The role of journalists is not black and white. Reporting is
not only confined to the facts, but often it is extended into areas that remain
morally and ethically grey. This is
especially the case where journalists are posted in dangerous areas, where the
safety of the journalist is often put into peril in favour of getting ‘the
scoop’. This annotated bibliography will firstly analyse an academic article
about the contemporary role of journalism today. It will then analyse three sources, each of
different mediums, written by journalists in the midst of the conflict in
Syria. Through the analysis of each author and their work, this bibliography
with highlight the role of journalists as first-hand eyewitnesses and the way
in which they communicate back to the public at large. Each source will be
analysed based on their credibility and the transparency of the arguments as
well as the importance of their role as journalist to communicate the news and
their opinions to the people at home.
(Journal Article)Deuze,
Mark. (2006). Liquid Journalism. International Communication Association & American Political Science
Association; Political
Communication Report. 16
(1), 1-4.
Deuze,
associate professor at the Indiana University in Bloomington, has done
extensive research in the field of mass communication and journalism and has
published several works surrounding these issues (Deuze, 2011). In his article
‘Liquid Journalism’ Deuze focuses on the evolution of mass communications and
the changing views of journalism. He argues that the role the media plays in
society is either considered to be a ‘mere mirror of the changes taking place
in world society’ or otherwise seen as taking on a more independent role with
the media having the ability to impact on cultural, economic and political
trends within society. In support of his argument Deuze cites recognised social
philosophers and provides factual evidence. However although Deuze focuses on
the changing role of journalism, this article fails to articulate the reason
behind this change. In focusing only on
the way in which the change affects us he fails to provide context for the
change and an understanding of the underlying causes. Nonetheless this article
is clearly well researched and shows transparency in that it is well referenced
and the arguments presented are thoroughly supported. Furthermore the APSA
Political Communication Report is a well-established journal that is well known
for its reports on politics and mass communication. In relation to Syria, this
article highlights the way in which mass communications and journalistic views can impact on the views and
beliefs of society and therefore the way in which a journalist’s reporting on
the situation in Syria can influence society and impact not just on the present
situation but also on the future one.
(Online Newspaper Article)
Black, Ian. (2012, 8 October). We'll arm the Syrian rebels – but only those who share our values. The Guardian. Retrieved from: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/oct/08/romney-arms-syria-rebels
Ian Black has worked for The Guardian for over twenty-five years as its European editor, diplomatic editor, foreign leader writer and current Middle East editor and correspondent. In 2010 Ian was awarded a Peace through Media Award by the International Council for Press and Broadcasting for his work (The Guardian, 2012). In his most recent article, which focuses on the American presidential debate and the issues surrounding the situation of the Syrian rebels, Black highlights the differences between the two presidential candidates of Obama and Romney and the major differences in their proposed policies in Syria. The article is peppered with quotes from the two candidates and includes references to past instances such as the 1979 peace treaty with Israel and the need to continue to maintain it. Black, throughout this article expresses his personal opinion which reflects his own political and ideological views. However his opinion and personal views carry weight due to the extent of the knowledge he possesses as a resident in the Middle East and a first-hand witness. The article is particularly focused on the views and portrayals of candidate Romney with Black questioning many of his statements. However Blacks arguments are not heavily persuasive as this article is lacking in detailed background information on the Syrian situation. By failing to provide more detail, especially given his first-hand knowledge, Black misses an opportunity to totally win the reader over to his point of view. As a result of this lack of information, it was difficult to understand the full and very complex issues in America’s involvement with Syria. The Guardian is a creditable and renowned British newspaper that has been printing newspapers for close to a century and has remained influential and holds significant political sway in the UK.
(Magazine Article)
Zakaria, Fareed. (2012, June 11). The Case Against Intervention in Syria. Time Magazine World. Retrieved: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2116135,00.html#ixzz28uAlFyCr
The Time
magazine is the world’s largest circulations weekly news magazine with a
readership of over 25 million. Zakaria is an editor at large at The Time
magazine and has worked in foreign affairs for over two decades (Timeinc. 2007).
Zakaria’s experience within the field of
reporting is evident throughout the article as he articulates his expressions
and views on the brutal regime of Bashar Assad and
uses history as evidence to support his opinions. This article questions the
current method of the United States in dealing with Assad and, though the use
of different instances, including the latest massacre of civilians in Houla, the
article forces the reader to question the current strategy and the role the
United States has played. This argument is further aligned with the argument of
Ian Black, aforementioned, in that he criticises the Unites-States position and
places emphasis on the politics of the intervention. Zakaria enforces his main arguments
against the intervention in Syria through the use of stories, factual evidence
and statistics. Zakaria views are very
clear and although he doesn’t provide any counter arguments he highlights several
arguments as to why he believes military intervention is unlikely to work in
Syria, and provides reasoning and examples for each. In presenting his argument
in this format, Zakaria is able to provide a credibility and transparency that
helps communicate with the reader and further helps provide an authenticity to
the article.
(Chapter from Book)
Starr, S. (2012) Damascus: Dragged towards Revolt in Revolt in Syria: Eyewitness to the uprising. London, United Kingdom. C Hurst and Co. Retrieved: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Revolt-Syria-Eye-Witness-Stephen-Starr/dp/1849041970
Starr, S. (2012) Damascus: Dragged towards Revolt in Revolt in Syria: Eyewitness to the uprising. London, United Kingdom. C Hurst and Co. Retrieved: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Revolt-Syria-Eye-Witness-Stephen-Starr/dp/1849041970
Stephen
Starr, in his chapter Damascus: Dragged towards Revolt, writes about his experience
as a journalist living in the midst of the violence in the Middle East and
highlights several of his opinions on the uprising in Syria. This book was
published by C Hurst and Co, a well-known British publishing house that
specialises in Global Affairs. Starr provides a vivid account of the first few
months of the uprising and his life as a journalist living amongst it. In doing
so he presents his ideas on the way in which Syria differs from other Arab
uprisings and the role the media played in representing the situation throughout
the country. Starr goes on to criticise the propaganda under the current regime
and expresses his opinions on the resolve of the Syrian people. Although this
chapter, and in effect this book, is a personal account of the author’s
experiences and it is clearly subjective in that it is the authors personal
beliefs, the arguments are well presented and supported by factual evidence
including citations from other recognised scholars. Unlike Zakaria in his
article (discussed above), Starr highlights and criticises various problems in
Syria including the role of the media and the position of the United-States.
However despite his criticisms he does not present any possible solutions to
the problems he raised. Although this meant there was a lack of balance it was
clear that this book was both well-researched and well-funded which therefore
afforded it the opportunity to present itself as a creditable resource.
References.
Deuze, Mark. (2011). Department of Telecommunications. Indiana University Bloomington. Retrieved
from: http://www.indiana.edu/~telecom/people/faculty/deuze.shtml
The Guardian. (2012). Ian Black – Profile. Guardian News and Media Limited. Retrieved
from: http://www.guardian.co.uk/profile/ianblack
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