Dan Rather was one of the most respected television reporters for nearly 25 years. And in a seemingly symbolic move; a passing of the torch perhaps, Rather’s career came to end in 2004, ironically because of bloggers.
Rather and his team put together a report about President Bush. In the report they showed documents that claimed that, among other things, Bush was a draft dodger and that he got special treatment in the National Guard because of his powerful family. However, immediately after the report aired, viewers began to question the credibility of the documents. And these people began to speak out about the falsities they believed 60 Minutes had portrayed in the best way they knew how: Blogs.
Ten years ago, people would not have had a platform to voice their opinions or objections about the media. The blogosphere has opened the door for that independent voice that is so crucial to a modern, free society. Blogs like rathergate.org have turned up in the fight to keep the media honest.
Now, I’m not saying that I agree that Dan Rather should have been forced to resign. I think he and his news team made a big mistake by not finding a second source or taking the documents to experts for some kind of verification. And as much as I would love to prove George W was a draft dodger, as a journalist, I could/would never accept reports by fax, from some guy and report them as fact if I could not prove it. Journalism is not journalism without credibility.
As a young journalist I am happy to know someone is there, with an eye on the media to keep us honest. I don’t want to be a part of an industry that accepts speculation or accusation for fact.
And as a new blogger, entering this world of odd lingo and over-zealous rant, known as the blogosphere, I am glad to have a forum to state my own objections about the media and about the world in general.
Archive for September, 2008
Rathergate
AIDS Walk for Life
The AIDS Network is a great organization and for many frontline HIV/AIDS organizations, The AIDS Network is their only help.
Below is a story I wrote about the AIDS Walk for Life in my college paper the Satellite
HIV infection rates are on the rise in Canada and youths 18-30 years old are the most affected segment. Infections among women are also on the rise.
“We are concerned about the rise in infections,” said Lena Smye, the director of marketing and fund development for The AIDS Network. “Infections are up, but funding is down.”
Earlier this year, the Canadian government cut HIV/AIDS funding by 30 per cent. And with HIV/AIDS medication costing upwards of $60,000 per individual per year, the people living with the disease stand the most to lose.
Sandy is a 43-year-old Hamiltonian. More than 18 years ago, while she was studying to become an engineer at University, Sandy became HIV positive.
“What HIV does more than anything is, it shatters dreams,” says Sandy. “I thought I was at the top of the world. At 24, you think you’re invincible. It just happened like that,” said Sandy with a snap of her fingers. “I never knew that 15 minutes was going to haunt the rest of my life.”
Beyond the physical pain of being HIV positive, Sandy says that what hurts the most is the stigma. “People with HIV get treated differently,” said Sandy. “I shouldn’t have to hide it. I shouldn’t feel shame.”
The AIDS network is trying to end the stigma by changing people’s perception of those infected with the disease by educating youths and getting young people involved.
“Youth are a very powerful population in terms of their influence on society in general,” explained Smye. “We believe [youth] are our biggest hope in achieving our mission to recognize and respond to the stigma and challenges posed by HIV/AIDS on individuals and communities through education and support.”
The AIDS Network’s best hope to raise funds and offset their losses from government support is the AIDS Walk for Life. The AIDS Walk is an annual walkathon held in downtown Hamilton every September.
“As a part time professor at Mohawk, I see how young people at Mohawk College take charge when it comes to charitable work.” Said Smye. “Their full-steam-ahead style when it comes to supporting something they believe in is an example we want others in the community to adopt.”
Lena and Sandy encourage students to get involved and sign up for The AIDS Walk for Life. The walk is on Sunday September 21 at 1pm and starts at Christ’s Church Cathedral on James St and ends at Dundurn Heritage Park.
“Quite simply, we cannot reach our goal of $25,000 without the students of Mohawk College,” said Smye.
To register to walk or to sponsor a walker you can go to www.aidsnetwork.ca.
To find the walk closest to you, click here
