The Deepwater Horizon Oil Drilling - 1602 Words

Five years have passed since the horrific explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig that led to the tragic end to the lives of eleven men and critically injured seventeen. 3.19 million gallons of crude oil and natural gas was leaked in to the Gulf of Mexico. Though there were countless efforts made to clean the oil out of the water, the environment and even the people in the surrounded areas are still being greatly affected by the spill both financially. The Deepwater horizon rig, owned by Transocean, an offshore-oil-drilling company that was leased by the BP oil company was located in the Macondo oil prospect in the Mississippi canyon. On April 20, 2010 Natural gas broke through a poorly constructed concrete core and traveled up to the platform where, once ignited, ruptured into an explosion. There were eleven fatalities and seventeen of the rigs workers were injured. Due to a malfunction in the rigs blowout preventer, which is supposed to close the oil channel, oil was spilled dir ectly into the Gulf of Mexico when the rig capsized and sank, rupturing a riser. â€Å"A 2014 report by the U.S. Chemical Safety Board claimed that the blind shear rams,† giant blades that are supposed to cut through the pipe to help seal it, â€Å"had activated sooner than previously thought and may have actually punctured the pipe† (Britannica, 2015) Though many attempts were made to seal the well, it was not successfully sealed until September 19. Meaning oil was leaking into the waters of the Gulf ofShow MoreRelatedThe Deepwater Horizon Is An Oil Drilling Rig1661 Words   |  7 PagesThe Deepwater Horizon is an oil drilling rig that was built in South Korea by Hyundai Heavy Industries in 2001. The rig was a massive mobile drill as it was measured to be â€Å"396 by 256 feet† (Report). Additionally, it was considered to be an exploratory rig, not an actual excavator rig. The rig was commissioned to Transocean which later leased it to British Petroleum, an oi l and gas company. The oil rig was once well known as â€Å"it set the world record for the deepest oil and gas well †¦ 35,055 feet†Read MoreThe Deepwater Horizon Oil Drilling Rig1480 Words   |  6 PagesThe Deepwater Horizon oil drilling rig caught fire on April 20, 2010, exploring and sinking after some days. The explosion was as a result of the equipment failure, perhaps the blowout protector, and the emerging explosion and fire killed 11 people, injuring others. The aftermath of the explosion became the largest issue in the US, estimated to surpass 1989 Exxon Valdez spill. The environmental contamination was huge, greatly impacting marine life in the Gulf of Mexico and surrounding beaches ofRead MoreOffshore Oil Drilling and the Deepwater Horizon Spill of the Gulf of Mexico1591 Words   |  7 PagesOil is a very important fossil fuel that is used for various sources of energy. Oil supplies power to industries, fuel for transportation, heat for buildings, and provi des raw material for plastics, paints, textiles, and other materials (hybrid cars). To access this fossil fuel, oil drilling is used. Land-based oil drilling became less productive and as the global stipulation for energy increased, technology, law, and geology impacts stepped in and pushed the exploration of oil away from shores (CITE)Read MoreCurrent Ethical Issues on Oil Spill1482 Words   |  6 Pagesconsumptions of oil have led to increased prices of gasoline whereby alternative forms of energy production are sought. With this in mind, offshore drilling can be a viable option for satiating the need of oil and also to boost the economy of the nation. In this report, I am going to discuss how the current Deepwater Horizon rig explosion has led to disastrous oil spill into the Gulf of Mexico causing environmental problems and also discuss how the oil spill if resolved and with safe and secure drilling techniquesRead MoreEthical Dilemma with the Bp Oil Spill1125 Words   |  5 P agesThe BP oil spill, more famously referred to as the Deepwater Horizon Spill, occurred in 2010 in the Gulf of Mexico and flowed unmitigated for as long as 3 months. The BP oil spill has fared as the largest marine oil spill ever confronted in the history of the petroleum industry. The oil spill on the 20th of April 2010 was primarily the result of a gas release followed by an explosion in the Deepwater Horizon oil rig, in the Gulf of Mexico, established on the Mocando exploration well designed forRead More The Oil Spill is Affecting Animals, but What About the Government?1204 Words   |  5 Pagesreliant on fossil fuels such as oil for energy. Oil fuels our car, warms our homes, generates our electricity, and creates a myriad of goods including everything that contains plastic. In our global economy, oil must be transported great distances to reach markets throughout the world. With seemingly increasing frequency, these journeys sometimes end in accidents that result in oil being spilled into the ocean. The most devastating oil spill, The Deepwater Horizon oil spill, occurred on April twentiethRead MoreThe Spill Of The Deepwater Horizon1188 Words   |  5 Pagesthe Deepwater Horizon experienced an explosive blowout on a rig located in the Gulf of Mexico. The explosion was about 40 miles of the Louisiana coast. With the flow of gas leaking out, it caused the death of eleven workers on the rig. About two days later the rig sank, which caused quite a lot of damage to a pipeline that laid drawn-out through 5,000 feet of water. As a result, the oil begin pouring from the damaged pipes into the ocean nearby, at the incredible rate. The Deepwater Horizon was builtRead MoreBP ´s Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill of 2010 Essay1401 Words   |  6 Pagesoffshore oil spills in U.S. history, BP’s Deepwater Horizon explosion in 2010. This paper seeks to investigate closely the system and the reasons of failure, to answer the questions behind numerous studies on this accident, Is Deepwater Horizon explosion inevitable? and What can we do to avoid such accidents? Within the scope of Perrow’s normal accident theory, this paper aims to draw conclusions to the above questions and set forth recommendations to be considered in other similar oil drilling systemsRead MoreArgumentative Essay : Bp Oil Spill1558 Words   |  7 PagesArgumentative Essay: The BP Oil Spill Phillip Staton PHI 445 Personal Organizational Ethics Prof. Gloria Zuniga y Postigo February 29, 2016 Argumentative Essay: The BP Oil Spill Introduction In 2010, BP’s Deepwater Horizon rig exploded, causing millions of barrels of crude oil to be leaked out into the Gulf of Mexico. The extensive oil spill created a lot of pollution and far-reaching effects on the tourism industry. The resultant damage to marine wildlife such as fish will continue to be feltRead MoreThe Issue Facing Bp Pre Oil Spill1074 Words   |  5 PagesIntroduction On Tuesday, April 20, 2010 the Deepwater Horizon rig burned for 36 hours, combusting 700,00 gallons of oil leaving a trail of smoke over 30 miles long and spilling 53,000-62,000 barrels of oil into the Gulf per day from April 20 and July 15. As of 2010, the Deepwater Horizon disaster was the largest marine oil spill ever to occur in U.S. water. Oil was found on the shores of all five Gulf States and many birds, fish, and reptiles perished due to the oil spill (Ingersoll, 2011, p. 1-2; O’Conner

