Society of Professional Journalists Code Of Ethics That The Main Stream Media Is Not Abiding By

Please share this on all of the websites of Left-Wing media outlets that profess to be reporting news accurately.  Please also share on the Facebook page, Twitter account, or any Website etc. of individual reporters, bloggers that are espousing lies to cover for the corruption of this administration and inaccurately reporting the news to their viewers.

After reading through the Code of Ethics they should be abiding by, I have concluded Obama and his talking heads don't have any ethics and need a refresher course. 

Sept 29, 2011

Obama: 'I Don't Think Ethics' Was My Favorite Subject
Obama told an audience of high school students in Washington, D.C. that he was "not always the very best student" and that ethics "would not have made it on the list" of his favorite subjects.

Relationship with freedom of the press

In countries without freedom of the press, the majority of people who report the news may not follow the standards of journalism. Non-free media are often prohibited from criticizing the national government, and in many cases are required to distribute propaganda as if it were news. Various other forms of censorship may restrict reporting on issues the government deems sensitive.

 That sure sounds like the majority of the media in the United States of America, doesn't it?

*****************************************

These guidelines inspired Society of Professional Journalists which is the current version of media ethics that were adopted in 1996.

Society of Professional Journalists: Code of Ethics

The Society of Professional Journalists created a code of ethics that are in effect today. The main mantra of the code is "Seek truth and Report it!"(Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478) The code also states that: "Journalists should be honest, fair, and courageous in gathering, reporting, and interpreting information. Journalists should:"

• "Test the accuracy of information from all sources and exercise care to avoid inadvertent error. Deliberate distortion is never permissible."(Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
• "Diligently seek out subjects of news stories to give them the opportunity to respond to allegations of wrongdoing."(Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
• "Identify sources whenever feasible. The public is entitled to as much information as possible on sources' reliability." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
• "Always question sources' motives before promising anonymity. Clarify conditions attached to any promise made in exchange for information. Keep promises." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
• "Make certain that headlines, news teases, and promotional material, photos, video, audio, graphics, sound bites, and quotations do not misrepresent. They should not oversimplify or highlight incidents out of context." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
• "Never distort the content of news photos or video. Image enhancement for technical clarity is always permissible. Label montages and photo illustrations." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
• "Avoid misleading reenactments or staged news events. If reenactment is necessary to tell a story, label it." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
• "Avoid undercover or other surreptitious methods of gathering information except when traditional open methods will not yield information vital to the public. Use of such methods should be explained as part of the story." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
• "Never plagiarize." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
• "Tell the story of the diversity and magnitude of the human experience boldly, even, when it is unpopular to do so." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
• "Examine their own cultural values and avoid imposing those values on others." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
• "Avoid stereotyping by race, gender, age, religion, ethnicity, geography, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, or social status." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
• "Support the open exchange of views, even views they find repugnant." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
• "Give voice to the voiceless; official and unofficial sources of information can be equally valid." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
• "Distinguish between advocacy and news reporting. Analysis and commentary should be labeled and not misrepresent fact or content." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
• "Distinguish news from advertising, and shun hybrids that blur the lines between the two." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
• "Recognize a special obligation to ensure that the public's business is conducted in the open and that government records are open to inspection." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)

Minimize Harm "Ethical journalists treat sources, subjects, and colleagues as human beings deserving of respect. Journalists should" (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)

• "Show compassion for those who may be affected adversely by news coverage. Use special sensitivity when dealing with children and inexperienced sources or subjects." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
• "Be sensitive when seeking or using interviews or photographs of those affected by tragedy or guilt." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
• "Recognize that gathering and reporting information may cause harm or discomfort. Pursuit of the news is not a license for arrogance." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
• "Recognize that private people have a greater right to control information about themselves that do public officials and others who seek power, influence, or attention. Only an overriding public need can justify intrusion into anyone's privacy." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
• "Show good taste. Avoid pandering to lurid curiosity." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
• "Be cautions of identifying juvenile suspects or victims of sex crimes." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
• "Be judicious about naming criminal suspects before the formal filing of charges." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
• "Balance a criminal suspect's fair trial rights with the public's right to be informed." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)

Act Independently "Journalists should be free of obligation to any interest other than the public's right to know. Journalists should" ." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)

• "Avoid conflict of interest, real or perceived." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
• "Remain free of associations and activities that may compromise integrity or damage credibility." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
• "Refuse gifts, favors, fees, free travel, and special treatment, and shun secondary employment, political involvement, public office, and service in community organizations if they compromise journalistic integrity." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
• "Disclose unavoidable conflicts." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 479)
• "Be vigilant and courageous about holding those with power accountable." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 479)
• "Deny favored treatment to advertisers and special interests and resist their pressure to influence news coverage." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 479)
• "Be wary of sources offering information for favors or money; avoid bidding for news." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 479)

Be Accountable "Journalists are accountable to their readers, listeners, viewers, and each other. Journalists should:" (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 479)

• "Clarify and explain news coverage and invite dialogue with the public over journalistic conduct." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 479)
• "Encourage the public to voice grievances against the news media." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 479)
• "Admit mistakes and correct them promptly." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 479)
• "Expose unethical practices of journalists and the news media." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 479)
• "Abide by the same high standards to which they hold others." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 479)

All of these guidelines are for the betterment of society and regulation of media.

