J-Source

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…

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.