Thanks Dwight for taking the leadership on this discussion and thanks for
providing the background information. I agree wholeheartedly with the
sentiments expressed thus far. I totally disagree with the implication that
President Obama has been less transparent than other Presidents. In fact, he
has been more transparent. And even if he hasn't lived up to someone's
expectation on transparency, it certainly should not have risen to a level
to warrant public condemnation by a journalism education group. I also
support a joint resolution.
Linda Florence Callahan, Ph.D.
Chair, Commission on the Status of Minorities.
Professor
Journalism & Mass Communication
North Carolina A&T State University
Greensboro, NC 27411
-----Original Message-----
From: FOR THE MINORITIES AND COMMUNICATION DIV. OF AEJMC
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Dwight Brooks
Sent: Tuesday, June 08, 2010 11:18 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: AEJMC: Obama's Promised "Change" Lacks Transparency
I do not mean to dominate this important discussion, but a couple of points
are in order:
1. On AEJMC's website, following the PAC's statement, there is an
opportunity for members to post their own comments. I did, but I am more
impressed with the comment from Jason Reineke, who I am proud to note, is a
faculty member in MTSU's School of Journalism. Jason writes:
2. "For an objective, quantitative accounting of President Obama's first
year in office I encourage readers to take a look at the following report by
CBS news:
"Obama's First Year: By the Numbers"
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-6119525-503544.html
Some relevant highlights:
411 speeches, comments and remarks
158 interviews (90 television, 11 radio, 57 newspaper/magazine)
42 news conferences
It is unfortunate that the AEJMC press release above relies on a couple of
anecdotes instead of more comprehensive data."
Well said Jason!
Dwight
Dwight E. Brooks, Ph.D.
Professor and Director
School of Journalism
PO Box 64
College of Mass Communication
Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, TN 37132
615 494-8925
Fax: 615 898-5682
[log in to unmask]
mtsujour_header6.png
-----Original Message-----
From: FOR THE MINORITIES AND COMMUNICATION DIV. OF AEJMC
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Kathleen Fearn-Banks
Sent: Tuesday, June 08, 2010 10:07 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: AEJMC: Obama's Promised "Change" Lacks Transparency
Janette's comment here reflects mine also. I would not want to be linked to
an organization that took this action. In fact, if most of the members feel
this way, I should drop out. Is there something we should do to voice this
to the AEJMC leaders? Individually or collectively?
Professor Kathleen Fearn-Banks
Department of Communication
University of Washington
Website: www.kathleenfearn-banks.com
On Tue, 8 Jun 2010, Dates, Jannette L. wrote:
> Dear Dwight:
>
> Thank you. I feel as you do. You have very eloquently and succinctly
written and spoken about this issue-and I am in complete support of your
response. Why choose some "issues" over others, you ask? Clearly, the
issues you listed are as important to journalism and journalism educators as
the one raised by AEJMC's leadership regarding President Obama's press
conferences. We may need to re-evaluate the system for having the president
and her/his advisors make statements attributable to the entire
organization. I am embarrassed to have my name associated with this. These
statements about President Obama do not reflect my views at all.
>
> Jannette L. Dates
> Dean
> John H. Johnson School of Communications
> Howard University
> 525 Bryant St., N.W.
> Washington, D.C. 20059
> 202-806-7694 or 6113
>
> From: FOR THE MINORITIES AND COMMUNICATION DIV. OF AEJMC
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Dwight E. Brooks
> Sent: Tuesday, June 08, 2010 7:53 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: AEJMC: Obama's Promised "Change" Lacks Transparency
>
> Anita & Colleagues,
> This is the result of the President's Advisory Council that was formed
last year. This is something Carole Pardun wanted to do and spoke on during
the business meeting last August in Baltimore. While the statement does not
necessarily offend me, I find the choice of topic for the release dubious at
best. I can think of lots of equally or more demanding issues on which AEJMC
could have taken a position: I may be mistaken but this is the first stance
for the committee. If it is the first, it has failed miserably in my
opinion. If not, I'd like to see any previous statementsBut why not:
> 1. Fox news as abandoning the practice of journalism in favor of
right-wing advocacy?
> 2. A statement on the hypocrisy of the tea parties?
> 3. The Arizona immigration law
> 4. The ongoing lying and hypocrisy of the Republican members of Congress
(and some Democrats too)?
> 5. Heck, there is a proposed bill in Michigan that would bar journalists
from covering certain politics events without taking some sort of test or
obtaining a "license"--a true slap at First Amendment rights of journalists.
(I've just brought this to the attention of the PF&R Committee)?
> 6. Did I mention the Arizona immigration law?
> 7. Sarah Palin--when has she held a press conference?
> 8. That Rand Paul guy in Kentucky and his position on civil rights?
> 9. BP (and its response) and the oil spill in the gulf? Or was this penned
two months ago?
>
> My last question is, what do we say/do in response to this? Can committees
within AEJMC respond to its own leadership or issue its own position
statements? I don't know who is on this so-called presidential advisory
committee, but there statement does not represent my concern or perspective
and I am approaching outrage when I think about all of the more central
issues that were ignored over this false outrage over Presicent Obama's lack
of pressers.
> Dwight
>
> Dwight E. Brooks, Ph.D.
>
> Professor and Director
>
> School of Journalism
>
> College of Mass Communication
>
> Middle Tennessee State University
>
> Murfreesboro, TN 37132
>
> Tel: 615 494-8925
>
> e-mail: [log in to unmask]
>
>
>
WARNING: This e-mail correspondence is subject to Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.
|