*************************************** 
REVISED 2014 VERSION:

Ethics Code Revision: Final Draft as approved by the SPJ Ethics Committee Updated 1:30 p.m.Saturday, Sept. 6, 2014

Preamble

Members of the Society of Professional Journalists believe that public enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy. Ethical journalism strives to ensure the free exchange of information that is accurate, fair and thorough. An ethical journalist acts with integrity.

The Society declares these four principles as the foundation of ethical journalism and encourages their use in its practice by all people in all media.

Seek Truth and Report It

Ethical journalism should be accurate and fair. Journalists should be honest and courageous in gathering, reporting and interpreting information.

Journalists should:

– Take responsibility for the accuracy of their work. Verify information before releasing it. Use original sources whenever possible.

– Remember that neither speed nor format excuses inaccuracy.

– Provide context. Take special care not to misrepresent or oversimplify in promoting, previewing or summarizing a story.

– Gather, update and correct information throughout the life of a news story.

– Be cautious when making promises, but keep the promises they make.

– Identify sources clearly. The public is entitled to as much information as possible to judge the reliability and motivations of sources.

– Consider sources’ motives before promising anonymity. Reserve anonymity for sources who may face danger, retribution or other harm, and have information that cannot be obtained elsewhere. Explain why anonymity was granted.

– Diligently seek subjects of news coverage to allow them to respond to criticism or allegations of wrongdoing.

– Avoid undercover or other surreptitious methods of gathering information unless traditional, open methods will not yield information vital to the public.

– Be vigilant and courageous about holding those with power accountable. Give voice to the voiceless.

– Support the open and civil exchange of views, even views they find repugnant.

– Recognize a special obligation to serve as watchdogs over public affairs and government. Seek to ensure that the public’s business is conducted in the open, and that public records are open to all.

– Provide access to source material when it is relevant and appropriate.

– Boldly tell the story of the diversity and magnitude of the human experience. Seek sources whose voices we seldom hear.

– Avoid stereotyping. Journalists should examine the ways their values and experiences may shape their reporting.

– Label advocacy and commentary.

– Never deliberately distort facts or context, including visual information. Clearly label illustrations and re-enactments.

– Never plagiarize. Always attribute.

  Minimize Harm

Ethical journalism treats sources, subjects, colleagues and members of the public as human beings deserving of respect.

Journalists should:

– Balance the public’s need for information against potential harm or discomfort. Pursuit of the news is not a license for arrogance or undue intrusiveness.

– Show compassion for those who may be affected by news coverage. Use heightened sensitivity when dealing with juveniles, victims of sex crimes, and sources or subjects who are inexperienced or unable to give consent. Consider cultural differences in approach and treatment.

– Recognize that legal access to information differs from an ethical justification to publish or broadcast.

– Realize that private people have a greater right to control information about themselves than public figures and others who seek power, influence or attention. Weigh the consequences of publishing or broadcasting personal information.

– Avoid pandering to lurid curiosity, even if others do.

– Balance a suspect’s right to a fair trial with the public’s right to know. Consider the implications of identifying criminal suspects before they face legal charges.

– Consider the long-term implications of the extended reach and permanence of publication. Provide updated and more complete information as appropriate.

Act Independently

The highest and primary obligation of ethical journalism is to serve the public.

Journalists should:

– Avoid conflicts of interest, real or perceived. Disclose unavoidable conflicts.

– Refuse gifts, favors, fees, free travel and special treatment, and avoid political and other outside activities that may compromise integrity or impartiality, or may damage credibility.

– Be wary of sources offering information for favors or money; do not pay for access to news. Identify content provided by outside sources, whether paid or not.

– Deny favored treatment to advertisers, donors or any other special interests, and resist internal and external pressure to influence coverage.

– Distinguish news from advertising and shun hybrids that blur the lines between the two. Prominently label sponsored content.

Be Accountable and Transparent

Ethical journalism means taking responsibility for one’s work and explaining one’s decisions to the public.

Journalists should:

– Explain ethical choices and processes to audiences. Encourage a civil dialogue with the public about journalistic practices, coverage and news content.

– Respond quickly to questions about accuracy, clarity and fairness.

– Acknowledge mistakes and correct them promptly and prominently. Explain corrections and clarifications carefully and clearly.

– Expose unethical conduct in journalism, including within their organizations.

– Abide by the same high standards they expect of others.

The SPJ Code of Ethics is a statement of abiding principles supported by additional explanations and position papers that address changing journalistic practices. It is not a set of rules, rather a guide that encourages all who engage in journalism to take responsibility for the information they provide, regardless of medium. The code should be read as a whole; individual principles should not be taken out of context. It is not, nor can it be under the First Amendment, legally enforceable.

