[Foundation-l] David Shankbone in Israel

Wed Dec 19 16:27:28 UTC 2007

Agreed. The tone is clearly not one of an article, but this type of
journal or blog is not uncommon for newspapers now. The NY Times
publishes many blogs, and more than a few 'Reporters Notebook' columns
by reporters who are not generally columnists. I think the difference
is that they do it to appeal to a broader base, particularly online,
after they have already long mastered the production of regular news
items. Gerard points out that there are 4 to 14 news items - it might
be wise to build a reputation of standard, high quality journalism
first. There is a proliferation of blogs in the world these days.
Still, if Wikinews reporters enjoy and get the opportunity to do this
kind of work I see no issue - as long as it is plainly noted as a
non-news piece in the header. (Regarding the criticism of bringing in
the COO issue - if I were editing that column, I would've cut it out).

Nathan

On Dec 19, 2007 11:16 AM, GerardM <gerard.meijssen at gmail.com> wrote:
> Hoi,
> When existing policies do not work, change the policies.
> Thanks,
>      GerardM
>
>
> On Dec 19, 2007 2:48 PM, <wikinewssvt at optonline.net> wrote:
>
> > In my opinion, the first-hand story-telling nature of this article, is a
> > clear violation of WN:NPOV which is not just a Wikinews policy, but also a
> > Foundation issue (http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Neutral_point_of_view).
> >
> > Don't get me wrong, it is great journalism, which could prove to be a coup
> > for Wikinews, raising its profile. However, it is incongruent with existing
> > policies.
> >
> > Ultimately, I fear that allowing this may be like opening Pandora's box.
> >
> > Sincerely,
> > SVTCobra
> > (http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/User:SVTCobra)
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Brian McNeil
> > Date: Wednesday, December 19, 2007 5:09 am
> > Subject: [Foundation-l] David Shankbone in Israel
> > To: 'Wikimedia Foundation Mailing List'
> > Cc: David Shankbone
> >
> > > David Shankbone's first report from Israel
> > > (
> > http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Israel_Journal:_The_Holy_Land_has_an_image_prob
> > > lem) has provoked a bit of controversy. One reaction I got was
> > > "why the
> > > segue into the COO issue?" It annoys me to see that the MSM are
> > > now picking
> > > this up (the COO issue) and whilst The Register broke the story
> > > I don't
> > > think they did anything beyond fact-check what their source told them.
> > > Details from Wikinews' investigation have been lifted and
> > > written into
> > > recent coverage of the issue, we did check the Reg. story and we
> > > found more
> > > - including bankruptcy proceedings (PACER will give you a list
> > > of the
> > > creditors).
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Anyway, back to David in Israel, and I assume a fair number of
> > > people are
> > > aware this is an expenses-paid trip where the Israeli government
> > > and friends
> > > are footing the bill. David's first piece seeks to say "here is the
> > > stereotype, but that's not what I'm here for". If you read the
> > > talk you'll
> > > see we have some people think you can't do any story about
> > > Israel without
> > > going "OMG! Israel-Palestine! Car bombs! Terrorists! Human rights
> > > violations! Israeli oppression!". I agree with David's argument
> > > that this is
> > > like saying every coverage of the U.S. should have an aside
> > > about Camp Delta
> > > in Guantanamo - and I *know* people who'd do that too - we've
> > > had to ban
> > > idiots like that from Wikinews in the past.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > I'd like people on the list to read this with a critical eye and
> > > see what
> > > they think about Wikinews developing policies and structure to
> > > allow this
> > > sort of reporting. Keep any eye out for David's forthcoming
> > > reports. The
> > > indications I have from private email are that they're keeping their
> > > journalist guests busy about 12-14 hours a day and if they don't have
> > > breakfast with Israeli technologists it's probably the only meal
> > > of the day
> > > they're getting off the job. Not a holiday by any means.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Brian McNeil
> > >
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