s t i t s J F L C s f v e i s s t l P U J
OPINION
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2004
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
www.kansan.com
EDITORIAL BOARD
Journalistic credibility tainted by Rather's mistake
The character of journalism is under siege in the United States. Many are aware of the scandals involving Jayson Blair and Michael Finkel at The New York Times for fabricating quotes and information.
Even the country's largest newspaper, USA Today, has been touched by this shame, resulting in the resignation of its editor, Karen Jurgensen.
It appears that this cardinal sin of the journalistic profession has moved onto broadcast media, with the use of forged documents by Dan Rather of CBS in an attempt to examine the National Guard history of President Bush.
In the last week we have witnessed a heavy stream of political debate on the many ways in which Rather betrayed his viewers, his employer, and journalists the world over with his poor judgment.
It is a central rule to check out sources for any story. If a journalist cannot confirm information that pertains to his story, it should be disregarded and not used until verified.
Without even checking the documents, Rather used them to attack President Bush's record during his years in the National Guard. He was dangerously close to committing libel.
Given that this country is in an election year, with the presidential election two months away, Rather's attempt to discredit Bush could be construed as fitting a private political agenda.
Not only did he mislead the American people, but some critics say he may have failed to check his sources because the story supported his own political bias.
With his decision to forget reporting protocol, Rather betrayed a trust that America needed in
order to feel secure in what information they were given.
CBS, naturally, came to the defense of one of its most well-known reporters and anchors. Whether they were in on the scandal as well is debatable. Regardless their reputation and credibility as a news outlet was damaged. Countless newspapers, magazines and radio and television outlets have criticized CBS for defending for so long what was obviously false. Either out of loyalty or complicity, CBS will bear the brunt of the guilt along with Rather.
Journalists feel extremely violated by this scandal. Was it not enough that many newspapers were struggling with plagiarism and fabrication? The profession is already struggling to maintain its dignity and integrity.
Journalism fulfills an important role in society. It informs the public, helping everyone become a true citizen of our community, state nation and world. This role is central to democracy and the freedom of expression.
To be constantly surrounded by scandals such as these only leads people to believe journalists are no better than liars. Journalists give the impression that we only wish to control people's minds, rather than let them know the facts and come to their own conclusions.
Had Rather recanted and admitted his shortcomings earlier, the world may have overlooked his transgression. His persistence in asserting the validity of the documents only worsened his situation and brought more attention to it.
Perhaps, in the end, such events are needed. It reminds everyone, citizen and journalist alike, how much we rely upon honest and neutral reporting to make our decisions in the world.
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OK, tell me if this makes sense: You smoke on the street, but you can't smoke in a bar. You can drink in a bar, but you can't drink on the street. What is up with this town?
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Banning books threatens society
These are dangerous times. While many different sources in the media and public eye inform America of the threats to her safety every day, personal safety is not the only thing in danger at the moment. One of the most fundamental rights provided by the Constitution is under attack.
GUEST COMMENTARY
Section 215 of the Patriot Act authorizes the government to order the release of reading records, including those of bookstores and libraries. In addition, it gives the government the right to ban any writings which it deems dangerous or threatening. Current works under attack range from Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf to Madeleine L'Engle's children's novel A Wrinkle in Time.
The First Amendment states that "Congress shall make no law... abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press." However, that is exactly what this statute of the Patriot Act serves to do. We Americans must stand up against this unconstitutional censorship.
Most goals of the Patriot Act are admirable, but Section 215 is an exception. Those for Section 215 have cited numerous Supreme Court cases as supportive. The prominent case among these is Krishna vs. Lee, which dealt with the solicitation for money and distribution of literature in airports.
There is nothing in Krishna vs. Lee
RYAN GOOD opinion@kansan.com
that would support the banning of books on any level. In the decision, justices ruled that in a non-traditional venue for speech, solicitation can be banned. But they also ruled that a ban on literature, even in a non-traditional venue, is unreasonable. This act is banning books from the shelves of libraries and bookstores — hardly non-traditional places to find them.
In recognition of the continuing struggle against the censoring of books, several publishers and literary organizations sponsor Banned Books Week, which started Saturday and ends Friday.
Banned Books Week is receiving little publicity on campus, but don't let that devalue its importance. Every member of the University needs to participate.
