Why did Eagle fail to cover 100,000-person demo?
The Berkshire Eagle has some explaining to do regarding its non-coverage of Saturday's anti-war demonstration in Washington, D.C. The Associated Press and other news organizations, quoting the city's police chief, said at least 100,000 showed up at the Capitol Mall with a simple message: "Bring the trooops home."
There was a "local angle." A church-organized bus with about 50 Berkshire County residents left Berkshire Community College at 11 p.m. Friday night, drove all night and returned at 3:30 a.m. on Sunday. Perhaps some of the riders of the bus will write in with their own testimony.
It was reported as the largest U.S. anti-war demonstration since the Iraq invasion. But there was not a word about it in Sunday's Eagle, despite the fact that The AP moved a story as early as 12:30 p.m. on Saturday.
There WAS a tiny story in Monday's Eagle -- leading the nation briefs column -- which lead with information about a 400-person pro-war rally. Now is that fair and balanced? Why no coverage of the local angle? When
40,000 people gather for a game at Fenway Park, that at least merits a story.
Fortunately, in the Internet era, there are other sources of news. For example, Eagle readers can find detailed coverage of the rally at www.downingstreetmemo.org or at www.truthout.org . Those websites may not be fair and balanced, but at least they are reporting something.
-- Posted by Bill Densmore
Williamstown, Mass.
MORE LINKS FROM AFTERDOWNINGSTREET.ORG:
Massive March in DC
Turnout was beyond anything we've seen in recent years: clearly hundreds of thousands.
Photos, videos, and blogging of the march:
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/3093
Cindy Sheehan's speech:
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/3089
Cindy Sheehan receives Unvarnished Truth Award:
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/3083
What the polls say:
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/3084
How the media is lying about the crowd size:
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/3094
How to ask the media to tell the truth:
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/1084
Lobbying and civil resistance on Monday, September 26:http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/2759
Tool Kit to Stop a War:http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/3081
Department of Peace Bill Introduced in Senatehttp://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/3071
Bonifaz Considers Run for Massach. Secretary of Statehttp://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/3059
Minnesota Veterans for Peace Launches Ad Campaignhttp://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/3040
posted by newshare at 7:12 AM PERMALINK
3 Comments:
Date: Mon, 26 Sep 2005 08:18:42 -0400
From: Beth Stomberg (stomberg@adelphia.net)
Subject: Re: Did the Eagle not cover Saturday's DC anti-war rally?
Thanks, Bill, for keeping us informed and motivated!
I also noticed the complete lack of coverage (newspapers, schools, etc.) of the U.N.'s annual recognition of, and efforts
towards, an International Day of Peace. Did you know that September 21st has been designated as an International Day of
Peace? Many don't. You can go to: www.internationaldayofpeace.org for more about the U.N. resolutions and others
efforts and great links.
I'd like to have the schools at least recognize this day and mention it to students in classrooms, perhaps even suggest
some research about the U.N. and/or proposals by students about international relations, etc. Can't believe this day
slipped quietly by without notice........
-Beth Stomberg
Date: Mon, 26 Sep 2005 08:21:39 -0400
From: Chad Jzyk
Subject: RE: Did the Eagle not cover Saturday's DC anti-war rally?
Bill:
Thanks for being the voice of reason here. As I read through the Eagle yesterday I was dumbfounded I could not find any
coverage on the rally.
Chad M. Jzyk
37 Corey Road
Hancock, MA 01237
Bill, you call this an "oversight". I am sure you were being your usual diplomatic self. We all know that this is "careful" management. With newspaper readership declining across the board, perhaps it makes more sense to not offend anyone for fear of losing readership or ad dollars. Citizens of the US have become the most "managed" people in the world. It isn't just in the media, but it is also in the distribution channels of goods and services to just about anything in today's spoon fed world. Democracy is dead. It's been dead for a long time. It probably died shortly after many of us turned 30 or so in the 80s when we got greedy and forgot the 60s and we all sold out. We live in sort of a warped 1950s world today as I see it. All is good: I see nothing, I hear nothing, I say nothing. This really isn’t about Republicans or Democrats… it’s about the sound bite, USA Today, FOX News, Wal-Mart The God, 401K, Smith Barney, and caffe latte (oh how I long for the days of regular black coffee – but I did say this was a warped sort of 50s era). Gee, I don’t even know why I am writing this because I am just as guilty as the rest of the herd. Chew some cud, anyone? Moo…
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