CommonDreams - journalistic standards - opinions please

[seemslikeadream]

These are NOT my words.

I've only read CommonDreams but I found them to publish what fits a particular viewpoint without regards to any journalistic standards.


Do you agree or disagree with this statement

[buycitgo]

1. as opposed to, say, newsmax?

what/who, specifically, do you have a problem with?

they publish stuff from all over the place, mostly left spectrum, sure, but where have they been printing things that don't measure up to your idea of journalistic standards?

[seemslikeadream]

2. I have no problem with CommonDreams buycitgo

I cite them all the time. Another DU member just said that to me and I wanted to see what others here thought.

Thanks for your opinion

[buycitgo]

4. didn't mean to come across argumento........sorry

usually don't read CD unless somebody links them

what I've read has fit my own preconceptions, like the very recent John Dean article on Plame

did you see that one

most excellent analysis, which bodes ill for the junta principals

[seemslikeadream]

7. I haven't read Dean's but I will now, thanks

I was just suprised that someone here would characterize CD that way.

odd I thought

[jpgray]

3. Some pieces yes, others no

I believe in one article Pilger called Dean the only anti-war candidate, for example--it fit his point at the time, but it wasn't accurate. If you ask me to provide a link, I'll have to do a search tomorrow morning, as I'm going to bed. But someone ought to be able to find it--I believe I made a comment somewhere in the thread.

This does NOT mean this sort of thing is 'common' for CommonDreams or for Pilger, but there are instances of articles that seem to willfully obscure some facts to make a larger point. Of course, almost every major newspaper has been guilty of this, so I don't think this makes CD especially problematic.

So I guess I would have to disagree. Took me a while to do so, though. :D

[NV1962]

5. Disagree - slant ain't the same as bias

Even if that statement had included a qualifier like "mostly" or "often" the unmitigated bit about "without regards to any journalistic standards" is pure horsesh*t.

Yes, CD has a pretty clear lefty slant but that doesn't mean there's no selection criterium beyond sheer ideological fitness for purpose... Yes, sometimes drivel gets posted. So what? Check out the recent NY Times editorial on its Iraq coverage.

If that comment is inspired by a perceived lack of articles that "favor the right" then the remedy is obvious: check out NewsMax for balance.

Sounds like a comment made by another patient suffering from the political Binary Syndrome in this country...

[seemslikeadream]

8. Thanks NV1962 for the advice

Sounds like a comment made by another patient suffering from the political Binary Syndrome in this country...

I agree with that!

[librechik]

6. the newslinks are excellent and have high journalistic standards

commentary is independent or left leaning. I see them as having acceptable journalistic standards (better than Fox, or maybe even CNN. )

Of course they do publish advocacy pieces, but they don't pretend they're nanpartisan unbiased factual newspieces, like the RNC or Fox does...

What is a specific example of this complaint against them?

[seemslikeadream]

9. That's what I thought too librechik

"the newslinks are excellent and have high journalistic standards"

I'll defer the specific complaint for now, would like a couple more opinions first.

[theoceansnerves]

10. they link to articles

that in general are from individuals with high journalistic standards. they bill themselves as a news service that provides news for the progressive community. of course they are going to publish articles that fit that viewpoint! but the articles are by a vast majority, of good journalistic standards. their newswire is just press releases from organizations without commentary, so you can make up your own mind. i have no problems at all with the site, and in fact it's one of my favorites. i honestly don't see where the problem is, unless you just aren't keen on reading things from a progressive viewpoint.

[seemslikeadream]

11. keen on reading things from a progressive viewpoint.

There's the key words for me. I appreciate you taking the time theoceansnerves