Displaying the Death of Gaddafi in the Media

In the past week the death of Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi has made the headlines in the news and front pages of every news paper. Along with the stories some news outlets chose to show graphic images of Gaddafi after he had been killed. Now one of the major issues is whether or not the media should of displayed these pictures like they did.

In an article by Poynter, it shows how differently certain countries news papers decided to show images to go with these stories. Very few American newspapers actually showed Gaddafi's body after being killed.

In the newspapers in other countries some papers showed photos of Gaddafi before he we killed or photos of the rebels celebrating. However most of the newspapers decided to show the pictures of Gaddafi after being killed.

Is it appropriate to be showing these brutal photos of the death of Gaddafi?

Many people say that the tolerance of these images is starting to rise. In an interview for MSNBC Kelly McBride said that this is occurring because more people search for gruesome images then expected, then when they see them in the media it doesn't bother them.

The Week ran an article that saying that many news companies are defending their decision to show these images. They state that by showing theses photos they allow the public to know that Gaddafi is in fact dead.

Many people feel showing images like these in the media is now becoming unavoidable. The thing that the media needs to do now is decide how exactly to show these images.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzfX_0jtyJs

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Media's Involvement in Occupy Wall Street

Occupy Wall Street is a movement that has been spreading across the nation. People gather to show their protest to the "financial greed and corruption" shown today. Despite the number of people who have been active in this movement, large media corporations were slow to cover the story.

MSNBC led the way with coverage, with Keith Olbermann being the first anchor to cover the story. Better late than never I suppose.

Now that the story is starting to get more publicity beyond the world of Twitter, several criticisms are being made of journalists.

The number one mistake: media only shows the stereotypical outcast or "dirty hippie." This is not giving a proper representation of the masses.

Even though this may make the story more interesting, media should show a variety of people that accurately represents the protestors as a whole.

Another critique of the stories covering Occupy Wall Street is that they are being framed poorly, with a "law and order" bias. Arrests are being shown, but the innocent acts are less noteworthy.

“[Social] movements are ragged — they’re patched together, and they’re improvised, and if you want to size up where they’re going, you’ve got to talk to a range of people and decide what’s relevant.” says Mallory Jean Tenore.

I think this quote sums up the issue facing Occupy Wall Street coverage perfectly. Media organizations need to work harder to get the story, the whole story.

Photo Courtesy of Photo Bucket

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"Morning Joe" an Eye Opener in the AM

"Morning Joe", hosted by Joe Scarborough, former Republican member of the House of Representatives, has pushed ahead of CNN's "American Morning" according to recent ratings.

According to an article by David Hinkley of the New York Daily News, Scarborough's radio show is also beating out Glenn Beck on WOR (710 AM), 10 a.m.-noon and has been for months.

Of course, Scarborough can't make a dent in Fox's one million viewers, but Scarborough is appealing not only because he is more of a moderate Republican, but issues are discussed respectfully, without the inflammatory rhetoric. In Scarborough's own words, "His goal from the start, he says, was to show a conversation, "not people standing up waving their arms and shouting."

Typically, MSNBC features all Democratic views; but Scarborough provides the balance, a window into the other side that is palatable, entertaining and even educational. Joe's cohost is Mika Brzezinski and her father, Zbigniew Brzezinski, Jimmy Carter's National Security Advisor and a foreign policy expert, is a frequent guest and offers insightful observations into foreign affairs.

"Our goal is to present hard news and conversations on policy in a civilized manner," says the conservative Scarborough. ". He admits there are more liberal guests than conservatives because he wants to present both sides, not just have someone who agrees with him.

Tired of your friends at Fox. Have your morning cup with Joe.

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