Is it me or is there a bit of a lull in posting on Web logs lately? Just seems like we’re all a bit preoccupied with world events, and I know I’m finding it hard to stay motivated. As much as the act of war repels me, however, I’m finding the “playing out” of the end game here to pretty fascinating, especially from a journalism standpoint. Web loggers in Baghdad, journalists with videophones in Kuwait, a plethora of media outlets to follow from around the world. It’s amazing how far we have come with our ability to get the news at the scene. I can only believe that this is a good thing, that the truth will be told despite the wishes of our government. I keep telling my students that that is what journalism is ultimately about, the truth, but that lately it’s been harder and harder to get to.
I heard today that the Bush Administration had put aside billions of dollars in contracts for American firms to rebuild Iraq once we’re done destroying it. And, I heard that many of those firms are owned by the half dozen or so media monopolies that have co-opted the news gathering process in this country. Where is truth these days? Somehow I have to believe it’s in the hands of independent journalists who are empowered by mobile technologies and the ability to publish to an audience of millions. Whether or not they are heard or believed is another story. But the mere fact that they now have a voice is half the battle. (Poor choice of words, I know…)
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