The Beechwood Prostitute...

[Don1]

They are nothing like the Observer.

I note the proximity of Beechwood Avenue to Knutsford Blvd.

Good post, Don1. The Observer is completely shameful. I shall continue to boycott this cheap toilet (news)paper.

Whenever Butch head tek im... they are really bad..... but the guy is a big fish in a tiny pond and people are so intimidated by him or basking in his glow that you don't hear a peep from anyone.

[Assasin]

"Are you aware that newspapers have a moral and professional responsibility not to do the things I described?

If you are so aware, do you care at all if they operate in a corrupt manner."

I am aware but I don't expect any newspaper to hold themselves accountable I expect the media association, I expect the government regulators and the people of Ja to hold them accountable.

What Butch is doing is not breaking any guidelines, it may not be fair but again I see it everyday in America.

[Don1]

"Are you aware that newspapers have a moral and professional responsibility not to do the things I described?

If you are so aware, do you care at all if they operate in a corrupt manner."

I am aware but I don't expect any newspaper to hold themselves accountable I expect the media association, I expect the government regulators and the people of Ja to hold them accountable.

What Butch is doing is not breaking any guidelines, it may not be fair but again I see it everyday in America.

You need to do some research on professional media responsibility. Your responses reveal a lack of appreciation of the issue.

The US comparison is not useful here..... they have thousands of newspapers, news magazines etc.... we essentially have 2. Therefore the power and consequent weight of responsibility on individual media organs is much greater. If we had multiple print outlets... what Stewart does with the Observer would be of lesser consequence.

The media ideally is to self police such issues... starting with the ownership and editorial board of the outlet. If they don't ... they must be exposed and condemned ... not greeted with a shrug of the shoulder and an opinion that "it's not new" or "he does it because he owns it".... i.e. your approach.... that helps no one.

Totally agree that the media association should be critical of the corruption ... however they probably don't want to cross this fellow as he is a potential employer...... this being the case it's left to the informed public to be harshly critical and force them to at least rein in the more obvious corruption.

You are either a part of the struggle to hold media baron's feet to the fire or by your silence.... tacit supporters of their corruption.

You choose.

[Assasin]

I simple don't understand you. First thing is these are not the only two newspaper in Jamaica and certainly there is a LOT of media in Jamaica today, just pick your choice.

The Ultimate responsibility is with the media organization and the government regulations. Your are saying the responsiblity is more because you only have two newspaper? Where was that responsibility when we had the daily news? How soon we forget?

Butch is in the business of making money and if he is not been regulated or he is getting away with what you see as unfair journalism then I can't blame him. How you expect a money hungry businessman to regulate himself? It just don't work.

[Don1]

understand this

I simple don't understand you. First thing is these are not the only two newspaper in Jamaica and certainly there is a LOT of media in Jamaica today, just pick your choice.

The Ultimate responsibility is with the media organization and the government regulations. Your are saying the responsiblity is more because you only have two newspaper? Where was that responsibility when we had the daily news? How soon we forget?

Butch is in the business of making money and if he is not been regulated or he is getting away with what you see as unfair journalism then I can't blame him. How you expect a money hungry businessman to regulate himself? It just don't work.

This is NOT an issue for government regulation.... no law is being broken.. there are only an ethical and professional abuses.

What does the 1970's Daily News have to with this issue in 2008... NOTHING.... I never discussed that here and introducing that is an obvious red herring issue... i'm not interested.

Yes I'm addressing newspapers and we effectively have 2 with national coverage. I'm not addressing electronic media.
Yes when there are insufficient outlets the responsibility is greater... why is that so hard for you to fathom? That's a very common understanding among people knowledgeable of the press.

See the code of ethics below which is a reasonable representation of what media should strive for.

Part of the reason that the desired self regulation does not work is that people either fear or idolize our media barons.... when they act corruptly people are silent and accept the corruption... that's seems to be the camp you fall in... such positions provide an enabling environment for the media corruption.
Corruption is endemic in Jamaica- and not just in the public service or the small man ... big businessmen are some of our most corrupt citizens.

I support the exposure of both public and corporate corruption.

The professionalism and objectivity of the press is either important to you or it's not.... my guess is that it's not.





