"For a long time, I have felt that journalists have gone too far in elevating objectivity as a supreme journalism value, especially when objectivity became to some synonymous with "fair and balanced." I was growing increasingly doubtful of that view even before the most partisan TV news network adopted that phrase as its tongue-in-cheek slogan.
Equating balance with fairness and objectivity too often results in a false balance that produces inaccurate stories. At some extremes we know that, understanding that there is nothing fair or accurate about balancing a story about the Holocaust with the opinions of anti-Semites who deny historic fact. But too often, we "balance" stories about the scientific facts of climate change with quotes from politicians who deny scientific fact. That's not objective, it's inaccurate."
President Obama's approval ratings among black voters plummeted last month to their lowest levels ever, while his support among Hispanics took a tumble in the same period, according to a surprising new poll released yesterday.
"This month is the third anniversary of one of the Yankees' scouting coups, when Alfredo Aceves and Manny Banuelos were among four players plucked from their team in Mexico, Sultanes de Monterrey, for $450,000. "
"Here's a first look at the upcoming Sidekick, a re-imagining of the classic Paris Hilton handset, built around a shell of Google-powered Android goodness. The new phone, made by Samsung, maintains the iconic look and feel of the thing, and some of the user experience, too. It's not all the same, but it will probably make some once and future Sidekickers very happy."
"A revised version of an ordinance to regulate solar energy will be reviewed at a special Planning Board meeting at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 16 in the firehouse.
After its review by the Planning Board, it may be introduced at the Monday, March 21 Borough Council meeting, at 7 p.m. in the firehouse."
"TRIPOLI, Libya - After a second night of American and European strikes by air and sea against Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi's forces, European nations rejected on Monday Libyan claims that civilians had been killed, while pro-Qaddafi forces were reportedly still holding out against the allied campaign to break their hold on the ground while enforcing a no-fly zone. "
"Arizona was sitting pretty. The Longhorns were playing like garbage, digging themselves a 13 point hole early in the second half, despite the Wildcats getting absolutely nothing from Derrick Williams early on. The all-american sophomore had just three points and two boards in the first half, going 0-6 from the floor."
"AT&T Inc. said it was buying T-Mobile USA from Deutsche Telekom AG for $39 billion in cash and stock, a move that would create the nation's largest wireless carrier and shift the competitive landscape of the U.S. industry."
"Robert Bakic, owner of a car repair shop in Republican state Sen. Mary Lazich's district, admires her for voting in favor of legislation that ended limited collective bargaining for most public employees."
"A public hearing is scheduled for Thursday, March 24 regarding the renewal of a wastewater discharge permit for property near Route 78.
The state Department of Environmental Protection revoked the permit four years ago but apparently later re-granted it after an appeal."
"TOKYO - Japanese officials began quietly encouraging people to evacuate a larger swath of territory around the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant on Friday, a sign that they hold little hope that the crippled facility will soon be brought under control. "
"WASHINGTON - The economy grew a little faster at the end of 2010 than the government had previously estimated, boosted by more inventory building and business investment in plants and equipment."
"Deflation has truly arrived: Big, profitable companies are going for free.
That is, at least, what AT&T is claiming in relation to its T-Mobile USA acquisition from Deutsche Telekom. AT&T says the $39 billion cost of the deal is more than offset by the present-day value of synergies. "
"ANAHEIM, Calif. -- An almost perplexed smile crawled across the face of Arizona forward Derrick Williams as he walked off the court Thursday. He had sunk a 27-footer to cap the best half of any person in this NCAA tournament, but he couldn't celebrate and probably felt a little guilty about even smiling. After all, his Wildcats trailed by six."
"FLEMINGTON - Now there is only one redevelopment team contending for the job of redeveloping the Union Hotel, and it is not the one recommended by a special committee that evaluated the redevelopment plans and teams.
It's the team that plans to revive the four-story Main Street landmark as a real room-renting hotel - Frank Banisch, Joe LoPiccolo and Matt McPherson."
"The United States economy showed signs of kicking into gear in March, as the Labor Department reported Friday that it added 216,000 jobs and knocked the unemployment rate down another jot, to 8.8 percent. "
"The question was put to Kentucky coach John Calipari shortly after his players had finished snipping the nets and celebrating the Wildcats' first NCAA regional championship in 13 years."
"Hybrids and electric vehicles were just the beginning. Next up: the mushroom mobile.
Ecovative Design, a startup in Green Island, N.Y., is collaborating with the Ford Motor Company (F, Fortune 500) to develop a fungus-based, biodegradable foam for automotive bumpers, side doors and dashboards."
Tom McHale on 05 Oct 14"For a long time, I have felt that journalists have gone too far in elevating objectivity as a supreme journalism value, especially when objectivity became to some synonymous with "fair and balanced." I was growing increasingly doubtful of that view even before the most partisan TV news network adopted that phrase as its tongue-in-cheek slogan. Equating balance with fairness and objectivity too often results in a false balance that produces inaccurate stories. At some extremes we know that, understanding that there is nothing fair or accurate about balancing a story about the Holocaust with the opinions of anti-Semites who deny historic fact. But too often, we "balance" stories about the scientific facts of climate change with quotes from politicians who deny scientific fact. That's not objective, it's inaccurate."
