Author Topic: Unbiased reporting (Read 3198 times)

Dexter · « **on:** October 25, 2005, 06:02:47 am »

Hi all,

I've mentioned a number of times on these forums about the freedom and unbiased nature of our press here in Ireland, originally in relation to the iraq war and american presidential election. Certain members, despite me providing links etc like to take pot shots and cheap snipes (especially on threads which I haven't even posted) at the fact that I mentioned that our media reported these events in such a way i.e. Dexters "unbiased media" etc.

Thought I'd post this, a study just released showing who has the real press freedoms:

"Nation's openness sinking after Sept. 11, northern Europe tops the list

The annual worldwide press freedom index from Reporters Without Borders shows the United States, which is supposedly spreading freedom and liberty throughout the world, is in a fast decline regarding the freedom of its own press."

Sample of rankings....

1. Ireland
44. America

http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=15331

http://www.rsf.org/IMG/pdf/CM_2005_Eu_Eng.pdf

Please, the usual suspects, please please do the usual personal attack post and once again show us your mentality.........

duffjr · « **Reply #1 on:** October 25, 2005, 06:31:38 am »

i was hoping to edge out macedonia this year, but i'm happy to gain two places on bolivia.

ChadTower · « **Reply #2 on:** October 25, 2005, 09:10:54 am »

Does the Irish media still tell Irish citizens that birth control is immoral?

Dexter · « **Reply #3 on:** October 25, 2005, 10:08:42 am »

Quote from: ChadTower on October 25, 2005, 09:10:54 am

Does the Irish media still tell Irish citizens that birth control is immoral?

LOL! Love it. No, by the way. The influence of the god squad is much more prevailant in american media. Pat Robertson anybody?? Its been a long long time since the churches views dictated the medias actions.

The divide between church and media is continuing to widen even more due to the increasing diversity of the religious landscape here due to immigration etc. The vaticans views carry a lot less collateral over here due to the revelations of the last 10-15 years.

shmokes · « **Reply #4 on:** October 25, 2005, 11:03:18 am »

Freedom is lame.

ChadTower · « **Reply #5 on:** October 25, 2005, 11:08:07 am »

So, is birth control legal in Ireland now?

shmokes · « **Reply #6 on:** October 25, 2005, 11:13:14 am »

Well....no. But at least the press can talk about how lame that is.

ChadTower · « **Reply #7 on:** October 25, 2005, 11:17:09 am »

Don't ever talk to us about unbiased reporting or separation of church and state while birth control is still illegal.

shmokes · « **Reply #8 on:** October 25, 2005, 11:18:41 am »

My last post was a fabrication...

ChadTower · « **Reply #9 on:** October 25, 2005, 11:23:34 am »

Liar!

RetroJames · « **Reply #10 on:** October 25, 2005, 11:53:06 am »

The Irish are funny cause they are always drunk

-RetroJames McGovern

*hic*

are you lookin' at me?

Dexter · « **Reply #11 on:** October 25, 2005, 12:20:59 pm »

Quote from: ChadTower on October 25, 2005, 11:17:09 am

Don't ever talk to us about unbiased reporting or separation of church and state while birth control is still illegal.

BIRTH CONTROL ILLEGAL IN IRELAND?? ROTFHAPH!!

mr.Curmudgeon · « **Reply #12 on:** October 25, 2005, 12:32:25 pm »

Quote from: Dexter on October 25, 2005, 12:20:59 pm

Cheers for that Chad, I'd a lousy day in work and that cheered me up no end. Any more ingenious observations about my backward nation!!

Do you guys really live in caves? Will a leprechaun punch you in the bean bag if you insult his mother? How heavy is the pot of gold at the end of a rainbow? What do you like better, fighting or drinking?

Inquiring minds want to know!

