One of biggest Web news concerns the relationship forged between MSNBC and the Breaking News twitter feed. KJ Mullins goes beyond the press release to not only explain how MSNBC is taking over the highly-trafficked Twitter feed, but also solicits quotes from a BNO co-founder. He told KJ a few things other journalists didn’t include. Great special effort, KJ!
Curious to find out why consumer confidence is so low? Carol Forsloff parses some numbers and writes about the lack of trust pervading our culture. She also interviews a woman who exemplifies that company-consumer distrust. Take time to read this 1,400-worder because it offers insight into an issue that will continue to make headlines.
“Wildlife in the city: Downtown Toronto visited by deer.” A powerful headline by an intrepid Digital Journalist, Bart B. Van Bockstaele. He films exquisite video of a deer caught in downtown Toronto, a truly rare sighting. In the article, he writes on what occurred, and how the police eventually took down the animal. The video showcases Bart’s true citizen media spirit, and we applaud his on-the-ground reportage.
A selection of other notable stories include:
• Philippines: Death toll reaches 47 in Mindanao massacre by Leo Reyes: In a shocking story, Leo tells us about the horrific massacre in the Philippines that led to the death of more than 47 people, including journalists. He describes the political undercurrent behind this attack, and gives us pause as we think about those who have fallen.
• Europe’s first President calls for Euro tax, Euro identity by Andrew Moran: “Europe’s newly selected President Herman Van Rompuy is pushing for a new European tax.” So begins Andrew’s article on what the new European president is proposing — a European version of the Tobin-Tax, which is a tax on financial transactions. Do you think it’s a good idea?
• Poll: Most Americans opposed to Democrats’ health care bills by Michael Krebs: The health care divide continues to rage across the U.S. In this article, we are treated to a poll showing how most Americans are opposed to the Democrat proposal. The Rasmussen poll found: “Nearly four times as many (60%) believe the plan will increase health care costs. Most (54%) also believe passage of the plan will hurt the quality of care.”
• Palin says Canada should dismantle public healthcare system by Kevin Jess: Who would’ve thought a throwaway statement by Palin would cause such a firestorm of a reaction? Kevin informs us about a Canadian comedian who infiltrated a Palin book signing to ask her about Canada’s health care system, and the ex-governor “told us to keep the faith, something like that, and said we’re all trying for the same thing.” The same thing? Dismantling the public health care system. Ouch.
• Facebook Photos Cost Canadian Woman Sickness Benefits by Chris Dade: Watch what you put on Facebook. That’s the mini-lesson in this story about a Canadian woman denied benefits because she posted photos on Facebook showing her looking relatively healthy after she applied for sickness benefits. The lawyer acting on behalf of the client states, “She’s in a fragile position to begin with and this has certainly not helped her recovery.”
• McDonald’s changing its logo in Europe by Maciej Lewandowski: Looks like the hamburger-slinger is going eco-friendly, changing its logo in Europe from yellow to green. As Maciej writes: “The first German franchises with re-designed logos will be newly built, including a ‘flagship’ restaurant in the Munich airport.” Is McDonald’s for real or is this just marketing spin?
• Google Will Not Remove Racially Offensive Image of Michelle Obama by Chris Dade: Google apologized but it won’t remove a search result for “Michelle Obama” that displays a Photoshopped image of the First Lady with a monkey face. As Chris explains, “Google insists that receiving a complaint about an image would not be sufficient to ensure its removal.” Should Google remove it or would that cause a slippery slope?
• Whose Name Will Come First in Pacquiao-Mayweather Fight Billing? by Leo Reyes: Now that the Pacquiao-Cotto fight is history, what’s next? Leo talks about the upcoming Pacquiao-Mayweather match, yet to be confirmed, and asks who should get top billing in the title. Maybe it should be Mayweather-Pacquiao? Check out some illuminating comments from Leo and another Digitaljournal.com boxing fanatic, Jay Hova.