Sigma Delta Chi's first Code of Ethics was borrowed from the American Society of Newspaper Editors in 1926. In 1973, Sigma Delta Chi wrote its own code, which was revised in 1984, 1987, 1996 and 2014.

Other Sources of Ethics In Journalism:
Reuters Handbook Of Journalism

Media Entertainment & Arts Alliance - Journalists' Code of Ethics

Society of Professional Journalists Code Of Ethics That The Main Stream Media Is Not Abiding By

Please share this on all of the websites of Left-Wing media outlets that profess to be reporting news accurately.  Please also share on the Facebook page, Twitter account, or any Website etc. of individual reporters, bloggers that are espousing lies to cover for the corruption of this administration and inaccurately reporting the news to their viewers.

After reading through the Code of Ethics they should be abiding by, I have concluded Obama and his talking heads don't have any ethics and need a refresher course. 

Relationship with freedom of the press

In countries without freedom of the press, the majority of people who report the news may not follow the standards of journalism. Non-free media are often prohibited from criticizing the national government, and in many cases are required to distribute propaganda as if it were news. Various other forms of censorship may restrict reporting on issues the government deems sensitive.

 That sure sounds like the majority of the media in the United States of America, doesn't it?

*****************************************

These guidelines inspired Society of Professional Journalists which is the current version of media ethics that were adopted in 1996.

Society of Professional Journalists: Code of Ethics

The Society of Professional Journalists created a code of ethics that are in effect today. The main mantra of the code is "Seek truth and Report it!"(Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478) The code also states that: "Journalists should be honest, fair, and courageous in gathering, reporting, and interpreting information. Journalists should:"

• "Test the accuracy of information from all sources and exercise care to avoid inadvertent error. Deliberate distortion is never permissible."(Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
• "Diligently seek out subjects of news stories to give them the opportunity to respond to allegations of wrongdoing."(Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
• "Identify sources whenever feasible. The public is entitled to as much information as possible on sources' reliability." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
• "Always question sources' motives before promising anonymity. Clarify conditions attached to any promise made in exchange for information. Keep promises." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
• "Make certain that headlines, news teases, and promotional material, photos, video, audio, graphics, sound bites, and quotations do not misrepresent. They should not oversimplify or highlight incidents out of context." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
• "Never distort the content of news photos or video. Image enhancement for technical clarity is always permissible. Label montages and photo illustrations." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
• "Avoid misleading reenactments or staged news events. If reenactment is necessary to tell a story, label it." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
• "Avoid undercover or other surreptitious methods of gathering information except when traditional open methods will not yield information vital to the public. Use of such methods should be explained as part of the story." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
• "Never plagiarize." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
• "Tell the story of the diversity and magnitude of the human experience boldly, even, when it is unpopular to do so." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
• "Examine their own cultural values and avoid imposing those values on others." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
• "Avoid stereotyping by race, gender, age, religion, ethnicity, geography, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, or social status." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
• "Support the open exchange of views, even views they find repugnant." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
• "Give voice to the voiceless; official and unofficial sources of information can be equally valid." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
• "Distinguish between advocacy and news reporting. Analysis and commentary should be labeled and not misrepresent fact or content." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
• "Distinguish news from advertising, and shun hybrids that blur the lines between the two." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
• "Recognize a special obligation to ensure that the public's business is conducted in the open and that government records are open to inspection." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)

Minimize Harm "Ethical journalists treat sources, subjects, and colleagues as human beings deserving of respect. Journalists should" (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)

• "Show compassion for those who may be affected adversely by news coverage. Use special sensitivity when dealing with children and inexperienced sources or subjects." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
• "Be sensitive when seeking or using interviews or photographs of those affected by tragedy or guilt." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
• "Recognize that gathering and reporting information may cause harm or discomfort. Pursuit of the news is not a license for arrogance." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
• "Recognize that private people have a greater right to control information about themselves that do public officials and others who seek power, influence, or attention. Only an overriding public need can justify intrusion into anyone's privacy." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
• "Show good taste. Avoid pandering to lurid curiosity." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
• "Be cautions of identifying juvenile suspects or victims of sex crimes." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
• "Be judicious about naming criminal suspects before the formal filing of charges." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
• "Balance a criminal suspect's fair trial rights with the public's right to be informed." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)

Act Independently "Journalists should be free of obligation to any interest other than the public's right to know. Journalists should" ." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)

• "Avoid conflict of interest, real or perceived." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
• "Remain free of associations and activities that may compromise integrity or damage credibility." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
• "Refuse gifts, favors, fees, free travel, and special treatment, and shun secondary employment, political involvement, public office, and service in community organizations if they compromise journalistic integrity." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 478)
• "Disclose unavoidable conflicts." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 479)
• "Be vigilant and courageous about holding those with power accountable." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 479)
• "Deny favored treatment to advertisers and special interests and resist their pressure to influence news coverage." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 479)
• "Be wary of sources offering information for favors or money; avoid bidding for news." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 479)

Be Accountable "Journalists are accountable to their readers, listeners, viewers, and each other. Journalists should:" (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 479)

• "Clarify and explain news coverage and invite dialogue with the public over journalistic conduct." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 479)
• "Encourage the public to voice grievances against the news media." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 479)
• "Admit mistakes and correct them promptly." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 479)
• "Expose unethical practices of journalists and the news media." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 479)
• "Abide by the same high standards to which they hold others." (Straubhaar, LaRose & Davenport, Pg 479)

All of these guidelines are for the betterment of society and regulation of media.

