“Why does Reuters give credibility to a one-sided and hateful blog story?”
A more relevant question is why do I subject myself to such regular doses of HRs foetid rubbish. I always feel like I should shower afterwards.
Reuters have a relatively new blog feature, that’s pulls in a range of blog posts for display on Reuters site. I think we can assume that the monkeys at HRs office have been trawling it for months looking for something to be offended by, and they’re finally struck pay-dirt. HR are outraged (as is their want), by this. Which was based on this with a few innovations like “Zionist regime” and "Apartheid wall" thrown in for good measure.
It’s “hateful and one-sided” of course.
It takes a touch of the totalitarian to be so exercised by other people’s opinion.
Nevermind that Reuters clearly identify this as a blog section and prominently display this,
The following blog post is from an independent writer and is not connected with Reuters News. The opinions and views expressed herein are those of the author and are not endorsed by Reuters.com
HR even acknowledge this.
Never mind that HR says,
The Blogosphere contains a wealth of opinions and claims, some of which contribute to a rational debate and others which may be the personal rantings of a deranged individual
(and we know where HR stands on that continuum don't we!)
And never mind that even HR concedes news is something quite different,
While freedom of speech requires a degree of responsibility that is sometimes lacking in blogs, reputable news services are compelled to comply with much higher standards.
Despite all that, HRs criticism is,
While Reuters may not endorse the sentiments of the blog posting, it still decided to publish them on its own site, therefore giving it unwarranted credibility as a news source
You idiots, you just said blogs and news are different!
HRs tiny tantrum is really just about 2 phrases – “Zionist regime” and “Apartheid Wall”.
Notice they don’t much bother with the central claim of the blog post, the one that would concern most normal observers – that the IDF was going to use live fire against unarmed protestors. Like China does in Tibet.
But, let’s face it, that isn’t controversial. Live fire, particularly from Israeli border police, towards unarmed Palestinians is nothing new.
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