/sarcasm

mrC

Dexter · « **Reply #13 on:** October 25, 2005, 12:34:41 pm »

Quote from: mr.Curmudgeon on October 25, 2005, 12:32:25 pm

What do you like better, fighting or drinking?
/sarcasm

mrC

Fights where our drinks don't get spilled, they're the ones we write the songs about

RetroJames · « **Reply #14 on:** October 25, 2005, 12:50:50 pm »

Quote from: mr.Curmudgeon on October 25, 2005, 12:32:25 pm

What do you like better, fighting or drinking?

Inquiring minds want to know!

/sarcasm

mrC

Put your hands together....

ChadTower · « **Reply #15 on:** October 25, 2005, 01:48:05 pm »

Hey, just going on what my relatives in Dublin tell me... I know it was illegal as recently as way too recently, though had no idea if they had legalized it.

My wife and her whole family are Dublin imports. I don't think it is even possible for folks from there to be unbiased about anything. They're too busy dealing with Irish Catholic self blame and hate issues.

shmokes · « **Reply #16 on:** October 25, 2005, 02:00:10 pm »

And not just self blame....I blame and hate them too.

ChadTower · « **Reply #17 on:** October 25, 2005, 02:01:55 pm »

MMM, guilt, blame, self loathing, and repressed anger without comprehension...

...anyone know why they drink so much?

mr.Curmudgeon · « **Reply #18 on:** October 25, 2005, 02:24:32 pm »

Roman-Catholicism made me the Curmudgeon I am today! Thanks Original Sin!

mrC

JoyMonkey · « **Reply #19 on:** October 25, 2005, 02:45:42 pm »

For a country that prides itself so much on freedom, it's really disturbing how much censorship there is in US media. The first time I came over here I couldn't believe how bad it was, and it's only gotten worse.
I'm not sure how when or why it all started, but I'd bet that it's lazy unresponsible negligent parents that are to blame again.

ChadTower · « **Reply #20 on:** October 25, 2005, 02:49:47 pm »

What censorship? A media outlet can report anything, and they often do, whether it is true or not.

Dartful Dodger · « **Reply #21 on:** October 25, 2005, 03:06:10 pm »

Quote from: ChadTower on October 25, 2005, 02:49:47 pm

What censorship?

Dexter · « **Reply #22 on:** October 25, 2005, 03:28:20 pm »

Quote from: JoyMonkey on October 25, 2005, 02:45:42 pm

For a country that prides itself so much on freedom, it's really disturbing how much censorship there is in US media. The first time I came over here I couldn't believe how bad it was, and it's only gotten worse.
I'm not sure how when or why it all started, but I'd bet that it's lazy unresponsible negligent parents that are to blame again.

Hows things fellow proto-ape friend! And theres me thinkinging Joe Dolan and the road to Dublin were the only good things to emerge from Mullingar!!

You're absolutely right though. We spend the first week of my (lives outside boston) adopted brother types holiday home to Ireland every year bringing him up to spec on whats really happening in the world.

Anyway, its not the parents fault, it's Marilyn Manson and Family Guys fault

ChadTower · « **Reply #23 on:** October 25, 2005, 04:10:55 pm »

Quote from: Dartful Dodger on October 25, 2005, 03:06:10 pm

Quote from: ChadTower on October 25, 2005, 02:49:47 pm

What censorship?

Zakk · « **Reply #24 on:** October 25, 2005, 08:47:56 pm »

Grandpa Simpson: The last time the meteors came, we thought the sky was on fire. Naturally, we blamed the Irish. We hanged more 'n a few.

DrewKaree · « **Reply #25 on:** October 25, 2005, 09:21:06 pm »

I think your links provide the best comment:

"The index should in no way be taken as an indication of the quality of the press in the countries concerned."

Oh, and in case you missed it, your "silver bullet" you're offering us says nothing about bias. In case you missed it again, I'll quote from your own link:

"The index measures the state of press freedom in the world."

