So I've had this blog post in mind for awhile, but this is the first time I've had the chance to really update... it's been a very busy couple of weeks!
Now I'm pretty active on Twitter... well take that back, I check it a lot more than I update it. Anyway, anyone active on Twitter will know the Iran election drama has been a trending topic (thanks Twitter for your website design update) and very popular point of discussion... or at least it had been -- it's seriously been that long. Because of the issues with freedom of press and speech within the country after the elections, many Americans and citizens of other countries around the world voiced their frustrations. And as Twitter soon became a way to communicate, it also became a place to protest. Green-hued icons began popping up all over the place. Now, let me preface this by saying, those who did or do have green icons are not wrong, I'm saying this as my opinion in journalism.
Obviously, democracy and the First Amendment are two large principals our country is based on, and it's a concept we struggle to grapple with in countries which don't have the same luxury. However, as journalists it's so important for us to stay neutral. While I disagree with the governments decision to gag its citizens, I think if a reporter, producer or station at all covers this election, its imperative we stay neutral, and by a reporter having a green overlay, they don't appear neutral. We push to stay neutral in our own elections, this should carry the same weight.
My professor Randy Reeves gave me a great metaphor in the last election season. If a referee drives up to a game with a jayhawk bumper sticker on his car to ref the Mizzou v. kU basketball game, automatically you'll assume he'll favor the jayhawks, regardless of how he calls for/against the Tigers. Even if the game is called perfectly fair, you'll always believe the ref was too easy on the jayhawks.
While not necessarily supporting a specific candidate by putting the green over their Twitter icon, they're forming an opinion over the elections. Yes, I support free elections, but I don't think I can have an opinion on how this particular condition how it's being handled. I can only report on the facts. By having the green overlay I think we form an opinion. And opinions in news don't necessarily mix...
Obviously, democracy and the First Amendment are two large principals our country is based on, and it's a concept we struggle to grapple with in countries which don't have the same luxury. However, as journalists it's so important for us to stay neutral. While I disagree with the governments decision to gag its citizens, I think if a reporter, producer or station at all covers this election, its imperative we stay neutral, and by a reporter having a green overlay, they don't appear neutral. We push to stay neutral in our own elections, this should carry the same weight.
My professor Randy Reeves gave me a great metaphor in the last election season. If a referee drives up to a game with a jayhawk bumper sticker on his car to ref the Mizzou v. kU basketball game, automatically you'll assume he'll favor the jayhawks, regardless of how he calls for/against the Tigers. Even if the game is called perfectly fair, you'll always believe the ref was too easy on the jayhawks.
While not necessarily supporting a specific candidate by putting the green over their Twitter icon, they're forming an opinion over the elections. Yes, I support free elections, but I don't think I can have an opinion on how this particular condition how it's being handled. I can only report on the facts. By having the green overlay I think we form an opinion. And opinions in news don't necessarily mix...
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