A blogger shines when news media get it wrong [MSM dinosaurs alert!!]

Christian Science Monitor ^ | 8/9/06 | Randy Dotinga

[Enchante]

Mr. Johnson, one of the most influential, popular, and disliked political bloggers in the United States, says his site offers an "alternative filter": The news comes in and something approaching the truth comes out. Critics, however, say he has an agenda of his own - one that's anti-Muslim, pro-Israel, and full of hate.

How did this 50-something computer programmer and Web designer turn into an Internet celebrity, sought out by CNN and regularly roasted by liberal critics? The answer lies in expertise, diligence, and imagination.

This week, his website - littlegreenfootballs.com - is attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors, thanks to his Reuters exclusive. (The origin of the site's unusual name is a secret.)

Armed with a tip from a reader, Johnson was apparently the first person to prove that an Aug. 5 Reuters photo of Beirut after an air attack had been faked.

Johnson revealed how images of buildings and smoke had been copied to other parts of the photo, apparently with the help of software. The changes enhanced the smoke above the city, making the photo more vivid.

Reuters retracted the photo and 919 others by freelance Lebanese photographer Adnan Hajj, including a second doctored one.

To Johnson, Reuters was not an unwitting victim. Instead, he sees media bias at work. "Sometimes there are agendas at work, and it's my job to counter those agendas," he says in a phone interview.

[Enchante]

This is just the tip of fraud-berg as far as Reuters and MSM complicity in peddling fake, "enhanced", and staged photos..... too bad author of the CSM piece hasn't given credit Freepers!!

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1678642/posts?page=58#58

[SJackson]

If you'd like to be on this middle east/political ping list, please FR mail me.

High Volume. Articles on Israel can also be found by clicking on the Topic or Keyword Israel.

also Keywords 2006israelwar or WOT [War on Terror]

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[sgtbono2002]

Critics, however, say he has an agenda of his own - one that's anti-Muslim, pro-Israel, and full of hate.
his agenda sonds a lot like mione except for the hate part. The only people I hate are those who mean to destroy my way of life My kids, and my country. Not necessarrily in that order.

[BikerGold]

This blogger ain't no MySpace or YouTube; unfortunately, just a grain of sand in the Mojave...

[Enchante]

"Critics, however, say he has an agenda of his own - one that's anti-Muslim, pro-Israel, and full of hate."

Yeah, and when would we ever see the MSM use an equivalent expression about some jihad-loving leftist reporter: "critics, however, say that he has an agenda of his own - one that's anti-Jew, pro-jihad, and full of hate."

We'll never see that kind of statement about all the pro-jihad smear merchants in the LSM.............

[hoosierham]

The evidence generally is that Islam enslaves,kills, and destroys ;why would any sane person be pro-death?

[The Electrician]

Critics, however, say he has an agenda of his own - one that's anti-Muslim, pro-Israel, and full of hate.

. . .

sought out by CNN and regularly roasted by liberal critics

The author has unwittingly revealed that so many liberals equate being pro-Israel with being full of hate, when the opposite is surely the case. But we've known that all along...

[humblegunner]

Mr. Johnson, one of the most influential, popular, and disliked political bloggers in the United States

LGF isn't a blog.

Niether is FR.

If this dude has a blog, let's see it. It isn't littlegreenfootballs.

[tang-soo]

I say the image manipulation is just part of the problem. Obviously this photographer is only one of many in his "profession" with an agenda. The larger problem, and one I'm sure existed well before digital technology, is where the lense gets pointed> What photo opportunties get passed because its not the story he wantes to tell? What photos end up on the developing floor for the same reason?

Then what decisions are made by the editors? How many times have we seen published photos of conservatives in a less-than-flattering light ie mouth open, grimacing wiuth an expression that makes them look angry, or a brief expression of confusion (probably asking a reporter "what are you talking about") that makes them look goofy.

I'm glad they got caught in this case, but the problem is much larger.

[Sofa King]

The "critics" were probably his coworkers.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Critics, however, say he has an agenda of his own - one that's anti-Muslim, pro-Israel, and full of hate. As opposed to pro-Muslim, anti-Israel, and full of lies AND hate against America?

[Enchante]

"As opposed to pro-Muslim, anti-Israel, and full of lies AND hate against America?"

That is what the LSM consider the default position, the norm..... it's only when you dare to challenge the leftist jihad-loving smear merchants that you can be characterized as "full of hate" by the LSM.............

[prion]

If this dude has a blog, let's see it. It isn't littlegreenfootballs.

Uh, yeah. LGF is a blog. FR isn't; it's more of a bulletin board. Drudge isn't; it's more of a portal.

[humblegunner]

Uh, yeah. LGF is a blog.

Yeah, I just went and checked it out.

Everything I had previously read about it seemed to indicate otherwise, it sounded like a forum (like FR) to me.

Pity it's just a blog.

Drudge is a good site to pick up some spyware.

Also Drudge is good if you enjoy reading stuff in ALL CAPS.

[Orange1998]

Have you notice Drudge site has titles when you click just refreshes the page, and naturally you hit it a few more times. I wonder if he is getting paid for the refresh hits.

[VOA]

bump

[humblegunner]

Have you notice Drudge site has titles when you click just refreshes the page

Nope.

I've been there about twice, decided it was crap and never returned.

[stinkerpot65]

"some are playing a gotcha game with media outlets, and want to make their point that the editing and fact-finding in a lot of newspapers are flawed and incompetent," says Kenny Irby, a former newspaper photographer and editor.

Breathtaking hypocrisy ...

[stinkerpot65]

irbyman@poynter.org

[Orange1998]

I wish I could have learned that back in my dating days. School of hard knocks here.