Yeah, I'm sure the freedom they measured by asking reporters what they thought about how free they were....I'm sure if they're more "free" to report, it makes it easier to be "free" of bias too. Right? That's what you're equating this to?

Hey, while you're at it, can you post us the survey where they prove that your cable television system is the best because only in Ireland can you get channel 57 too?

I'll continue to wait for your unassailable proof of non-biased reporting in your country. Telling us how free your reporters feel isn't even in the same neighborhood as unbiased reporting. Well, unless they're so free in their reporting that they TOLD you they were unbiased.

Oh...pssst....guys, I think he was talking about ME!

Anyone else care to try to explain to Dexter the difference between "free" and "bias", and how one doesn't negate the other?

Dexter · « **Reply #26 on:** October 26, 2005, 05:25:58 am »

YAY! You took your time but didn't let the side down. Thanks for proving my point again Drew

Dartful Dodger · « **Reply #27 on:** October 26, 2005, 12:52:54 pm »

Get your unbiased reporting from a country that's two main powers are killing each other to prove which one is more Christian than the other.

By the way, you can all stop killing each other now, because Jesus likes me the most.

Grasshopper · « **Reply #28 on:** October 26, 2005, 01:04:37 pm »

Quote from: Dartful Dodger on October 26, 2005, 12:52:54 pm

Get your unbiased reporting from a country that's two main powers are killing each other to prove which one is more Christian than the other.

By the way, you can all stop killing each other now, because Jesus likes me the most.

Well I've never had much time for religion and many wars are indeed fought in the name of religion. But I have to say if you're talking about Northern Ireland then that conflict has very little to do with religion. Catholic and Protestant are just labels used to describe the two communities. The conflict is mainly about politics and historical grievances.

Dartful Dodger · « **Reply #29 on:** October 26, 2005, 01:35:44 pm »

Quote from: Grasshopper on October 26, 2005, 01:04:37 pm

Well I've never had much time for religion and many wars are indeed fought in the name of religion. But I have to say if you're talking about Northern Ireland then that conflict has very little to do with religion. Catholic and Protestant are just labels used to describe the two communities. The conflict is mainly about politics and historical grievances.

I am labeled a Catholic. I was under the impression that being labeled a Catholic had everything to do with my religion.

Do you have a link to an unbiased website that says being Catholic or being Protestant has very little to do with religion?

Grasshopper · « **Reply #30 on:** October 26, 2005, 02:05:38 pm »

Quote from: Dartful Dodger on October 26, 2005, 01:35:44 pm

Quote from: Grasshopper on October 26, 2005, 01:04:37 pm
Well I've never had much time for religion and many wars are indeed fought in the name of religion. But I have to say if you're talking about Northern Ireland then that conflict has very little to do with religion. Catholic and Protestant are just labels used to describe the two communities. The conflict is mainly about politics and historical grievances.

I am labeled a Catholic. I was under the impression that being labeled a Catholic had everything to do with my religion.

Do you have a link to an unbiased website that says being Catholic or being Protestant has very little to do with religion?

You're missing my point. The IRA is fighting its campaign to try and achieve a united Ireland, and to promote the interests of Northern Ireland's nationalist community who just happen to be mainly catholic. They are not fighting in the name of Catholicism.

The same applies to the Loyalists groups. They're fighting to keep northern Ireland as part of the UK not to promote protestant christianity per se.

mr.Curmudgeon · « **Reply #31 on:** October 26, 2005, 02:06:45 pm »

Quote from: Dartful Dodger on October 26, 2005, 01:35:44 pm

Do you have a link to an unbiased website that says being Catholic or being Protestant has very little to do with religion?

How about the IRA's original mission statement (via Wikipedia): "Since its emergence in 1969, its stated aim has been the reunification of Ireland which it believed could not be achieved without an armed campaign directed against British rule in Northern Ireland."

mrC

mr.Curmudgeon · « **Reply #32 on:** October 26, 2005, 02:08:43 pm »

Quote from: Grasshopper on October 26, 2005, 02:05:38 pm

You're missing my point. The IRA is fighting its campaign to try and achieve a united Ireland...