*************************************** 
REVISED 2014 VERSION:

Ethics Code Revision: Final Draft as approved by the SPJ Ethics Committee Updated 1:30 p.m.Saturday, Sept. 6, 2014

Preamble

Members of the Society of Professional Journalists believe that public enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy. Ethical journalism strives to ensure the free exchange of information that is accurate, fair and thorough. An ethical journalist acts with integrity.

The Society declares these four principles as the foundation of ethical journalism and encourages their use in its practice by all people in all media.

Seek Truth and Report It

Ethical journalism should be accurate and fair. Journalists should be honest and courageous in gathering, reporting and interpreting information.

Journalists should:

– Take responsibility for the accuracy of their work. Verify information before releasing it. Use original sources whenever possible.

– Remember that neither speed nor format excuses inaccuracy.

– Provide context. Take special care not to misrepresent or oversimplify in promoting, previewing or summarizing a story.

– Gather, update and correct information throughout the life of a news story.

– Be cautious when making promises, but keep the promises they make.

– Identify sources clearly. The public is entitled to as much information as possible to judge the reliability and motivations of sources.

– Consider sources’ motives before promising anonymity. Reserve anonymity for sources who may face danger, retribution or other harm, and have information that cannot be obtained elsewhere. Explain why anonymity was granted.

– Diligently seek subjects of news coverage to allow them to respond to criticism or allegations of wrongdoing.

– Avoid undercover or other surreptitious methods of gathering information unless traditional, open methods will not yield information vital to the public.

– Be vigilant and courageous about holding those with power accountable. Give voice to the voiceless.

– Support the open and civil exchange of views, even views they find repugnant.

– Recognize a special obligation to serve as watchdogs over public affairs and government. Seek to ensure that the public’s business is conducted in the open, and that public records are open to all.

– Provide access to source material when it is relevant and appropriate.

– Boldly tell the story of the diversity and magnitude of the human experience. Seek sources whose voices we seldom hear.

– Avoid stereotyping. Journalists should examine the ways their values and experiences may shape their reporting.

– Label advocacy and commentary.

– Never deliberately distort facts or context, including visual information. Clearly label illustrations and re-enactments.

– Never plagiarize. Always attribute.

  Minimize Harm

Ethical journalism treats sources, subjects, colleagues and members of the public as human beings deserving of respect.

Journalists should:

– Balance the public’s need for information against potential harm or discomfort. Pursuit of the news is not a license for arrogance or undue intrusiveness.

– Show compassion for those who may be affected by news coverage. Use heightened sensitivity when dealing with juveniles, victims of sex crimes, and sources or subjects who are inexperienced or unable to give consent. Consider cultural differences in approach and treatment.

– Recognize that legal access to information differs from an ethical justification to publish or broadcast.

– Realize that private people have a greater right to control information about themselves than public figures and others who seek power, influence or attention. Weigh the consequences of publishing or broadcasting personal information.

– Avoid pandering to lurid curiosity, even if others do.

– Balance a suspect’s right to a fair trial with the public’s right to know. Consider the implications of identifying criminal suspects before they face legal charges.

– Consider the long-term implications of the extended reach and permanence of publication. Provide updated and more complete information as appropriate.

Act Independently

The highest and primary obligation of ethical journalism is to serve the public.

Journalists should:

– Avoid conflicts of interest, real or perceived. Disclose unavoidable conflicts.

– Refuse gifts, favors, fees, free travel and special treatment, and avoid political and other outside activities that may compromise integrity or impartiality, or may damage credibility.

– Be wary of sources offering information for favors or money; do not pay for access to news. Identify content provided by outside sources, whether paid or not.

– Deny favored treatment to advertisers, donors or any other special interests, and resist internal and external pressure to influence coverage.

– Distinguish news from advertising and shun hybrids that blur the lines between the two. Prominently label sponsored content.

Be Accountable and Transparent

Ethical journalism means taking responsibility for one’s work and explaining one’s decisions to the public.

Journalists should:

– Explain ethical choices and processes to audiences. Encourage a civil dialogue with the public about journalistic practices, coverage and news content.

– Respond quickly to questions about accuracy, clarity and fairness.

– Acknowledge mistakes and correct them promptly and prominently. Explain corrections and clarifications carefully and clearly.

– Expose unethical conduct in journalism, including within their organizations.

– Abide by the same high standards they expect of others.

