Thursday, March 11, 2010

Inquiring Minds Want To Know




I have an inquiring mind, so this is what I want to know. Why is the National Enquirer being considered for The Pulitzer Prize? In fact, they are now on the short list for this most prestigious journalistic award. You heard me right, they could win. I saw it on The View this morning, and here are two pictures I snapped. Their guest was the editor-in-chief of the Enquirer, Barney Levine. Here he is shaking hands with Barbara Walters. She informed him that his publication had written a scandalously untrue story about her, and she scolded him for it. She then asked why on earth The Enquirer should be considered along with serious journalists for this coveted award. The reason is this: it is for being the first to break the Tiger Woods and John Edwards scandals. But their methods are questionable. You see, The Enquirer practices what is called "checkbook journalism", meaning that they pay their sources for stories. Here is what Mr. Levine said: they take on stories that are so controversial that the regular media run from them, so they are true mavericks, bravely going where the others won't! They also use lie detectors, the very same ones that the F.B.I uses! Who knew? While it's true that the Enquirer has uncovered many true scandals, they have also told many outright lies. And that's where it gets tricky. Someone once told me why their lies were so convincing. They always mixed in some truth. That way you can't separate the truth from the lies. So shouldn't character and journalistic ethics be considered in bestowing this award? Apparently the Pulitzer Prize committee don't really care about the many untruths if the truths are good enough.


"Do not spread false reports. do not help a wicked man by being a malicious witness."
"Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body." Exodus 23:1, Eph. 4:25

6 comments:

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Gin, I do NOT like that publication. Yes---I had heard that they might win.. It's almost as bad as Obama winning the Nobel... Makes me feel alot less respectful of the Nobel and Pulitzer... GADS!!!!

We had a wonderful Birthday celebration and got home today!!! I'll post a blog tomorrow morning.
Hugs,
Betsy

George said...

I have to admit that my opinion on the true stories they've uncovered (John Edwards and Tiger Woods) is 'Who Cares?'. What both men did was wrong, but I'm not sure it deserved to be front page news for weeks. Prizes used to mean something -- I don't think they do any more.

MadSnapper said...

I did not see this and am not shocked since nothing that could possibly happens shocks me any more. the news is so full of shock value, it has become not a shock any more. I copied this from your post
Someone once told me why their lies were so convincing. They always mixed in some truth.
the first thing I thought when i read it, is this about our Representives? YEP sure could be

Glenda said...

Aren't you glad that The Truth never changes and that one day everyone will bow at His feet! And the prize we believers receive on that day will be the REAL thing!! We have to hang on to that in these days when absolute truth is no longer part of the belief system of so many.

Stephanie V said...

I agree with Betsy: the award is cheapened by this kind of foolishness. Something that's only fit to be cut up and put on the stack in the outhouse doesn't deserve a Pulitzer. Just my opinion.

SquirrelQueen said...

The Enquirer? Tiger Woods? How can the Pulitzer committee even consider such trash?

I worked for a short time as a journalist and the Pulitzer was considered the ultimate prize, something for a serious writer to aspire to when writing. If they win it will be a tragedy.

The Big Cat

 Not to be outdone by that upstart The Big Cow and his friends, the Big Cat bought a new Easter bonnet! It is purrrfectly lovely! And while ...