Correction, *was* fighting...

# 28 July 2005: The IRA release a statement that it is ending its armed campaign and will verifiably put its arms beyond use.
# 25 September 2005: International weapons inspectors supervise the full disarmament of the IRA.

If this was a conflict based on religious differences, they'd still be fighting, rather than having moved into the diplomatic arena.

mrC

shmokes · « **Reply #33 on:** October 26, 2005, 05:54:11 pm »

Quote from: Dartful Dodger on October 26, 2005, 01:35:44 pm

Quote from: Grasshopper on October 26, 2005, 01:04:37 pm
Well I've never had much time for religion and many wars are indeed fought in the name of religion. But I have to say if you're talking about Northern Ireland then that conflict has very little to do with religion. Catholic and Protestant are just labels used to describe the two communities. The conflict is mainly about politics and historical grievances.

I am labeled a Catholic. I was under the impression that being labeled a Catholic had everything to do with my religion.

Do you have a link to an unbiased website that says being Catholic or being Protestant has very little to do with religion?

Why even dignify him with a polite response. Grasshopper's exact words were the "conflict has very little to do with religion." Last I checked neither "catholic" nor "protestant" was synonomous with "conflict". Well...actually I've technically never checked, per se.....

mr.Curmudgeon · « **Reply #34 on:** October 26, 2005, 06:02:12 pm »

Quote from: shmokes on October 26, 2005, 05:54:11 pm

Why even dignify him with a polite response.

Usually, I don't. But it took all of 3 seconds on Google to show him how dense his comment was. I seriously think he really has his own internet that is completely devoid of information, and instead is only filled with dancing animated .gifs, that keep him entertained for hours.

mrC

Dartful Dodger · « **Reply #35 on:** October 26, 2005, 06:07:44 pm »

The Catholics were attacking Protestant churches and visa versa.

The unbiased shmokes, who hasn't check any facts says these conflicts has very little to do with religion.

JoyMonkey · « **Reply #36 on:** October 26, 2005, 06:31:58 pm »

Quote from: Dartful Dodger on October 26, 2005, 06:07:44 pm

The Catholics were attacking Protestant churches and visa versa.

What corner of your arse did you pull this illegitimate pseudo-fact from?

DrewKaree · « **Reply #37 on:** October 26, 2005, 07:00:02 pm »

Quote from: Dexter on October 26, 2005, 05:25:58 am

YAY! You took your time but didn't let the side down. Thanks for proving my point again Drew

No problem, just doing what I can to make you feel like you're right. Thanks yourself for not answering my point. Whaddaya know, nobody else feels like pointing out where I've been wrong either.

Dartful Dodger · « **Reply #38 on:** October 26, 2005, 07:09:45 pm »

Quote from: JoyMonkey on October 26, 2005, 06:31:58 pm

What corner of your arse did you pull this illegitimate

shmokes · « **Reply #39 on:** October 26, 2005, 07:16:51 pm »

Quote from: Dartful Dodger on October 26, 2005, 06:07:44 pm

The Catholics were attacking Protestant churches and visa versa.

The unbiased shmokes, who hasn't check any facts says these conflicts has very little to do with religion.

Wait....are we talking about me? I thought we were talking about the media.

And, um, for future reference, when I say, "His exact words were...," followed by quotation marks, I am actually quoting, or repeating, for informational purposes, someone else's words. It's actually an extremely common grammatical device.

And either way, regardless of the accuracy of his original claim, your post put words in his mouth that did not even resemble what he actually said.

One last and......and for the record JoyMonkey, Dartful's ass is extraordinarily large and, more importantly, quite round -- bulbous, one might say. He didn't pull that "fact" from a corner, per se......more like from a soft, fleshy curve.


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