Plagiarism

After reading Poynter's debate I can definitely see the clear conflict regarding Missourian article.

I definitely agree with Poynter's agrument, but unlike Poynter I believe there IS such a thing as unintentional plagiarsm. I know as a journalism student I am still learning many things about what I can and cannot do, what is ethical, and what not. So to me although I feel there should be some punishment as this was clearly wrongdoing, I believe it is an eye opening to many professors and institutions that there is still some miscommunication and disjoint in teaching students the role of a GOOD journalist.

However, I do think it was important for them to address the matter and set an example for other journalism students to follow because credibility is fragile. If they had left the matter alone, it would have shown students that they too can get away with doing it too.

Reading the last story, in response to the Poynter article, I felt compelled to support John Merril's side of the story. The media has glorified this story and ruined his reputation as a journalist without considering the other sides of the story. The fact that he has been a respectable and credible journalist for the paper for many years lends evidence to the fact that he was simply being careless.

In truth how many times have we been careless in our lives? Thousands of times, thats how we loose our keys, fall on ice, or in this case, make wrong decisions. So to me I agree with Miller that this instance may not have been necessarily unethical but rather technical.

I'm not really sure if the Missourian made the right choice to fire Miller, but what I do know is I'm sure this a common practice and if he should get fired, so should many others.

In addition to this I believe if he had no recognized his mistake and apologized, it would also have been a very different story. By doing so he recognizes his stature as a jounalist and that one must be completely honest to their audience. By admitting and apologizing for his faults, Miller took appropriate and professional action.

Although this is all very complicared, this story scared me more than anything. We as journalists hold a lot of power. And to be honest if I had not been overlyconscious and wary of this, I probably would have made the same mistake somewhere down the road unknowingly. Obviously, I am now aware of what can happen, and will never plagiarize, but to be honest I hadn't known that what Miller did was plagiraism. In fact, I have never done it simply because I didn't really know 100 percent if it was acceptable or not so I never did it because I would never risk that. So I'm glad I know now.

It's too bad this had to happen, but it just goes to show that you have to be on your feet constantly as a journalist, and you can't take short cuts. I'm sure many people learned their lesson after reading this.

A Mosh Posh Closure

According to Fox News (yes I don't discriminate my news sources!!) Mitt Romney will deliver a speech tommorrow on religions place in U.S. politics. Apparently this is his first attempt at confronting questions about his Mormon faith as he is currently "trying to convince voters Mormonism is not a reason to avoid his candidacy."

His speech titled "Faith in America" should be a huge make or break moment for his Presidential Republican nomination. Although his campaign stresses the fact that the speech is NOT a response to slipping in the polls, Romney said it is an issue he is forced to confront.

Although to many people this may not seem like a big deal, it will in large part determine his loyalties and the number of supporters. However, if it turns into just another campaign speech, it will backfire on his ability to gain voters and solifiy his position as a candidate for the White House. Goodluck to him!

In other news Hilary Clinton's presidential campaign coordinator in Iowa has now resigned. After forwarding a chain e-mail that suggested Democratic nominee Barack Obama was a "Muslim who wanted to destroy the United States by being elected to its highest office."

This was very disturbing to me. Obama is a member of the United Church of Christ and has NEVER been a Muslim. I am very happy though that Clinton's campaign manager asked for her resignation immediately. She said "There is no place in our campaign, or any campaign, for this kind of politics."

Although this is very upsetting that people will go so low so as to stoop and use slander in such a degrading way, I am glad someone agrees in "clean politics" and righteously weeded out the unethical and dirty work going on behind the scene. There is no need for it. And for someone to try to damage another's reputation in such a way is completely appalling. It reminds me that some members of our country have no class.
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5j4w4BzRKRNaOdwsYTZ2LN9pzYDIwD8TBLQA80

Switching gears back to Republican matters... according to an LA Times poll, Rudolph Giuliani is barely keeping his lead with Mike Huckabee. Rudy's once dominant lead has been dramatically shortened in recent weeks.

People are speculating that the reason for the surge is the fact that social conservative voters in the Republican base have been looking for a candidate to rally behind all year, and they may have found their man.

Giuliani is currently leading with 23 percent, while Huckabee still trails by 17 percent. However according to News Day, just two months ago "Huckabee was a little more than a blur in Giuliani's rearview mirror."

Fred Thompson won 14 percent, John McCain has 11 percent and Mitt Romney is at 9 percent. It appears that no one is out of this race!!

After tracking the Presidential Campaign this past fall, for nearly 15 weeks, alot has developed. Polls have shifted reminding us that ANYTHING can happen. And more than that, scandals are erupting daily reminding us that as the Race continues, the politics will continue to get dirtier and dirtier.

Only time will tell what will happen with the White House. Goodluck everyone!