The sad truth behind London riot →

As political and social protests grip the Middle East, are growing in Europe and a riot exploded in north London this weekend, here’s a sad truth, expressed by a Londoner when asked by a television reporter: Is rioting the correct way to express your discontent? “Yes,” said the young man. “You wouldn’t be talking to me now if we didn’t riot, would you?”

The TV reporter from Britain’s ITV had no response. So the young man pressed his advantage. “Two months ago we marched to Scotland Yard, more than 2,000 of us, all blacks, and it was peaceful and calm and you know what? Not a word in the press. Last night a bit of rioting and looting and look around you.”

Why Would the ADL Honor Rupert Murdoch? →

It is a valid question that demands answers. Why would a prominent civil rights organization — one which is supposedly dedicated to fighting bigotry and discrimination — present an award to a man whose cable network profits from race-baiting and hatred?

On October 13, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), the nation’s foremost Jewish civil rights organization, presented an award to media magnate Rupert Murdoch “for his stalwart support of Israel and his commitment to promoting respect and speaking out against anti-Semitism,” according to a press release on the organization’s website.

In his acceptance speech, Murdoch — who of course is the CEO of News Corp, parent of Fox News — spoke of the “soft war” against Israel, and the “ongoing war against the Jews.” Perhaps the most eye-opening part of Rupert Murdoch’s speech was his assertion about the source of most of today’s worst anti-Semitism: the Left.

BBC Revised Editorial Guidelines: Language when Reporting Terrorism →

“There is no agreed consensus on what constitutes a terrorist or terrorist act. The use of the word will frequently involve a value judgement.

“As such, we should not change the word “terrorist” when quoting someone else, but we should avoid using it ourselves

“This should not mean that we avoid conveying the reality and horror of a particular act; rather we should consider how our use of language will affect our reputation for objective journalism

“In a digital age, it is no longer possible to assume an easy split between domestic and overseas audiences.”

BBC Revised Editorial Guidelines: User Generated Content →

“In times of conflict, there are special sensitivities for example about the security of operational military plans, avoiding naming casualties until next of kin have been informed, and handling unsubstantiated rumours. This applies particularly to user generated content when users normally expect their material to be published as soon as it is sent to us.

“At such times, we may publish additional guidelines to the effect that:

“we will concentrate comment and debate about the conflict in a limited number of spaces, with additional hosting and moderation, to maintain a full debate

“we will be prepared to switch to pre-moderation if necessary

“we may ask for claims or statements by third parties to be attributed so that their status becomes easier for our users to evaluate

“we may link from such statements to relevant stories written by the BBC News site so that users can more easily compare them.”

BBC Revised Editorial Guidelines: Demonstrations, Disturbances and Riots →

“Comprehensive coverage of demonstrations, disturbances and riots is an important part of our news reporting. However, in addition to the specific guidelines concerning accuracy and impartiality (see 11.4.2 above), it is important that:

“we assess the risk that, by previewing likely prospects of disturbances, we might encourage them

“we withdraw immediately if we suspect we are inflaming the situation

“when reporting live, we must either install a delay, or cut away and record material for use in an edited report, if the level of violence or disorder becomes too graphic.”

BBC told to ensure balance on climate change →

Climate change sceptics are likely to be given greater prominence in BBC documentaries and news bulletins following new editorial guidelines that call for impartiality in the corporation’s science coverage.

Rupert Murdoch claims to own the 'Sky' in 'Skype' →

I have to confess that when I first heard the news that Rupert Murdoch’s BSkyB has launched a legal challenge to Skype I thought April Fool’s Day had come early, not least because the basis of the case is that the company claims to own the “Sky” in “Skype”.