Somewhere I Belong

Hi :-)

Tim,
I still think that there is a fine line between reporting the news, reporting the facts, covering a story and then beating that story into the ground and interrupting the grieving process. Chasing the families of victims down and shoving microphones in their faces does not aid in any sort of closure for those affected and yes, they have the right to walk away, but after a time, they shouldn't have to walk away. They should be allowed to have their lives back. THAT sort of journalism is unethical, exploitative, and ulterior for the sake of it. You and I will just have to agree to disagree on that one. Call me green, but I have a different opinion about what local and national journalism used to stand for versus the new world order, which encompasses TMZ, paparazzi, and tragedies that are milked for months on end until there's is nothing left. I will always believe that that sort of behavior is shameless, and believe it or not, the majority of the people who read the 3407 post on Facebook agree with that sentiment. Again, thanks for writing. Take care,
Tom Waters
www.tomfoolery4.wordpress.com

Doesn't ring a bell....jk I had to cancel last minute unfortunately. We need to have more events. People want to get out it's just only having 1 a month seems like not everyone can make it.

ohhhh that was you!!! yes, how is she doing? and how are you enjoying the bee?

I hear what you're saying. But, it's the people in the local communities who will be the ones sending their kids off to war. The questions ought to start by being asked here. We can't rely on the writers in Washington who are run by the same people pushing the stories on the national news circuit to be the ones dictating the discussion. By asking questions at home... it will help encourage people to seek their information from a variety of sources.

Yeah i went to school with your sister... We were friends for a little bit but she started acting weird and stuff so i dont know what happened but I dont talk to anyone from elementary school except one person. So i dunno

Well... the NY Times owns the Washington Post and the Boston Globe among others. I think when a publicly traded company is also a "trusted" news source for three major cities, there exists a real danger and vulnerability of bias. Also... the CNN's, CBS's, and NBC's are all owned by major media conglomerates, check out this link: http://www.freepress.net/ownership/chart/main. Those major networks have local affiliates who subscribe to the same core talking points. Where was the local journalism during the whole "weapons of mass destruction" campaign prior to the Iraq War? Regardless of your political position, it's amazing those questions were never posed by the national or local journalists.

What can I say about media reform in a single comment?

It’s been a passion of mine since I got bit by the bug during my undergraduate studies of communications at Niagara University. My professor assigned us a reading from Robert McChesney’s book, “Rich Media, Poor Democracy” and I was hooked. Media ownership was a regulated thing until the Telecommunications Act in 1996, since then the number of companies who own the majority of the media dwindled from 50 to about 5. The effect that has on news reporting, our political process, and the overall essence of our democracy is alarming. When a free press no longer exists… then suddenly everything is up for sale. It’s refreshing to find a local journalist who is so passionate about his job. I grew up in Williamsville and loved the Amherst Bee. But I notice even the Bee struggles with its identity as an unbiased community newspaper vs. being a glorified public relations mouthpiece. What are your thoughts? It seems like you respect the sense of social responsibility that goes along with journalism.

Well i guess your right. I apologize for being judgemental.