Contact the American Booksellers Association and pledge your signature to its national petition to amend the Patriot Act and remove Section 215. Once one million signatures are
pledged, the petition will be forwarded to Congress. Write directly to Sam Brownback, Pat Roberts or your home state's senators and demand the abolition of Section 215. Donate to or volunteer for the American Library Association, the American Booksellers Association, the American Civil Liberties Union or any of the numerous other entities dedicated to the elimination of censorship.
Most importantly, read a book that has historically been banned. It includes works such as The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder and Hamlet by Shakespeare.
This is an issue affecting not only everyone alive today, but future generations of readers as well. Author Judy Blume recently wrote "It's not just the books under fire now that worry me. It is the books that will never be written. The books that will never be read. And all due to the fear of censorship. As always, young readers will be the real losers."
Only when Americans demand change will this violation of our First Amendment rights cease.
Good is an Overland park junior in journalism and chemistry. He is a member of the Kansan Editorial Board.
Swing into state of pre-teen issues
GUEST PERSPECTIVE
Kansans already know what the results will be on Nov. 2. No matter how many of us march off to the polls determined to not have another four years with a president who prays to a "higher father" when there's a big decision to make, George W. Bush is going to win Kansas' vote. A parallel phenomenon will happen in New York, where Bush votes don't count.
LOUISE STAUFFER
lstauffer@kansan.com
If the president was elected by popular vote, Kansans would have a reason to vote based on important issues such as the economy, health care and the war in Iraq. Instead, thanks to the electoral college, Kerry supporters in Kansas can vote for superficial reasons. Think of it as voting for Homecoming king.
Here is one shallow voter's guide for the presidential election of 2004:
Lookalikes: Bush is a dead-ringer for Alfred E. Neuman of Mad magazine or Howdy Doody. The president should not look more at home on the cover of Mad than Newsweek, or bear any resemblance to a puppet. Kerry has been compared to Odo the Shapeshifter from Star Trek Deep Space 9 and Lurch from the Addams Family. Sure, they may not be completely human, but at least they have an air of mystery about them.
Grammar: This is hardly fair. Bushisms were funny the first few months of Bush's presidency ("Our priorities is our faith"), but now they're just sad — or frightening." Nuke-you-
Running mates: Dick Cheney is the grouchy grandpa who yells at anybody who walks on his lawn. John Edwards has better hair — and a better tan than most of us. Who would you rather sit next to on an airplane? Ten bucks says Cheney has halitosis.
lur" from a guy whose finger is on the nuclear trigger? In contrast, Kerry's Kennedyesque "ID-ers" seem like harmless regional affectations, and a Hollywood as Bush's "Yalls".
Nicknames: Bush: Familiar ones are "W" or "Dubya." More insightful is Molly Irvins' "Shrub." "W" also stands for "Wrong," according to Kerry. Kerry's nicknames are "Lanky Yankee" and "Johnny." This is a close one, perhaps we should ask for a vote count by the Florida secretary of state, backed by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Favorite food: Some of Bush's are anything Mexican or peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Kerry's favorite is chocolate chip cookies, not much better. Maybe they're afraid to reflect a sophisticated palate, lest they be labeled girlie men. But
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couldn't they pick something distinctive? Clinton's favorite White House meal was veal chops.
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Pets: Kerry has a yellow canary named Sunshine, Bush has two dogs named Barney and Spot, as well as two cats. The dogs could make a meal out of Sunshine in a second. For Kerry to decrease his wimp-factor, he should get a dog, preferably a pit bull.
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Height: Psychology Today reported that in elections, height and age may matter more than professional qualifications. Bush is 5 feet 11 inches and Kerry is 6 feet 4 inches. That isn't counting Kerry's hair. Bush's cowboy boots may get him up to 6 feet, but Kerry still toweres over him.
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Athletics: Watch out. Kerry is extreme! Kiteboarding, sailing, skiing, ice hockey, cycling, windsurfing and more! He was even on the 1998 cover of Windsurfing magazine. Bush is a runner. Big deal. So were Gore and Clinton.
Fashion: Bush poses for photo opportunities in full western gear: cowboy hat, big belt buckle and jeans. Don't be fooled, the country look is a costume. The Bush family hails from New England. So does Kerry, who, when not in a suit, looks uncomfortable in jeans.
So go ahead, gloss over the real issues. Even if these issues aren't what really matters, don't let the electoral college have all the fun.
Louise Stauffer is a Holland, Mich., senior in journalism. She is Kansan feature editor.
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