Media industry faces ethics challenge

CBSmarketwatch ^ | Sept 20th, 2004 | Jon Friedman

[The_Republican]

NEW YORK (CBS.MW) -- U.S. journalists face an ethical conundrum this political season: If they attend one of the pro-John Kerry concerts headlined by Bruce Springsteen, are they breaching industry ethics?

Springsteen, who has demonstrated his political agenda in many cases through such songs as "Born in the USA" and "My Hometown," has prompted a wide debate in the newspaper industry.

This fall, Springsteen is headlining a series of concerts in the swing states to raise money for anti-President Bush ads.

The nation's editors are divided on the issue, but many say they are discouraging their colleagues from going to the shows.

For instance, Editor & Publisher, which covers the newspaper industry, noted that in Cleveland, home of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Plain Dealer Editor Doug Clifton didn't mind if his staffers attended one of the "Vote For Change" concerts.

"I don't see it so much as a political statement; more as an entertainment thing," Clifton told E&P. Cleveland will host the tour, which includes Springsteen, Pearl Jam, and other groups, on Oct. 2.

"We haven't restricted people from going to it," he said.

[Tacis]

Where's the challenge? Where's the ethics?

The ultra-left wing, non-cable, neocommunist media in this country has a strong ethical bias against anything Republican and for anything anti-American and pro-socialist. They practice what the preach and never do anything to pretend they are fair, balanced or objective. Where's the dispute?

[fat city]

"NEW YORK (CBS.MW) -- U.S. journalists face an ethical conundrum this political season: If they attend one of the pro-John Kerry concerts headlined by Bruce Springsteen, are they breaching industry ethics?'

I'm no student of logic but isn't this argument "reductio ad absurdum"?