Indy media should be independent of both parties

During the '08 presidential campaign, liberal bloggers acted in the fine tradition of journalistic watchdogs when they exposed dishonesty in many Republican ads attacking candidate Obama, like this one and this one.

But they didn't blow the whistle on indefensible Obama campaign ads -- like this one in Spanish aimed at Latino voters smearing McCain as anti-immigrant with comments made by Rush Limbaugh, who was not in any way part of the McCain campaign. When translated, the ad says, "They want us to forget the insults we've put up with, the intolerance" -- as a picture of Limbaugh appears onscreen with quotes OF LIMBAUGH saying, "Mexicans are stupid and unqualified" and "Shut your mouth or get out." The ad continues: "They made us feel marginalized in a country we love so much. John McCain and his Republican friends have two faces. One that says lies just to get our vote and another, even worse, that continues the failed policies of George Bush."

Here was a McCain Campaign ad and another aimed at Latinos and immigrants that probably got less play than the Obama ad attacking McCain.

Fox New Follies

Whenever I look at Drudge's litany of false claims, the only silver lining I can find is that at least Drudge's factual errors are not as continuous as on Fox News.

Another Drudge Exclusive

In 2007, Drudge accused CNN reporter Michael Ware of "heckling" Republican senators during a news conference in Iraq and "laughing and mocking their comments." Drudge based the report on an anonymous "official" who Drudge quoted as saying: "I've never witnessed such disrespect." The claim was picked up by rightwing blogs and the Washington Times. Ware responded that he hadn't said a word during the news conference. This video of the John McCain-led news conference -- obtained by indy outlet Raw Story -- shows Ware sitting in the back, silent.

"World Exclusive" according to Drudge

Maybe Drudge is better off sticking to aggregating content from elsewhere (with revved-up headlines) than doing his own "reporting."

Harry Potter Alliance vs. Big Media

H/t to Monica W. Fans of Potter challenge media conglomeration, aka "Voldemedia"

Ethical blogger action?

Here's an apparent example of a blogger acting professionally and ethically as per SPJ Code of Ethics: Blogger Ken Krayeske, who gained fame by questioning University of Connecticut's basketball coach about his huge taxpayer-paid salary, announced a while ago that he wouldn't be covering City Hall because his girlfriend has a job there.

Bill Clinton Diatribe

Mayhill Fowler says she didn't hide that she was recording former President Clinton's angry attack on a Vanity Fair reporter, while he greeted voters in a ropeline as he campaigned for his wife in June 2008. (UNFORTUNATELY THE HUFFPOST AUDIO AVAILABLE UNTIL RECENTLY IS NOW INOPERABLE). Clinton did not know Fowler was a "citizen journalist" for HuffingtonPost. Should Fowler have identified herself? Should politicians talk to some members of the public (he assumed Fowler supported his wife) one way and others a different way? Would Clinton have given his honest views to Fowler if he fully understood she was an actual journalist?

Mayhill Fowler's earlier reporting scoop that launched "Bittergate" uproar.