The SPJ Code of Ethics is a statement of abiding principles supported by additional explanations and position papers that address changing journalistic practices. It is not a set of rules, rather a guide that encourages all who engage in journalism to take responsibility for the information they provide, regardless of medium. The code should be read as a whole; individual principles should not be taken out of context. It is not, nor can it be under the First Amendment, legally enforceable.

Sigma Delta Chi's first Code of Ethics was borrowed from the American Society of Newspaper Editors in 1926. In 1973, Sigma Delta Chi wrote its own code, which was revised in 1984, 1987, 1996 and 2014.

Other Sources of Ethics In Journalism:
Reuters Handbook Of Journalism

Media Entertainment & Arts Alliance - Journalists' Code of Ethics

 

 

UPDATE 12/19/2011 FCC Commissioner Delivers Warning On Threat To ‘Internet Freedom’

UPDATE 12/19/2011 -The lone Republican on the FCC issues a dire warning about the future of the internet.  In order to understand how dangerous this is to our freedom in America, please read my other posts about this FCC Chairman, Julius Genachowski, as well as the other 2 Democrat members of the FCC that are more than willing to destroy the internet as we know it.~ 

(One of the audio posts at the bottom of the page is set to start when the page loads and I am unable to disable that so please scroll to bottom to pause/stop it...Thanks!)

FCC Commissioner Delivers Warning On Threat To ‘Internet Freedom’

By Tim Devaney

The Washington Times

Monday, December 19, 2011

The United States is unprepared for an international fight that’s brewing over whether the Internet will remain free from government regulations or fall increasingly under the control of emerging global powers, Federal Communications Commissioner Robert McDowell warned Monday

“The proponents of Internet freedom and prosperity have been asleep at the switch,” Mr. McDowell, the lone Republican serving at the FCC, told editors and reporters at The Washington Times. “Or maybe I should say asleep at the router.”

The 193-member International Telecommunications Union (ITU), a U.N. agency, will meet in Dubai next December to renegotiate the 24-year-old treaty that deals with international oversight of the Internet. A growing number of countries are pushing greater governmental control and management of the Web’s availability, financial model and infrastructure.

They believe the current model is “dominated” by the U.S., and want to “take that control and power away,” Mr. McDowell said. China and Russia support the effort, but so do non-Western U.S. allies such as Brazil, South Africa and India.

“Thus far, those who are pushing for new intergovernmental powers over the Internet are far more energized and organized than those who favor the Internet freedom and prosperity,” he said.

While growth of the Internet has exploded under a minimal regulatory model over the past two decades, “significant government and civil society support is developing for a different policy outlook,” according to an analysis by lawyers David Gross and M. Ethan Lucarelli on the legal intelligence website www.lexology.com.

“Driven largely by the global financial troubles of recent years, together with persistent concerns about the implications of the growth of the Internet for national economies, social structures and cultures, some governments and others are now actively reconsidering the continuing viability of liberalization and competition-based policies,” they wrote.

Mr. McDowell is trying to halt that trend. He has met with State Department Ambassador Philip Verveer and Assistant Secretary of Commerce Larry Strickling, two people who will determine the country’s role in this debate.

“They’re very well aware of it,” Mr. McDowell said. “The Obama administration is in the right position. But my concern is that we’re behind the curve.”

A bad treaty - which would need the support of only a bare majority of U.N. members to pass and which the United States could not veto - could bring “a whole parade of problems,” Mr. McDowell said.

The U.S. and other Western democracies would likely “opt out” of the treaty, he predicted, leading to a “Balkanization” of the global information network. Governments under the treaty would have greater authority to regulate rates and local access, and such critical emerging issues as cybersecurity and data privacy standards would be subject to international control.

Mr. McDowell said the treaty could open the door to allowing revenue-hungry national governments to charge Internet giants such as Google, Facebook and Amazon for their data traffic on a “per click” basis. The more website visitors those companies get, the more they pay.

The FCC commissioner said he is trying to sound the alarm about the U.N. effort because he believes the Internet has thrived precisely because of the absence of central government control.

In 1988, when the treaty was signed, fewer than 100,000 people used the Internet, Mr. McDowell said. Shortly after it was privatized in 1995, that number jumped to 16 million users. As of this year, it is up to 2 billion users, with another 500,000 joining every day.

Read More - Continued The Washington Times

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

FCC Commissioner Tells BBC: “American Media Has A Bad Case Of Substance Abuse”

In an interview to air tonight on BBC World News America, FCC Commissioner Michael J. Copps describes American journalism as having reached “its hour of grave peril.”
 
Copps, who will speak at the Columbia University School of Journalism tomorrow suggests government control may be the answer to ensure that American citizens have access to news and information. Copps says for years, a lack of “oversight of the media” has resulted in an era with nonstop cable news–but, in his belief, far less actual news being covered–less news now than we had access to five years ago:

It’s a pretty serious situation that we’re in. I think American media has a bad case of substance abuse right now. We are not producing the body of news and information that democracy needs to conduct its civic dialogue, we’re not producing as much news as we did five years, 10 years, 15 years ago and we have to reverse that trend or I think we are going to be pretty close to denying our citizens the essential news and information that they need to have in order to make intelligent decisions about the future direction of their country.

