We've all heard the phrase "it's a free country!" thrown about arbitrarily, usually in spite of some form of dissent. The truth is that our freedoms were never ubiquitous to begin with, and we have to remind ourselves of that fact routinely. They were, after all, amended onto our constitution, and that is more than enough proof for me to view the constitution not as gospel but rather a perfectly human construct full of ambiguities and logical loopholes. The first amendment guarantees us the right to our freedom of (and from) religion, speech, press, petition, and assembly, and despite those guarantees, we still slave over the meaning of those, too. Take a look at http://constitution.findlaw.com/amendment1.html to find out just how much the meaning of about 45 simply written words can be abstracted and fought over.
2. SPJ Code of Conduct
As a student of Journalism, I've found reading the SPJ Ethics is very affirming and motivating. There were times between semesters where I've felt as if I may have forgotten a rule or two, and returning to this list is very grounding. I recommend anyone who is interested in producing content for the internet to read it. Amateurs who might be intimidated with "getting it right", given the cruel nature of the internet can find solace here with it's concise rules, which should guide any prospecting writer to produce worthy and truthful content.
3. New York Times v. Sullivan
Simply, this case should be on the sleeve of every Journalist and media critic. Becoming aware of the phrase "reckless disregard of the truth" more than halves the effort in deciding what is libel in casual conversation.
4. Hutchins Commission
A concise and "classical" description of the press of there ever was any. Among it's basic platitudes (http://www.uiowa.edu/~c019168/168s6online2b.html), it makes the point that self-regulation is the very checks and balances of maintaining freedom of the press. Does the basic nature of the internet pose a challenge to these ideas, however? With the internet providing an easy access to adult and perhaps obscene content, along with malicious and hateful speech and piracy, it isn't unusual to find someone conflating these with the freedom of expression. If this continues uncontested by private entities, is the government right to step in? I believe this is one of the major challenges to libertarianism in the new century.
5. Kerner Commision
I find it absurd that some believe that this document actually redeems rioters within poverty. Acknowledging the root causes of civil unrest isn't the same as condoning them. The findings of the document should be the bottom line in discussing the oppressed classes. A lack of representation in the economy and the media and a culturally indifferent police force are the ABC's of a mistrustful lower class filled with malaise.
6. Peter Zenger and Andrew Hamilton
This makes me go back to basic Journalism Ethics. The truth has to be at the heart of any writing, with no room for rumors or anything of that sort. Truth is always the best defense.
8. The Pentagon Papers
Here's a funny anecdote. I have seen a stage adaptation of "The Pentagon Papers" once. Government documents, no matter how riveting, do not necessarily translate well into theater. A complete bore. That being said, it is an absolutely pertinent moment in the history of free speech, one that is more important now that hackers and make the headlines every day. It provokes the question: Would you trust the Supreme Court to decide the legality of how government leaks are reported? Must our freedoms depend on a grayed, legal ambiguity?
9. The Elements of Style
I have never read The Elements of Style. My editing teacher last semester did advise us to read and to memorize it. The reference book I've been most familiar with however is Working With Words, an incredibly heavy book of grammar rules. Upon graduation, I was considering doing my best in memorizing that, but after looking through this book, I may switch books. For example, I like its explanation on possessives, something that doesn't have enough of a consensus amongst writers. The style presented almost stubbornly works against some of the more problematic rules of grammar.
10. Freedom of Information Act
I have never issued a FOIA. Much has been said about what a logistical nightmare that it is to get what you want.
12. Edward R. Murrow's RTNDA Speech
I think this is a genius commentary, trenchant with the wit of someone who is equally devoted and jaded by the whole thing. Here are two of my favorite quotes, which I think have grown exponential in meaning given the rise of internet and social media:
"It is not necessary to remind you of the fact that your voice, amplified to the degree where it reaches from one end of the country to the other, does not confer upon you greater wisdom than when your voice reached only from one end of the bar to the other."
and
" I have reason to know, as do many of you, that when the evidence on a controversial subject is fairly and calmly presented, the public recognizes it for what it is: an effort to illuminate rather than to agitate."
13. A hilarious and incredibly potent document from George Orwell showing the relation of bad language to our social politic. My favorite section is the one where he gives examples of meaningless words, all of which are loaded with meanings that would vary from reader to reader: "The word Fascism has now no meaning except in so far as it signifies ‘something not desirable’. The words democracy, socialism, freedom, patriotic, realistic, justice have each of them several different meanings which cannot be reconciled with one another." With great humor, he makes the case that using such language poisons the well of discourse.
14. Magna Carta
While I find this absolutely amusing in it's devotion to the rights of nobility and not much else, it makes me more interested in the other noteworthy legal documents in history that have influenced the constitution. Not much else I can say, honestly.
15. Tom Wolfe & The New Journalism
I recall something my literacy theory teacher said: "It's a pretty lousy time for fiction but it is a golden age for non-fiction." Whenever I read about New Journalism, it's almost immediately followed by its legitimacy as a specific genre and whether or not it is still prevalent in contemporary writing. Honestly I'm not very concerned about that. It is true that literary techniques isn't anything particularly new prior to the 60's (Ernest Hemingway has even incorporated elements of Theater in his articles surrounding the first World War) what we have is a wealth of classic reportage of a specific period, particularly the 60's and 70's. I believe we can agree that whatever New Journalism was, it was a period of bold style and reporting that reached new heights in popularity and social relevance. A golden age if you will.
16. The Brown Act
Today, many of these public meetings are archived on the internet (Santa Monica broadcasts their meetings on the radio) Easy access to recordings and transcription methods would only increase public awareness of what's going on in . But it's not guaranteed. Reporters are always necessary at the scene.
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