J-Links for Aug. 9: The Star on journalistic ethical breaches; Kai Nagata on Ethical Oil parody video; 2012 a “bloody” year for journos

In Canadian media:

Star reporter on plagiarizing and fabricating in journalism

After The New Yorker writer Jonah Lehrer was criticized for repurposing his own work he was caught for fabricating Bob Dylan quotes in his bestselling book. Toronto Star’s entertainment reporter Greg Quill reminds readers of numerous other high profile journalistic ethical missteps and what they are doing for the credibility of the journalism industry.

One journo’s thoughts on Conrad Black

International journalism educator and media critic Marc Edge shares his views on Conrad Black and his Order of Canada, giving insight into Black’s history before and after his charges and the way the media mogul is portrayed internationally.

Interview with Ethical Oil parody video creator

Journalist and documentary filmmaker Kai Nagata and a few others created “Ethical Oil: the Puppet Rap” — a parody video in response to CBC Power and Politics host Evan Solomon’s infamous interview with then Ethical Oil spokesperson Kathryn Marshall. The Vancouver Observer’s Christine Leclerc interviews Nagata about everything from the creation of the video and thoughts on environmental reporting to Ezra Levant and Muppet characters.

In international media:

2012 a “bloody period” for journalists so far

This year has been called “one of the bloodiest periods of recent times” for journalists. At least 70 journalists and support staff have been killed in the first half of 2012 according to research by Cardiff School of Journalism in the UK. Fifteen journalists were killed in Syria alone in a five-month span.

Today’s read:

How good is Canada’s bilingual service in airports? “Anonymous agents” will find out

Undercover government-contracted observers called “anonymous agents” will pose as travellers in eight airports across Canada taking notes on the bilingual service in the country starting this fall. Although not all employees of business and services in airports have to be bilingual by law, one or two bilingual employees must be on staff at all times.

Correction: A previous version of this article had a misspelling in the headline. The Toronto Star commented on ethical breaches, not ethical pants worn by equestrians (breeches). We regret the error and any confusion this may have caused.