As we're arguably amidst the most digitally intrusive era known to man, there are few "national security" or "anti-terrorism" federal acts that seem to surprise me anymore. After reading about the Patriot Act in Chapter 6 though––I was a little shocked. "Source Protection in the Age of Surveillance" from Journalism After Snowden by Emily Bell... Continue Reading →
Private information is a news source too
We'd like to believe that ethics and morality are the founding pillars of good journalism, and in the grand scheme of things, I truly believe they are. But when leaked, private information becomes a journalist's only source, those moral pillars often seem to crumble. According to an article written for the Columbia Journalism Review, in... Continue Reading →
Sure, but I’m not putting my name on it
In most landmark decisions, the opinion of the Court is written by the Chief Justice or most senior justice joining in the opinion. Because they are the cases that will studied for many years to come, justices want be the ones to pen the opinion and determine its language. It is through their written opinions... Continue Reading →
SPEAK TRUTH TO POWER
In my last blog post I wrote about Jamal Khashoggi and his death. This week his death understandably is taking up the news headlines. The Saudis have confirmed Khashoggi’s death but now he is to blame. Apparently Khashoggi fought in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul which led to him being killed. The questions we need... Continue Reading →
Stormys’ A-Brewin’
A federal judge dismissed adult film star Stormy Daniels’ defamation lawsuit against President Donald Trump yesterday in Federal court. Daniels claimed Trump’s tweet attacked the veracity of her account of the incident and that his tweet was false, defamatory and charged her with a serious crime. In an order handed down Monday, U.S. District Judge... Continue Reading →
Journalism,Risk and Confidentiality
The death of the Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi has been in the news recently. The Turkish government said Khashoggi was killed in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. At first, no one confirmed if he was dead, although it was suspected. Apparently Khashoggi went to the consulate to arrange for a marriage certificate but never came out. Trump said Khashoggi’s death was the possibility of... Continue Reading →
Life is short, have an affair, and get hacked!
With modern technological advances happening all the time, it is not surprising that the First Amendment is being considered a factor in journalistic approaches to covering leaks. Ashley Madison, an online dating website that specifically targets married adults who want to have affairs, was hacked in July 2015. This hack leaked tens of millions of user’s... Continue Reading →
The Paradox: Journalism and Secrecy.
Chapter seven in Journalism After Snowden is entitled “Digital Security for Journalists.” Written by Julia Angwin, this chapter addresses the best ways for journalists to protect themselves, their sources, and their stories. I found this chapter to be extremely useful and interesting. On the first page, Angwin addresses the strange concept of journalists keeping secrets.... Continue Reading →
A Woman on a Bicycle…
The image of a woman on a bicycle has caused a lot of buzz recently. Specifically, the woman who was photographed giving the middle finger to Trump’s motorcade while pedaling beside it. A BBC article came out on November 6, stating that the woman had been fired from her job because she made this gesture... Continue Reading →
Do Governments get a “private life”?
While reading Whistleblowers, Leaks and the Media, I began to reflect on my own values, and those I want to bring to my career (if that happens to be a journalist). I have always come from the perspective that leaks are important and vital to our society, as a whole. Which I would say most... Continue Reading →