*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*

F.C.C. Commissioner Proposes ‘Public Values Test’

 1202/2010

Michael J. Copps, one of the four Michael J. Copps, one of the four commissioners on the Federal Communications Commission, is proposing a “public value test” for television and radio stations that he thinks should replace the current licensing process.

He said the test “would get us back to the original licensing bargain between broadcasters and the people: in return for free use of airwaves that belong exclusively to the people, licensees agree to serve the public interest as good stewards of a precious national resource.”

Mr. Copps will formally make the proposal Thursday in an address at Columbia University’s graduate school of journalism. It is his latest attempt to pull people’s attentions back to the public interest requirements of local stations at a time when he believes American journalism is in “grave peril.”

Mr. Copps, a Democratic commissioner since 2001, has long condemned media consolidation and the cutting of journalistic resources. In Thursday’s prepared remarks, he criticized the casual nature of the current license renewal process for stations and said a “public value test” would strengthen the process. His intent, he said, is to foster “a renewed commitment to serious news and journalism.”

There was no immediate indication Thursday about whether the other four F.C.C. commissioners would consider the proposal.

The first tenet of Mr. Copps’ proposed test would be “meaningful commitments” to news and public affairs programming. “These would be quantifiable and not involve issues of content interference,” Mr. Copps said.

“Increasing the human and financial resources going into news would be one way to benchmark progress. Producing more local civic affairs programming would be another. Our current children’s programming requirements — the one remnant of public interest requirements still on the books — helped enhance kids’ programming. Now it is time to put news and information front-and-center,” he said.

Other tenets of the test would include enhanced disclosure about each station’s performance; meaningful increases in local programming; and evidence of a detailed plan for news coverage in the event of an emergency or disaster.

With regards to local programming, Mr. Copps said, “the goal here is a more localism in our program diet, more local news and information, and a lot less streamed-in homogenization and monotonous nationalized music at the expense of local and regional talent.” He added, “Homogenized music and entertainment from huge conglomerates constrains creativity, suppresses local talent, and detracts from the great tapestry of our nation’s cultural diversity.” He suggested that 25 percent of prime time programming should be locally or independently-produced.

Mr. Copps also proposed that the F.C.C. should “determine the extent of its current authority” to compel stations to disclose who pays for anonymous political ads. “And if we lack the tools we need to compel disclosure, let’s go ask for them,” he said.

Mr. Copps said the “public value test” should occur every four years. Currently, stations have to renew their licenses every eight years.

He proposed that if a station fails the test, “it goes on probation for a year, renewable for an additional year if it demonstrates measurable progress. If the station fails again, give the license to someone who will use it to serve the public interest.”

In an interview with “BBC World News America” that was broadcast Wednesday, the anchor Katty Kay anticipated what critics may say about Mr. Copps’ proposal. Ms. Kay asked, doesn’t a “public value test”

“raise the specter of over government control of information? I mean, people would say to you, ‘Well, what one person’s public value is is not another person’s.’ ”

Mr. Copps answered, “What we’ve had in recent years is an aberration where we have had no oversight of the media. For years and years we had some public interest guidelines that was part of the quid pro quo between broadcasters and the government for the free use of airwaves that belong to the American people and in return for that free use, and the ability to make a lot of money, they agreed to serve the public interest and that public interest to me right now is crying ‘news and information, news and information, news and information.’ “

Source:New York Times

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What I find interesting about this video of FCC Commissioner Michael J Copps speaking at this "Free Press" summit is his opening statement. He tells the audience that every year his favorite group to speak to is his friends at Free Press.  He goes on to tout the work they've been doing in the Progressive movement to transform media.  To understand why this is disturbing, you have to understand who Free Press is and what their ultimate goal is.

I will add some links at the bottom of this section to introduce you to the "Progressive" Free Press.

Free Press Summit: Changing Media -- Michael Copps

http://freepress.net/summit/archive

Free Press Summit: Changing Media
May 14, 2009
The Newseum, Washington DC

Michael Copps, Acting FCC Chairman

Michael J. CoppsMichael J. Copps is the acting chairman of the Federal Communications Commission. He was sworn in for his second term as a member of the FCC on Jan. 3, 2006, and has served as a commissioner since May 31, 2001. 

Copps served until Jan­uary 2001 as assistant secretary of commerce for trade development at the U.S. Department of Commerce. In that role, Copps worked to improve market access and market share for nearly every sector of American industry, including information technologies, telecom­munications, aerospace, automotive, environmental technologies, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, textiles, service industries and tourism. 

Copps devoted much of his time to building private-public sector partnerships to enhance our nations success in the global economy. From 1993 to 1998, Copps served as deputy assistant secretary for basic industries, a component of the Trade Development Unit. Copps moved to Washington in 1970, joined the staff of Sen. Fritz Hollings (D-S.C.), and served for more than a dozen years as administrative assistant and chief of staff.