Mind, Body, Media Essay - 2819 Words

Mind, Body, Media It seems as though organized religion, specifically Christianity, has always reacted with hostility towards scientific advancements. Examples of the church’s animosity towards scientific discoveries that threatened their power, influence, and credibility plague the history books. During the Renaissance and Scientific Revolution many scientists were ostracized from the church for their theories and discoveries. For example, Giordono Bruno, a follower of the Hermetic tradition and an outspoken supporter of the Copernican theory, was summoned by the church to appear before an Inquisition whereby he was found guilty of blasphemy and condemned to death. He was burned at the stake in 1600 (Perry, 70). Galilei Galileo and†¦show more content†¦In this paper I will explain how science, specifically Artificial Intelligence, and the church have a future together. I will explore the social and political implications of each institution and establish their commonalties thereby ill ustrating that in their purest forms, A.I. and religion are not only compatible with each other, but also might prove to be meaningful, possibly even instrumental, in each other’s development. Science and religious faith seem irreconcilable because they are both attempting to uncover the ultimate question of humanity, ‘What is the meaning of existence?’ Each establishment has confronted this task using very different methods and, thus far, both have yielded very different answers. Some, however, see the two disciplines as complimentary. For instance, John Haught, a professor of theology at Georgetown University and the director of the university’s center for the Study of Science and Religion says, It’s a position that says, ‘Yes, it’s true science and religion are logically distinct and play by different rules, but that we simply can’t think about God the same way, after Darwin and Einstein and the big bang, as we did before. We don’t derive our sense of God through science, but we realize that science places constraints on what we can plausibly say about God. (Russell 12) He goes on to describe how religious followers can enhance their understanding of the Creator by using what science tells them about theShow MoreRelatedWomen and adolescent girls are exposed, daily, to the medias portrayal of perfect beauty. Being1600 Words   |  7 Pagesyoung girls portray their own bodies. This, in return, causes a drive for thinness which, ultimately, can ignite feelings of dissatisfaction which can cause eating disorders and poor health decisions. This epidemic has captivated many women and adolescents as they go to tremendous lengths to achieve what the media has defined as beautiful. Consequently, the media, and the distorted images they parade, is causing women and adolescents to become dissatisfied with their bodies. Women and adolescents girlsRead MoreThe s Study On Ideal Media Images989 Words   |  4 Pagesthe media have spread this disease that cause affected individuals to believe they are not good enough. Beauty has become defined by appearance and t he media refuses to see it as anything else. This twisting of our conception of what it takes to be beautiful has had a negative impact on our culture and lifestyles. Women and men both have to face these images and they either fight or succumb to the oppression. What we are up against is best defined by Harper and Tiggemann’s study on ideal media images:Read MoreThe Effect Media Has over a Womans Body Image Essay942 Words   |  4 Pages Today I’m going to talk about the Media and a women’s body image, and how the media could be harming you and your children. Have you ever read a magazine or watched TV and say wow I wish I look like her? The media sets out tons of images and videos of a way an average woman should look like when in reality what the media is showing is unrealistic goal to achieve. Whit the media showing off only one body image or what they would say â€Å"perfect,† body image they can cause serious problems mentally andRead MoreThink Of A Beautiful, Ten-Year-Old Girl Standing In The1281 Words   |  6 Pagesuse to eat. That beautiful little girl is just like every woman all over the world; she is pressured to by the media to have a â€Å"perfect body.’ Women all over the world are coerced by society to change the way they look. These women are beautiful just the way God made them, but society is trying to destroy that by making teens and women alike think believe they have to have a â€Å"perfect body.