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Attempting to turn reports of sexual harassment allegations back on the media, the campaign for Republican presidential contender Herman Cain is targeting journalists by passing out a code of ethics offering guidelines on how to report stories.

On Sunday, Cain campaign spokesman J.D. Gordon emailed passages from the Society of Professional Journalist Code of Ethics that highlighted limiting the use of anonymous sources and evaluating their truthfulness and motives before allowing their use.

The code also offered a few reminders like removing arrogance from reporting, showing good taste, being accountable, not pandering to lurid curiosity, treating subjects of stories as reporters would like to be treated and exposing unethical behavior by fellow reporters.
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Ok.  Here are my questions:

1.  Is the media biased?  If so...how?
2. Does the media need reminders on how to do it's job?
3. Do you think Herman Cain sexually harassed these women?
4. Is it fair for them to bring these claims after supposedly receiving money to stay quiet?

4. What are your thoughts about Herman Cain's problem(s)?
5. Does the media try to drive political thought or influence elections in America?

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Originally Posted by Dennis Young:

1.  Is the media biased?  If so...how?

After all the debates/discussions we've had in here on this issue, you have to ask this question? ;-P

2. Does the media need reminders on how to do it's job?

I'd rephrase this to "does the media need reminders on what its job actually is?" - and the answer to both questions is "yes". The job of the news media is to report the news in an impartial and unbiased fashion to let people make up their minds about things themselves. If they don't do that, they shouldn't pretend that they do - and we shouldn't let them get away with pretending that they do.

3. Do you think Herman Cain sexually harassed these women?

Doesn't matter if he did or not, even if he's found innocent all ppl will remember are the accusations.

4. Is it fair for them to bring these claims after supposedly receiving money to stay quiet?

Is it fair to offer them money in order to stay quiet in the first place? I dunno about you, but as far as I remember that used to be called "bribery" and "hush money" and was illegal

4. What are your thoughts about Herman Cain's problem(s)?

Don't have any, haven't been following the Wacky Races this time around.

5. Does the media try to drive political thought or influence elections in America?

Yup. The media, big business, anyone with lots of money, they're all at it.

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Several things aggravate me about this.  One is that people accepted payment to stay quiet about this, and did so...until Cain decides to run for office some 15 years later.  Now all these accusations are oozing from the wood-works.  Seems that the women broke their contract (which most likely they had to sign).  

2nd (and more importantly imo), whenever someone accuses you of sexual harassment...there is no defense.  Even if it never happened, it doesnt matter.  Your reputation is ruined.  People will always whisper "there goes that guy who sexually harassed those women.  He's trash).  

(And unfortunately I'm speaking from experience here).  Women can ruin a career by spreading gossip and rumors.  And they know it.  And I believe that's what the attorney Gloria Allred is doing.  Also, she was asked in an interview with Sean Hannity why she didn’t lay the entire story of what allegedly happened between Cain and her client out on the table instead of essentially teasing that there is “more to come.”

Allred’s response: “Don’t you like surprises, Sean?”

Allred and her client are enjoying this!  Yet still there is no proof.

Is it fair to offer money to stay quiet in the first place?

Sometimes.  Its a practice that is done all the time all over the world.  Usually in settlement agreements and there is nothing unlawful about that.

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As for the media being biased...what do you think about the possibility of media moguls deliberately influencing elections?

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Originally Posted by Dennis Young:
As for the media being biased...what do you think about the possibility of media moguls deliberately influencing elections?

I think its clear that Murdoch has routinely employed his corporation to back political movement in different countries (Republicans in the US, now Conservatives in the UK, etc).  One doesn't need to watch MSNBC very long to determine which team they're rooting for.  That said, I imagine that these accusations where fostered by another Republican and the media is simply playing them up to boost ratings.

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Personally it bothers me.  I think that ALL news media ought to have ethics and standards and police itself.  They ALL ought to strive to be unbiased and yes, truly fair and balanced.  FOX News is often criticized for this and its probably a fair criticism.  But usually the accusations are coming from other news outlets that are (IMO) even more biased in their own reporting.

Even our local newspaper in our small Bible belt town leans left.  The opinions and editorials are decidedly left wing.  And I often wondered why since all the employees and 90% of its readers vote conservative.

Then it hit me.  Our local newspaper is owned by the NY Times.