Occupation blues
Caitlin Curran is the second U.S. journalist fired for joining the Occupy protests, although she claims she held up a protest sign as part of a reporting exercise. Lisa Simeone, host of an opera program on NPR, was fired earlier, despite her argument that opera is removed enough from current events that civic participation isn’t a conflict of interest. The ‘journalist-activist’ is a leading figure in democratic struggles and popular movements around the world – but these two cases quickly pushed the limits within the current North American context.
Meanwhile, commentator Shannon Rupp notes the irony of a ‘Big Media’ call-out for citizen journalists – including the bigger irony that some occupiers will likely respond, providing free content to the corporations they protest against. Nick Fillmore argues that if corporate media isn’t giving protestors a fair hearing, the answer is stepped-up support for independent media. Finally, David Carr asks wage-slaving journos: why not occupy newsrooms?
Anybody bring a tent? When does the drum circle start?
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Patricia W. Elliott is a magazine journalist and assistant professor at the School of Journalism, University of Regina. You can visit her at patriciaelliott.ca.