The Journalistic Information-Media Outlet: Civil Exchange of Opinions - Essay Example

 I choose democracy now.org which is the info-media outlet to recommend a journalistic information-media outlet to people looking for quality journalism. The medium used by the outlet is the internet. It is apparent that internet is transforming the news media as more Americans are relying on online sources of news instead of traditional broadcast media and print. The content that now.org selects involves the equality issues in women worldwide. The outlet emphasizes on gender balance, economic justice and the fight against violence on women. The in-text citations and works cited entry can be found in the various articles in the website for the authenticity of the information. I find democracy now that journalistic information-media outlet is credible because it updates correct information and support open and civil exchange of views. The outlet also provides access to source material when it is relevant and appropriate. The now.org information is in alignment with six core issues. The first issue is of reproductive rights and justice. It involves support to effective birth control, legal abortions and emergency contraception. The second issue is of ending violence against women. In this issue NOW emphasizes on prevention of sexual harassment, domestic violence and hate crimes across lines of gender. The third issue is economic justice which involves livable wages, pension reform, pay equity and job discrimination. As for the fourth issue LGBT rights, it entails combating the effects of homophobia and promoting a positive image in the media. The fifth issue that NOW emphasizes is racial justice. It involves fighting hindrances to equality and justice imposed by racism. The last issue NOW tend to emphasize is of constitutional equality amendment (NOW, par 1-4). One article on the now.org is about NOW showing support to the Saudi Arabia women in honor of the International Women’s Day. It is evident that Saudi Arabia has enjoyed a strategical relationship with the United States. The accountability regarding human rights in the Arab state is alarming as to how they treat the females. The 2014 Global Gender Gap Report ranks Saudi Arabia 130th out of 142 nations. Statistics has also shown that it is the only nation that illegal for a woman to drive a car. What is remarkable is that in 2012 the government of Saudi Arabia implemented a travel policy of alerting men when their females would attempt to leave the country. The article also clearly shows how in 2014 the National Organization of Women joined other nine women rights in endorsing a bipartisan letter (Bergaoui & Erickson, Par 3-6). The article is well aligned with the core purpose that NOW is considerate about in this media outlet. This is by ensuring equality of women. It is evident that the article is filed under sex discrimination, global feminism and stopping of violence against women. The article is factual as it gives the details of how the women in Saudi Arabia have been handled over the years through laws that tend to intimidate and undermine them. Some of the laws such as not driving a car are due to unsubstantial beliefs that women would have a negative physiological impact. The website democracy now.org can be evaluated by considering the four principles in the SPJ Code of Ethics, which are a foundation of ethical journalism. The first principle which is to seek truth and report it, the now.org tends to be honest in gathering, conveying and interpreting information. The media outlet also serves as watchdog over public affairs. NOW website also provides content as they care not to misrepresent in previewing a story. The NOW website also considers the long-term implications of the permanence of publication. This is in alignment with the second principle SPJ Code of Ethics to minimize harm. The other principle of being accountable and transparent is considered by NOW as they tend to explain ethical choices and processes to the audience. The outlet has got some biases that I detected. One is that the information provide may be due to conflict of interest by the NOW activists. Also, when there are some mistakes in the outlet clarifications after correcting take time to be conveyed out. In my view, though there is some negativity in the outlet, it is professionally ethical in terms of the standard of information provided to the public. The ethical standards kept have made people be loyal in accessing the website as it is a platform of conveying equity issues in the society. When one compares the outlet to Wikipedia, it has authentic information that is not plagiarized. The content in the outlet is educational to the society. This is because NOW uses the media outlet to create awareness on the rights of women in the community. The information helps the government to be keen in implementing the proposals brought forward as it has a massive following all around the country. The content also in the outlet is considerate of sources motives before considering anonymity. The NOW outlet also reserves anonymity for sources which may face danger and retribution. The content in the outlet is relevant as it portrays freedom, equality and dignity for women in the twenty-first century. The content on the website is relevant to it beliefs that NOW has for a better society. One of the beliefs is how essential it is for every girl child to be educated to her full potential as it is for every boy. It is apparent that education for a girl as for a boy is key in effective involvement in the today’s economy. The other belief is that women must now exercise their political rights as the American citizens. This is relevant as it has led to women consideration in the informal power structure, national levels, and local levels. The overall value of the now.org media outlet is that it empowers other people to demand their rights worldwide and ensure equality in their society. This is because the website can be accessed in any part of the world. The outlet is worth people’s time to check it out as it gives an update on the current issues in empowering the woman. They say that empowering a woman is essential as it is a way of empowering the family which makes up a community. The outlet is also worth ones time as it updates on the various event to happen in the future such as conferences which are educative. It is also easy to understand what NOW is all about as the information is put in a simple and clear way. The outlet also gives an opportunity to anyone who might be having a question for clarity purposes to ask and get a response. In conclusion, it is apparent that democratic now.org informative media outlet is a standard platform to get reliable and authentic information. It is evident that as per the SPJ Code of Ethics, the journalist quality is up to standard. This is because there is truth in reporting and accountability of the information conveyed. A reader in the now.org media outlet is of importance as his reply enables the journalist who posted the article to see the impact he has in the society. The author of an article is also able to realize a mistake that might be identified by the reader. Democracy is evident now that journalistic information-media outlet is credible because it updates correct information and support open and civil exchange of opinions. Work Cited Bergaoui, J & Erickson, J. In Honor of International Women’s Day, NOW stands with our Sisters in Saudi Arabia. Now. Web. Retrieved on 18th March, 2015: http://now.org/blog/in-honor-of-international-womens-day-now-stands-with-our-sisters-in-saudi-arabia/ NOW. Our Issues. Now.org.Web. Retrieved on 18th March, 2015: http://now.org/about/our-issues/ Read More