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~THE FCC AND THE INTERNET~

For those that don't know, earlier this year, the FCC was embroiled in a lawsuit with Comcast regarding this very thing...net neutrality. What is significant about that is the FCC LOST the case.  In other words, the FCC is completely disregarding the ruling on that case. The FCC is broadening it's attempt to regulate the internet even though the courts told them they don't have the authority to do so.

The following articles involve the FCC's attempt to control the internet:

FCC Loses Key Ruling on Internet Neutrality

           Published April 06, 2010

At the heart of the court case is Comcast's challenge of a 2008 FCC order banning it from blocking subscribers from using BitTorrent. The commission, at the time headed by Republican Kevin Martin, based its order on a set of net neutrality principles adopted in 2005.

But Comcast argued that the FCC order was illegal because the agency was seeking to enforce mere policy principles, which don't have the force of regulations or law. That's one reason that Genachowski is now trying to formalize those rules.

The cable company had also argued the FCC lacks authority to mandate net neutrality because it had deregulated broadband under the Bush administration, a decision upheld by the Supreme Court in 2005.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2010/04/06/fcc-loses-key-ruling-internet-neutrality/#ixzz17533Dyfx

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12/2/10 FBN's Dennis Kneale on the FCC's multi-billion dollar broadband plan that subsidizes rural phone service.

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 EDITORIAL: Wave goodbye to Internet freedom 

FCC crosses the Rubicon into online regulation

By THE WASHINGTON TIMES

The Washington Times       7:02 p.m., Thursday, December 2, 2010

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is poised to add the Internet to its portfolio of regulated industries. The agency's chairman, Julius Genachowski, announced Wednesday that he circulated draft rules he says will "preserve the freedom and openness of the Internet." No statement could better reflect the gulf between the rhetoric and the reality of Obama administration policies.

With a straight face, Mr. Genachowski suggested that government red tape will increase the "freedom" of online services that have flourished because bureaucratic busybodies have been blocked from tinkering with the Web. Ordinarily, it would be appropriate at this point to supply an example from the proposed regulations illustrating the problem. Mr. Genachowski's draft document has over 550 footnotes and is stamped "non-public, for internal use only" to ensure nobody outside the agency sees it until the rules are approved in a scheduled Dec. 21 vote. So much for "openness."

Source:  Read the complete article: Washington Times

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WHO IS FREE PRESS?

Who is Free Press? Free Press was founded by (avowed Marxist) Robert McChesney, Josh Silver and John Nichols.  While their website touts that they are a non-partisan, non-profit organization working to REFORM the media, that is just the beginning of the lies of "Free Press."  While you are looking into this organization, take some time to also check out Public Knowledge. 

The following video is from Glenn Beck's show on 12/09/10.  THE REVOLUTION IS NOW." The videos that Glenn has dug up on Robert McChesney, Van Jones and Josh Silver should SEND SHIVERS DOWN YOUR SPINES!

The chatter on the far left now is very disturbing. We have Al (Tawana Brawley) Sharpton calling for Rush Limbaugh to be forced off the air for his "racist" show. Attacks on Glenn Beck like nothing ever seen in the history of television and radio and attacks on Sean Hannityand any other speaking the truth. 

The FCC Chairman and 2 of his far left commissioners are declaring that "government control may be the answer to ensure that American citizens have access to news and information" and "every nappy headed child deserves free internet because it's a civil right."



 FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn Free Internet a Civil Right for Every Nappy-Headed Child 




Glenn Beck Part 1 of 4



Part 2 of 4


Part 3 of 4  



 Part 4 of 4


Free Press is an Anti-capitalist organization looking for another free hand out by us, the taxpayers.  They want the airwaves redistributed in the name of  "media justice" and they want any voice of dissent against the left that is speaking the truth to be SILENCED. 

Do your own research on any of these participants as I could take days to post all of the propaganda they've been spewing.  

Notice what their logo says, "reform media, transform democracy."  They want to "fundamentally transform" media using the government and the tax payer to fund this transformation.  They have no regard for the companies that have spent billions developing the infrastructure to deliver, phones, internet, cable and mobile phones. 

"Allowing Comcast to merge with NBC would be yet another giveaway to industry titans at the public's expense," said Free Press President and CEO Josh Silver, who testified at an FCC hearing in Chicago, on July 13, 2010. "Once people understand the size and scope of the deal, people overwhelmingly oppose it," Silver said.

The following 2 video are some I decided to post so you can see the propaganda and fear they are using to gain support and momentum from the far left and anti-capitalist, anti-American base.  Notice at the end of the 2nd video, one of the sponsors is Center For Media Justice and another is Main Street Project which just happens to be funded by George Soros and the Open Society.

 

12/02/10

On Thursday, Aug. 19, FCC Commissioners Michael Copps and Mignon Clyburn will be in Minneapolis to hear from you about the future of the Internet -- and whether you want corporations like Google and Verizon to grab control of the Internet and shut down the most democratizing platform we've seen in generations.

