Category: Information Ethics

Glenn Greenwald on Bush Administration Attacks on the Free Press

by RoryLitwin

Glenn Greenwald, in “A ‘Pulitzer Prize for Treason,’” talks about the Bush Administration’s attempts to weaken investigative reporting through “criminalizing its basic functions.” Their interest is in maintaining a high level of secrecy and controlling public perceptions – hiding the truth. Greenwald talks about how their public spin on these efforts makes cynical use of … Read more Glenn Greenwald on Bush Administration Attacks on the Free Press

Government wants first crack at late journalist’s papers

by RoryLitwin

George Washington U. to Receive Jack Anderson’s Papers — but FBI Wants to See Them First By Scott Carlson Chronicle of Higher Ed, April 18th, 2006 During his life and career as a muckraking journalist in Washington, Jack Anderson cultivated secret sources throughout the halls of government — sources who passed on information that allowed … Read more Government wants first crack at late journalist’s papers

On Not Revising the ALA Code of Ethics: an Alternate Proposal

by RoryLitwin

By John Buschman, Library Philosophy and Practice Vol. 8, No. 2 (Spring 2006) The American Library Association (ALA) Committee on Professional Ethics is undertaking a several-year review of the Code of Ethics, nominally for reasons stated in various Annual Conference announcements: “Relevant or relic? Does [it] live up to the challenges of the new millennium?” … Read more On Not Revising the ALA Code of Ethics: an Alternate Proposal

Fear & Favor 2005?¢‚Ǩ‚ÄùFAIR’s Sixth Annual Report

by RoryLitwin

From the March/April 2006 edition of FAIR‘s Extra!, “Fear & Favor 2005?¢‚Ǩ‚ÄùFAIR’s Sixth Annual Report” gives an informative run-down on how the news media was compromised by money last year. Important reading for an understanding of the latest developments in media monopoly and for getting a good reminder of how our “free press” is constrained … Read more Fear & Favor 2005?¢‚Ǩ‚ÄùFAIR’s Sixth Annual Report

Information Literacy versus “The Librarian’s Stamp of Approval”

by RoryLitwin

Ten years ago, in the Spring of 1996, I was learning of my acceptance to library school and introducing myself to the world-expanding wonders of the internet. (I intend that sentence to be read without irony, as I can recall clearly what a revelation it was when I first browsed the web, sent and read … Read more Information Literacy versus “The Librarian’s Stamp of Approval”

Web action in solidarity with French students

by RoryLitwin

From March 16th (yesterday) through midnight tonight (European time) there is a global electronic political action in support of French students, who are presently on strike in protest of their government’s new labor rules, which support precarious employment conditions that French students view as a threat to their futures. The strike and the demonstrations, which … Read more Web action in solidarity with French students

The Information Destruction Leadership Circle

by RoryLitwin

We generally have a pretty good idea of the type of person who becomes a librarian and the values that we share. I am wondering, just wondering, what kind of person enters the leadership circle of the world of information destruction. What values and traits lead a person into that particular profession? I’m not going … Read more The Information Destruction Leadership Circle