Al Gore’s Journalistic Shield
"Environmental journalism" is an oxymoron, and if that wasn't obvious already, it is after the Society of Environmental Journalists last week shielded a politician from one of its own members.In major flip, House Dems now represent richest regions - USATODAY.com
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The journalists who ran interference for Gore, including Baltimore Sun environment reporter Tim Wheeler, defended their actions. Wheeler wrote on the SEJ blog that he was just enforcing the rules for the question-and-answer session by refusing to let McAleer monopolize the mic.
But the reality is that Wheeler and his colleagues violated at least two principles of the ethics code drafted by the Society of Professional Journalists:
* Support the open exchange of views, even views they find repugnant.
* Be vigilant and courageous about holding those with power accountable.
It's clear from their coverage that environmental journalists find the views of skeptics like McAleer repugnant, but that's precisely why they should have let him press Gore for answers in a public forum. McAleer showed himself to be vigilant and courageous in holding Gore accountable for spreading propaganda in public schools, and he deserved the SEJ's support.
Democratic members of the House of Representatives now represent most of the nation's wealthiest people, a sharp turnaround from the long-standing dominance that Republicans have held over affluent districts.[California: Ski resort opening nearly four weeks early]
Mammoth will open for skiing and snowboarding on Friday, the second-earliest opening in resort history.[Georgetown Athletics Department blows money on insane scheme to prevent future bad weather]
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"We are so excited to start the season nearly four weeks ahead of schedule and to be able to reward our guests with a free day on the slopes," said Howard Pickett, chief marketing officer of the Mammoth Mountain ski area.
This Friday’s Midnight Madness will emit thirteen tons of carbon, according to an audit conducted by Georgetown Eco-Action.
To offset these carbon emissions, Georgetown will spend about $170 on carbon credits.
The proposal, headed by GUSA’s Secretary of Green Initiatives and Chairman of the Corp Green Initiative Adam Alfi (MSB `11), was approved earlier this week by the Georgetown Athletics Department.
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3 comments:
Hmmmm...let's see. A journalism organization invited Al Gore to speak at a conference but refused to let him speak when he said he would not take questions. In a rare concession, Gore relented and agreed to take questions and he was allowed to speak.
The very FIRST person to ask a question was an SEJ member who disagreed with Gore on climate change and directly challenged him on it. When Gore dodged the question, the questioner was allowed to grill him again.
After an unproductive exchange amounting to "does so, does not" the person was asked to sit down to allow others to get their questions in during the limited time they were alotted. His microphone finally had to be cut because he refused to allow anyone else have the opportunity he was granted. (You get a bunch of repoters in the same room as a former vice president and presidential candidate and they'll get a bit irritated when only one reporter is allowed to ask questions.)
This sounds to me like the actions of an organization that very much believes in the SPJ provisions you cite.
Are the other questions by the "impartial" journalists and Gore's answers posted anywhere?
I see that the Society of Environmental Journalists posted audio of that session here: http://www.sej.org/sites/default/files/conf09/GoreTalk.mp3
You'll see that very little time was left for questions which was why so many journalists were upset about the time wasted in the polar bear flap when it was clear the questioner would not get the satisfaction he wanted from Gore.
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