Being truthful

By Kellie Green

I think that it is great that the news tries to be accurate on everything that they do. In an article that I read on The New York Observer they talked about how the New York Post had earlier this month had post a statement about Michelle Obama.

The statement had said that Michelle Obama had ordered a lobster and caviar dinner at the Waldorf-Astoria. However, the statement was false. Michelle Obama was not even staying at the Waldorf-Astoria.

The New York Post reported today that this was an incorrect statement and that they apologized to the Obamas and stated that they were misinformed by their source.

I think that it is great that the New York Post did this. It shows that they really care about the truth in their news. They should have made sure of the facts before the paper was printed but it does help that they tried to correct the incident in the end.

Having true statements is essential to have in articles because statements can always lead to something bigger. Like in this case, where the Obamas were being scrutinize for something that they didn't do.

Journalists should always check their facts to make sure they are true. However, if they do make an error it is great that they come out and admit it and correct it.

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That's where he's getting all that money...

The Barack Obama campaign recently confirmed that members of the media would have to pay top dollar in order to cover the senator from Chicago's Grant Park on election night.

While the cheapest option (a single 2o amp circuit) is going for $165, top spenders can get all of the luxeries for a mere $1,870.

$715 will get a reporter the cheapest credentials. What the campaign fails to mention is where, exactly, that money will go.

Journalists have the right and reponsibility to bring their viewers and readers the best information they can on the eve of this very important and historical election. And by making this move, the Obama campagin is eliminating smaller news sources from the mix of those that will be covering the event.

What will Obama start putting charges on next? The Washington Monument, perhaps? This is the exact same man who says that we need to finance more government sponsored programs for the under-privlidged, yet raises more money for his own personal campaign than any other presidential nominee ever.

And this latest taxing of the press seems to bode well for the future of this country. It seems like once long ago we tried to get away from the man that was taking our forms of communication. Maybe history does indeed, repeat itself.

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Rachel Maddow doubles audience

By: Erin Floro

MSNBC has a new host for the 9 p.m. prime-time hour that is doubling the cable news channel's audience. Rachel Maddow's liberal news program, "The Rachel Maddow Show," has averaged better ratings among 25- to 54-year olds than "Larry King Live" 13 nights since airing on Sept. 8.

The number of viewers has climbed from 800,000 to 1.7 million in her short time on cable television. This makes MSNBC competitive with the top leading news networks, CNN and Fox News. Phil Griffin, the president of MSNBC, says it usually "takes two to three years for a show to find its audience." Maddow is finding her audience almost immediately.

She accounts for her show's success on "The Countdown," hosted by Keith Olbermann. Her show follows directly after his both in time and similarity. She is retaining over 90 percent of his viewers.

Interestingly enough, Maddow doesn't even own a television and has never watched Mr. King's program or Fox News. She wants to remain original on air.

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All I want for Christmas

By: Lexie Hagerty

I read this cute little article on Broadcasting and Cable about what the average consumer wants for Christmas.

In previous years, the top three choices ranked from most desired to least desired were computers (#1), "peace and happiness (#2), and televisions (#3). This year, televisions have dropped to number six, while computers still rank in the top two.

Those who said they would buy a TV, 85 percent said it would be an HDTV or at least a 40 inch screen. About 28 percent of those people said they would buy a TV simply to prepare for the DTV transition.

After learning these statistics, I think the TV is headed in the same direction that the CD and the newspaper have gone. Soon, there won't be any left and they will become an item of the past.

It is sad to think about, considering the TV was such an extraordinary invention, but I know that people will get over the loss quickly when they are introduced to new technology.

My only question is what will this new technology be like and how crazy will it be?

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