Journalism 101

Masquerading as an entertainment news story on CNN.com is the following:

{Quite a few musicians - as well as a notable filmmaker - have joined Rage Against the Machine's Zack de la Rocha in what he calls a “sound strike” of Arizona.

After the state signed into law a bill requiring police to determine the immigration status of individuals suspected of being in the country illegally, some stars came forward voicing their opposition to the legislation.

In a statement, the Rage lead singer encouraged his fellow music artists, as well as music fans, to help “put a stop” to the law.

“Fans of our music, our stories, our films and our words can be pulled over and harassed every day because they are brown or black, or for the way they speak, or for the music they listen to,” de la Rocha said. “People who are poor like some of us used to be could be forced to live in a constant state of fear while just doing what they can to find work and survive. This law opens the door for them to be shaked down, or even worse, detained and deported while just trying to travel home from school, from home to work, or when they just roll out with their friends.”

The law –- SB 1070 –- takes “racial profiling…to a whole new low,” the singer went on. “When Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat, they arrested her. As a result, people got together and said we are not going to ride the bus until they change the law…What if we got together, signed a collective letter saying, ‘We're not going to ride the bus,’ saying we are not going to comply. We are not going to play in Arizona.”

Thus far, a variety of music artists have agreed to join the boycott, including Calle 13, Kanye West, Spank Rock, Tenacious D and Sonic Youth. Filmmaker Michael Moore has also taken a stand with the Sound Strike to protest the law.

Earlier this month, Cypress Hill –- another music group that's joined the boycott –- and Pitbull both canceled concerts in Arizona in protest.}

Okay, that’s it. Every “journalist” out there, go back to Journalism 101 and embrace the idea that YOU HAVE A SERIOUS RESPONSIBILITY TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE TO REPORT FACTS IN AN ETHICAL, UNBIASED WAY! You are a joke. You are a boil on the ass of society.

This is how you would report the same story in a real newspaper.

Recording artists Rage Against the Machine announced (on their website) (today) a “sound strike” against Arizona in protest of the state’s recent immigration legislation. (Go to website and confirm.)

The “strike” consists of refusing to perform live in Arizona and asking other musicians to do the same. (Call the band’s tour manager or promoter and ask: Were any dates signed by contract with venues in the state? Were these contracts canceled? Was the band in negotiations with any venues? Is the band on tour now? Name of tour? How many of the band’s fans normally attend the live performances in Arizona? How much revenue is the band forgoing for this decision?) (Then call venue and ask: How many times in past has this band appeared? The typical crowd draw? The typical monetary take? What’s the venue’s cut? Are they hurt by this action? Their reaction?)

Joining the band’s protest are fellow artists Calle 13, Kanye West, Spank Rock, Tenacious D and Sonic Youth. (Call each and confirm. Get a quote from Kanye, because he’s a turd who loves attention and will call you back and he’s the best known for his recent turd-like behavior on an awards show. You might even mention that to remind people who he is.)

Filmmaker Michael Moore has pledged his support to the band. (Call and ask if he had plans to shoot a film in Arizona.) It is unclear whether Moore intended to shoot an upcoming film in Arizona.

(Call Zack and ask how his “strike” will result in “putting a stop” to the law. Get a DIRECT quote on this.)

(Try to contact Sara in the comments who claims to live in Arizona. Post a request that she contact you via email. Ask to use her full name and reaction – “To condemn their fans for living in Arizona is disgusting.”)

(Notes: Glancing at website shows June tour dates in Europe. They’re not even touring US right now? Looks like the corporate entity handling parts of their European tour is Live Nation – call them for factual tour info. Website has NOTHING listed on Events or Action pages/ sections and NOTHING about this under NEWS. How puzzling. Did this come into CNN as a “press release”? By whom? Who is listed as the contact for more info on the release? At this point, your bullshit meter should be on FULL ALERT. Wait. Is this even a story? Or a ploy on someone’s part to get much needed press attention for a band desperate to paint themselves as socially aware, anti-government rebels? Hmmmm.)

CNN reporter, you are LAZY and DESPICABLE. And a disgrace to what used to be a noble profession. You’re a damn mouthpiece. How sad for you. And us.

Let’s take a look at how CNN packages this as news. The story was accessed by clicking a link on their home page under “Entertainment News.” The headline was “Stars Join Sound Strike Against Arizona.” You were directed to a page called “Marquee” which is a blog? With no byline, reporter’s name, live person compiling it? Other blog entries do have a CNN.com reporter’s name at the bottom of the post (seen if you click through to the “Main” page of the blog). Not this one. No one wanted their name on it…

http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2010/05/27/stars-join-sound-strike-against-arizona/?hpt=Sbin

I believe that the state of journalism has become so bad in our country that the people are very confused and have no idea where to turn for real news and information. Do you have any ideas?