Ethics code: Associated Press Managing Editors
Author: Associated Press Managing Editors
Published: January 28, 1999
Last Updated: May 04, 2004
Printer-friendly version

APME Statement of Ethical Principles
(Adopted 1994 as revision to APME Code of Ethics)

These principles are a model against which news and editorial staff members can measure their performance. They have been formulated in the belief that newspapers and the people who produce them should adhere to the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct.

The public's right to know about matters of importance is paramount. The newspaper has a special responsibility as surrogate of its readers to be a vigilant watchdog of their legitimate public interests.

No statement of principles can prescribe decisions governing every situation. Common sense and good judgment are required in applying ethical principles to newspaper realities. As new technologies evolve, these principles can help guide editors to insure the credibility of the news and information they provide. Individual newspapers are encouraged to augment these APME guidelines more specifically to their own situations.

RESPONSIBILITY

The good newspaper is fair, accurate, honest, responsible, independent and decent. Truth is its guiding principle.

It avoids practices that would conflict with the ability to report and present news in a fair, accurate and unbiased manner.

The newspaper should serve as a constructive critic of all segments of society. It should reasonably reflect, in staffing and coverage, its diverse constituencies. It should vigorously expose wrongdoing, duplicity or misuse of power, public or private. Editorially, it should advocate needed reform and innovation in the public interest. News sources should be disclosed unless there is a clear reason not to do so. When it is necessary to protect the confidentiality of a source, the reason should be explained.

The newspaper should uphold the right of free speech and freedom of the press and should respect the individual's right to privacy. The newspaper should fight vigorously for public access to news of government through open meetings and records.

ACCURACY

The newspaper should guard against inaccuracies, carelessness, bias or distortion through emphasis, omission or technological manipulation.

It should acknowledge substantive errors and correct them promptly and prominently.

INTEGRITY

The newspaper should strive for impartial treatment of issues and dispassionate handling of controversial subjects. It should provide a forum for the exchange of comment and criticism, especially when such comment is opposed to its editorial positions. Editorials and expressions of personal opinion by reporters and editors should be clearly labeled. Advertising should be differentiated from news.

The newspaper should report the news without regard for its own interests, mindful of the need to disclose potential conflicts. It should not give favored news treatment to advertisers or special-interest groups.

It should report matters regarding itself or its personnel with the same vigor and candor as it would other institutions or individuals. Concern for community, business or personal interests should not cause the newspaper to distort or misrepresent the facts.

The newspaper should deal honestly with readers and newsmakers. It should keep its promises.

The newspaper should not plagiarize words or images.

INDEPENDENCE

The newspaper and its staff should be free of obligations to news sources and newsmakers. Even the appearance of obligation or conflict of interest should be avoided.

Newspapers should accept nothing of value from news sources or others outside the profession. Gifts and free or reduced-rate travel, entertainment, products and lodging should not be accepted. Expenses in connection with news reporting should be paid by the newspaper. Special favors and special treatment for members of the press should be avoided.

Journalists are encouraged to be involved in their communities, to the extent that such activities do not create conflicts of interest.

Involvement in politics, demonstrations and social causes that would cause a conflict of interest, or the appearance of such conflict, should be avoided.

Work by staff members for the people or institutions they cover also should be avoided.

Financial investments by staff members or other outside business interests that could create the impression of a conflict of interest should be avoided.

Stories should not be written or edited primarily for the purpose of winning awards and prizes. Self-serving journalism contests and awards that reflect unfavorably on the newspaper or the profession should be avoided.

[Assasin]

So explain to me how the Fox news is different. The only thing you can tell me is because America have more media.

The fact is what you are accusing the observer of couldn't pass a litmus test. They have a diverse group of jouralists and some good ones too. Yes sometimes Butch may push is own agenda but if he was not a known businessman it wouldn't have matter.

Yes you have a right not to want to revisit the Daily News. Read the Wall Street Journal pretty often and you can see their agenda too.

[Don1]

So explain to me how the Fox news is different. The only thing you can tell me is because America have more media.

The fact is what you are accusing the observer of couldn't pass a litmus test. They have a diverse group of jouralists and some good ones too. Yes sometimes Butch may push is own agenda but if he was not a known businessman it wouldn't have matter.

Yes you have a right not to want to revisit the Daily News. Read the Wall Street Journal pretty often and you can see their agenda too.

you just don't get it.... so be it.