print, cable, and mainstream media services to control the outcome of an election. Balance is difficult to evaluate since it is (in my recall of events, accurate) log of historical quotes compiled to present a case in defense of Senator Obama about foul play specifically against Sen. Obama's "character" while documenting the "tactic" as a Republican mainstay in any electoral cycle. ... More »

Good journalism. Great topic. Will review after posted.

First my review: I feel it is typical journalism, lacking some objectivity and using inflamatory inuendo such as "liberal-bashing" and "caters to" to establish the tone of the article. On the plus side, it is accurately describing the reaction of viewership in two cities in which "selective" channel switching has occurred. Balance-wise it gives (some) viewer reactions while balancing that it could be merely a "business" decision. On the negative side, it freely tosses around the ... More »

Excellent journalism in which (stylistically) highly technical information is condensed and massaged into layman terms. For a possible majority of concerned citizens, the importance is non-debatable. The article is optimistic in the potentialities for contributing to climate change abatement, yet also conveys the practical difficulties of implementation on a large scale. Context and big picture are bolstered by citing authorities (IPCC and G8) "committed" to solutions i.e the quote ... More »

In my opinion, this is a well researched and well presented example of very good journalism. The pros and cons of race based versus class / socio-economic based scgool integration are covered thoroughly, clearly and concisely. As I read the article (as typically occurs) at a particular statement or assertion, I would think "what about this point? or did the author consider this?) When that happened, I found that my ponderings were almost always addressed at some point further in the ... More »

It is good journalism when accepted as the author's well researched, yet partisan, presentation of "evidence" that has both credibility and flow to build the case of deception on the part of the administration to justify illegal and immoral tactics in interrogation of "enemies". In my research, I found that there is (in my opinion) a curiously very important event of which NO media journalists (print or broadcast) whom I contacted would touch with a ten foot pole. Consider the ... More »

In my opinion, this is the worst kind of foul attempt at journalism. Polls at an earlier time had some usefulness as legitimate tools when properly "validated" and supported with other poll questions to allow the responders to sense the context of the question. Today polls are used to manipulate public perceptions ,control public discourse, and ultimately evoke the public action desired by what seems to be partisan backers of the polls A single question such as this in the way it ... More »

Though necessisarily limited in scope, the story reports on a hot button election issue and presents the presumptive Republican presidential candidate's positions based on direct quotes given during a clearly "ambassadorial" trip with the weight of "the (possible) presidency" and it's implications for the Mexican movement in the U.S.A. and Mexico. Mr. Obama being at another location, BBC appears to have researched Mr. Obama's current positions relative to the quotes and appear to ... More »

In my opinion this is excellet journalism. If every American would read this article, then study the seminal work "Shock Doctrine" they would understand who the real terrorist enemies of America are. After reading "Shock Doctrine" I was prompted to obtain Ms. Kleins "No Logo" published 10 years ago. NOW is the perfect time to read (or re-read) No Logo. It was the perfect precursor to todays events. Particularly, for example, with regard to Burma, the American Corporate support of ... More »

Small stab at a huge yet very important topic reported in a 309 page U.N 2008 Drug Report. I tried to find the actual report by going to U.N. website...no luck. Focus shifts in this article from what is happening in Afghanistan to a (in my opinion dubious) rose colored glasses deflection to U.S. reductions in drug use. I specifically noted the phrase "The opium trade has soared since the U.S. -led overthrow of the Taliban, WHICH HAD ERADICATED ALMOST ALL OF THE COUNTRY'S OPIUM ... More »

Excellent journalism. This is a model for the often used, but rarely carried out imperative "follow the money" (because it takes super dedication, patience and perseverence). If one understands and accepts the vastness of the body of work involved, and the resistance to access of the profiteer's covert data, Mr. Turse has provided a "benchmark". Be it impossible, in limited space and time, to address even a small fraction of the financial "black holes" in the military complex, Mr. ... More »

Excellent journalism. Very well structured with historical events in conjunction with their evoking political doctrines and strategies. It is written from a "Conservative on Conservatism" perspective. It flows through time and is detailed and thorough. It "explains" philosophical conflicts between the various positions on the Conservative - Liberal continuum (as applicable to clarify tension) with only minor lapses into characterizations of those positions as "proper or improper" ... More »

It is extremely important topic because it "reveals" the thought processes of institutions that are currently setting and controlling policy via the American political structure. Information, fairness, sources, context, evidence, balance, and accuracy are, in my opinion, are more close to propaganda than journalism because (although, on a micro level, the arguments center around R2P) the principles are themselves espousing macro level "doctrine" developed by their respective ... More »

It is good journalism with respect to the specific middle eastern international (yet regional) diplomacy conundrum whereby (as shown by several examples) the U.S.'s role has been marginalized (more correctly neutered). In that limited context, specific facts are clear and the column is good for the small picture intended.. In my opinion, however, I feel that the BIG picture may be glossed over, particularly by the statement "That absence reflects Bush's lame-duck status, experts ... More »

It is good journalism. Subject matter goes to the heart of "freedom of the press" ....to be manipulated. All societies are controlled (either positively or negatively) by their access to to, or prevention from valid information. When the flow of information is filtered (censored), manipulated (propaganda), or cut off completely the society may become brain dead ( an objective of PsyOps).The article is well researched in a time when access to important relevent documents is ... More »

It is a good OpEd piece. While it represents the views of the journalist, the content goes to the heart of why America has (In My Opinion) a sadly ignorant political constituancy. I too watched the "debate" (using the term loosley because moderators are now more manipulators, than objective non-partisans), and the avoidance of substance pointed out by Mr. Bunch was also a concern to me. My favorite reference is "The Art of Deception" by Nicholas Capaldi (a study in critical ... More »

Average journalism. Attempts to balance to some extent, however sourcing is skewed toward the telecoms with specific name of authorities whereas the opposition is presented as faceless organizations. Also, no specific details of what the telecoms would functionally do to harm the public. A better explanation of the harm to average internet users is needed. It is a very complex issue. "Free market" is an emotive yet deceptive and persuasive term in a soundbite world. Aws an example, ... More »

It is good journalism. It is important and relevent to an audience that presumably would like to know if/when they are being duped. The two methods of distortion are presented clearly using examples applicable to each/both sides of the most common of political opponents. While I disagree with the author's conclusion "We do not think the deceptions were premeditated" for several reasons (see my research), mainly that motive is primary and in each example the objective was to persuade ... More »

Per se, as a report of a survey result, it is functional journalism. Since polls are now used to manipulate rather than provide information, the question is a perfect red herring ripe for use as propaganda. While it presents the "big picture" of dissatisfaction, which in this case merely reflects intuition, it provides no details of causation. There are some very dangerous omissions as a result of such a generic question. For example, in the reported results there is an implication ... More »

As a David and Goliath story to perpetuate “hope” that victory can be achieved through perseverance of the magnitude shown by the Apostle Paul., this is an excellent story of faith and works in action. From that perspective, Daly’s rock to throw (for her single, yet vital Global Warming cause) is the shareholder resolution. The good news, a few rocks may be causing Exxon to shift around (some might call it tap dancing). If that were all there is to the story it is a great story of ... More »