The event, co-hosted by Free Press, Main Street Project and the Center for Media Justice, is free and will include comments from the public.

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Audio: FCC's Diversity Czar: 'White People' Need to be Forced to 'Step Down' 'So Someone Else Can Have Power'

Mark Lloyd is the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)'s Chief Diversity Officer, a.k.a. the Diversity Czar. And he has in a recently discovered bit of archive audio goodness detailed his rather disturbing perspective on race, power and the American system.
(Audio located below, courtesy of Breitbart.tv and Naked Emperor News)
This is of course in addition to Lloyd's rather disturbing perspective on the First Amendment. 

"It should be clear by now that my focus here is not freedom of speech or the press. This freedom is all too often an exaggeration. At the very least, blind references to freedom of speech or the press serve as a distraction from the critical examination of other communications policies.

"[T]he purpose of free speech is warped to protect global corporations and block rules that would promote democratic governance."

And Lloyd's rather disturbing perspective on Venezuelan Communist dictator Hugo Chavez's "incredible...democratic revolution." To go with Lloyd's bizarre admiration for the thuggishly fascistic manner in which "Chavez began to take very seriously the media in his country." 

We have said repeatedly that Lloyd is a man myopically focused on race. What is revealed here is more than just that. Listening to excerpts of his offerings at a May 2005 Conference on Media Reform: Racial Justice reveals a man that finds great fault with our nation's power structure - as he defines and sees it. And in his racially-warped, finite pie worldview, too many white people sit alone in the too few spots atop the heap. They're "good white people," mind you, but ...

This... there's nothing more difficult than this. Because we have really, truly good white people in important positions. And the fact of the matter is that there are a limited number of those positions. And unless we are conscious of the need to have more people of color, gays, other people in those positions we will not change the problem.
We're in a position where you have to say who is going to step down so someone else can have power.

Read more: News Busters

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Senate GOP likely to force confrontation of FCC net neutrality rules

By: J.P. Freire 12/16/10 12:22 AM

 

Thirty senators have signed a letter making it clear that should the Federal Communications Commission implement "net neutrality" regulations during its December 21st meeting, the GOP will force a confrontation on the Senate floor over the rules. Doing so would provide insight into how Republicans, as a minority in the Senate, leverage its control over the House of Representatives to hamstring attempts by the executive branch to rule by regulatory fiat.
The letter questions the ability of the FCC to impose the regulations:

You and the Commission's general counsel have admitted in published statements that the legal justification for imposing these new regulations is questionable and "has a serious risk of failure in court." It is very clear that Congress has not granted the Commission the specific statutory authority to do what you are proposing. Whether and how the Internet should be regulated is something that America's elected representatives in Congress, not the Commission, should determine.

The letter is signed by Sens. John Ensign, R-Nev., Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, John McCain, R-Ariz., Kit Bond, R-Mo., Judd Gregg, R-N.H., Michael Enzi, R-Wyo., Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., Jim DeMint, R-S.C., James Risch, R-Idaho, Mike Johanns, R-Neb., John Thune, R-S.D., Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., Roger Wicker, R-Miss., Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., Robert Bennett, R-Utah, John Barrasso, R-Wyo., Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, Sam Brownback, R-Kansas, Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., John Cornyn, R-Texas, David Vitter, R-La., Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, Tom Coburn, R-Okla., Pat Roberts, R-Kansas, Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., Jim Bunning, R-Ky., Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., Richard Burr, R-N.C., and Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa. Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Me., signed a separate letter also opposing the FCC ruling.

Read more at the Washington Examiner

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Related links:
MAG-net Transforming media to RACISM and POVERTY 
Free Press Videos 
Meet Robert McChesney

VIDEOS OF ROBERT MCCHESNEY:
PART 1 OF 6: Robert McChesney @ NYU Part 1 of 6


You should have enough here to understand just how dangerous FCC Commissioner Michael J Copps is as well as FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski. 


The current adminstration is of the opinion that "we the people" are too stupid to be able to decide what type of news we want and are working to impose government control of the internet, radio, television and newspapers. 


I would suggest you contact your Senators and Congressman and well as the FCC and tell them to keep their hands off these media outlets.  We don't want the government deciding for us who we can listen to, what we can read and what television we need to watch.


The Committee On Energy And Commerce is the House dept that oversees the FCC:
Committee on Energy And Commerce


FCC Contact information
Chairman Julius Genachowski: Julius.Genachowski@fcc.gov
Commissioner Michael J. Copps: Michael.Copps@fcc.gov

Commissioner Mignon Clyburn: Mignon.Clyburn@fcc.gov

Commissioner Robert McDowell: Robert.McDowell@fcc.gov

Commissioner Meredith Attwell Baker: Meredith.Baker@fcc.gov
FCC Commissioner Meredith Baker SLams Net Neutrality
Meredith Baker, FCC's Stand Up Commission 
FCC's Meredith Baker: Keep Government Out Of Journalism 
Act Two for FCC's Meredith Attwell Baker