Good Moral Values

[dew7]

I heard things are going okay even in Iraq but that we hear only the bad stuff from the media here in the US because that is what sells.

[Say]

I believe it's a bit dramatic that you all claim to say that everything is bad news, I do read the newspaper and even though 70% of the news are about politics, socials, last minute events and such (mostly not quite positive) the rest 30% of it I do get to read some good news about medicine advance, technology advances, among other good things. OBVIOUSLY, if you just read headlines you willl see whatever (mostly bad event) just may have shocked the world recently, that's how it goes.

Im actually not surprised, It's nothing new as Alex says, I guess I dont expect any better perhaps? but IMHO whatever journalism tends to be focused on its completly random to whatever it may apply to morals, it would strive the most into ethics of professionalism, which none of us is a journalist or someone related to that, so it's a bit one sided and biased I would say.

[Say]

btw in case I didnt quite make that statement clear, I dont want politic discussion going on around here or it will get locked.

[Drunken Chinchilla]

btw in case I didnt quite make that statement clear, I dont want politic discussion going on around here or it will get locked.

Hehe darn, beat me to it!

Yeah I think as Say said we're only commenting from what we see and read, not from an inside view so although it may seem that "only bad news sells" there must be some kind of limit and ethical process involved in just HOW much bad news is published in ratio to good...maybe?

[dew7]

Makes sense, Jeysie but I really hope journalists won't sensationalize news too much in the future because then I will have to question whether any news I hear is true.

[Yonkey]

Makes sense, Jeysie but I really hope journalists won't sensationalize news too much in the future because then I will have to question whether any news I hear is true.

Heh, I'd be questioning it right now.  I don't think there is such thing as an unbiased interpretation of the news.  Someone could report on a story, but based on the footage used and emphasis on words, you end up believing one side more than another.

I'd say the only truly objective way to look at things is in a court room, where both sides present their case, the facts and testimony.  It's up to the judge or jury to decide whether or not it is true.

[dew7]

I think it is more fair to have juries in trials because then you have to get people to decide on what is true and false.  Unfortuantely, many people in the US do not want to serve on juries because they see themselves as to valuable to their companies or vice versa and do not want to take a pay cut.  Finally, they may risk getting fired even though it is illegal companies can sometimes find another reason to let this person go even though serving on a jury for a long time was the real reason.  Grrrr!  Not fair I say!

(Finally my level is higher :>)

[racx_00]

I dont like Jury Duty , hope it never happens to me

[Jael]

Sad thing for me is, I'd love to serve on a jury at least once (just to see what it's like), but probably won't be able too . Oh well.

[Jeysie]

Your best bet on the news is just to try to sample as many different news outlets as possible, both liberal and conservative, domestic and foreign, and try to come up with your own balance from the info. The BBC gets touted a lot.

As for Jury Duty... I wouldn't mind it for the job aspect (heck, it'd probably pay me better than my real job ), but I don't have enough confidence in myself to be able to properly weigh the evidence and present a fair verdict. I've always been horrible at "detective" sort of stuff.

Peace & Luv, Liz

[B'rrr]

i would never want to be a Jury (and luckily i don't have to in the netherlands) cuz it is not my place to judge about others ; \

[Johnmichael]

If you dont want to be on a jury just tell them your racist towards all religions and races.

[B'rrr]

hahahha, yeah, guess that would help   ...but it would be a lie, so i rather don't say that. but can't you just say that you don't want to?? (ie. in the netherlands we don't have a jury so i have no idea about that)

[Johnmichael]

Nah you cant just say "I dont feel like it" your pretty much forced too.

[Jeysie]

Yep, if picked for Jury Duty you're legally obligated to show up for consideration. And if after questioning you, one of the lawyers wants you on a jury, well, you're stuck.

There's probably some exceptions for certain kinds of jobs and medical conditions and such, but the average person is stuck.

Peace & Luv, Liz

[Louisiana Night]

in the netherlands we don't have a jury so i have no idea about that

What do you do if someone steals something, in the Netherlands(as in, do the government employess decide if he stole it)?

[Jeysie]

I'd be curious how criminal and civil trials in general are handled in the Netherlands.

Maybe all of their trials there are ones where the judge gives the verdict instead of a jury. (As opposed to here in the US, which has both judge and jury trials.)

Peace & Luv, Liz

[Yonkey]

Heh, we actually rented a movie last weekend called "Runaway Jury" (I think it's a New Release).  It was really good, and actually addresses a bunch of stuff discussed here too!    

[dew7]

Thanks, Neil!  Maybe I will rent the movie someday.  
:>

[Storm]

We don't have jury trials in Israel either. All verdicts are passed by a judge, or a few judges in the higher courts.
I've always wondered about jury trials. Do the jurors have to reach a unanimous verdict? What if they don't, do they start everything over again?