News media challenging sealed filings in Utah case

Thursday, October 22, 2009

By Laura Reid


The News media is fighting to open files sealed by the courts so that the press could not access them. These files deal with the mental competency of Brian David Mitchell, the abductor in the Elizabeth Smart case.

The courts sealed these documents, some of them without telling the press that they would be sealed, so that it would prevent the press from gathering more information on the case.

Michael O'Brien, the attorney in this case, believes that these files are in the public interest, and should not be sealed to the press. The press, he says, is the middle man for court proceedings for the public because not everyone is able to make it inside the court rooms.

This is definitely a violation of the press's right, and the public's right, to access what would be considered public information. If it is on file, it is fair game. The News media has a right to these files, and the public has a right to know more about the case.
(Photo Credit: Penright)

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Fox Ignores the Left Wing Side of the News


By Tessa Leone

The National Equality March, which was held on October 10-11 (last weekend), was a highly televised event. Tens of thousands of protesters stormed the capital waving flags and yielding signs demanding equality and equal rights concerning bisexual couples.

All of the major networks covered the story, all of the networks except Fox News. Fox, a widely speculated 'Right Wing' broadcast spent little time on the story and used ABC's footage of the event.

The main focus of the rally was to appeal for gay marriage and abolish the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy. The turnout alone was newsworthy by the very definition of the word.

Comedic newscaster, John Stewart was also offeneded by Fox. He covered the fact that Fox News didn't cover the rally on his program, The Daily Show.

"You didn't even send your own camera crew?" exclaimed Stewart. "You have a Washington bureau! Tell them to go to the window and point the camera down!"

A good reporter must remain biast and tell the news like it is. Omitting a story on the grounds of personal opinion is very unprofessional for a reporter and defienitely a major faux pa for a network news station.

Photo Credit: Michael T. Luongo

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