† This is caused by the way people idolize models such as Gigi Hadid, Kendall Jenner, and Heidi Klum. SocietyRead MoreMedia s Influence On Body Image1697 Words   |  7 Pages Ultra-thin models are plastered all over the media today, but have these influential sources thought of the negative outcomes that could change society forever? The notions represented by the media silently incline girls to conform to an ideal that is impossible to reach. Due to their malleable brains, adolescent female s are subjected to the image of a perfect body through media’s adverse influence of what a quintessential girl is supposed to look like and the permanent impact it has onRead MoreThe Influence of Mass Media on the Young Male Image Essay1645 Words   |  7 Pages Mass media creates a stereotype promoting an image of how a young man should act, appear, or resemble in todays society. The media has a great influence over what we view and hear as a society and it can have an effect especially on a younger men and the image that they want to portray. Moreover, the media has a lot to do with the image we perceived in our minds and young men are easily perusable by what they see or hear. With the media flooding negative influence, it builds up to having thisRead MoreImpact of Beauty in the Media on Young Women1586 Words   |  7 Pagessubconscious minds with consumer items and suggestive material. But how much of that impacts the mind of young adults? More specifically how doe s the constant incursion of beauty advertisements impact young women? Media, any form of mass communication- is one of the biggest factors in this widespread problem. Through the use of media, ideas, images, expectations of perfection is broadcasted throughout the country and on most occasions throughout the world. The portrayal of beauty in the media has contributedRead MoreGender Roles And Body Images The Minds Of Young Ladies And Men Of The Millennial Generation965 Words   |  4 Pagestoday’s society, concepts of gender roles and body images plague the minds of young ladies and men of the millennial generation. These are enforced by popular culture in song, video and magazines that are published. These roles and images are seen by and influence the minds of mainly young girls but not more popularly seen, young men. Magazines such as Cosmopolitan, Vogue and Sports Illustrated flaunt slim women and very muscular men with â€Å"perfect† bodies and hair on their co vers and give no thoughtRead MoreThe Effects Of Social Media On Women And Men947 Words   |  4 PagesSocial media is a big part in today’s society. Visual platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat deliver the tools that allow teens to earn approval for their appearance and compare themselves to others. People follow the biggest stars and models, but what are these celebrities really doing? Where girls are required to be slim and short, the ideal for boys and men is a well-muscled and ripped look. Today, women everywhere want to get that fit body, the flat stomach, and the thigh gapRead MoreHow Media Affect Peoples Subconscious Judgments1200 Words   |  5 PagesProfessor Jenelle Herman ESL 186 06 Dec 2016 How Media Affect People’s Subconscious Judgments Nowadays, society is growing and becoming more modern, so media take a significant role which has a big effect on people’s lives. Media are all the organizations, such as newspapers, magazines, radio, television, Internet, and more, that provide news and information to the public. The human subconscious mind is considered as information storage. Thus, media influence people’s subconscious daily through news

The Advance of Technology and Pollution Free Essays

Here is a quote that I believe tells the entire story of mankind†s existence: â€Å"Man’s long adventure with knowledge has, to a very marked degree, been a climb up the heat ladder†¦. Today the flames grow hotter in the furnaces†¦. The creature that crept furred through the glitter of blue glacial nights lives surrounded by the hiss of steam, the roar of engines, and the bubbling of vats†¦. We will write a custom essay sample on The Advance of Technology and Pollution or any similar topic only for you Order Now And he is himself a flame — a great, roaring, wasteful furnace devouring irreplaceable substances of the earth.† –Loren Eiseley, anthropologist and essayist (1907-1977), Man the Firemaker As this quote from Loren Eisely suggests the relationship between the advancement of technology and the increase in pollution has gone hand in hand throughout the ages of mankind. Humans are very much responsible for their actions and have and will continue to feel the impact of the carelessness that they have shown toward mother earth. Studies of temperature records preserved deep in the underground rocks show that the Earth has been gradually warming over at least the last 500 years. These studies, done by scientists in the US and Canada, show that the trend of the increase in climate has increased on an increasing pace during the 20th century, which was the warmest of the past five centuries. Since 1500, the Earth†s temperature has increased by about one degree Celsius, with eighty percent of that increase during the last century. In the northern hemisphere, the five-century long change has been 1.1 degrees, with 0.6 occurring since 1900. There have been numerous extreme changes in the climate throughout the world that have had astonishing effects on the people, wildlife, and environment. Many of these events have led to people having to vastly change their lifestyle or have to move out the area due to the fact that living conditions are unsafe. In the summer of 1998, Dallas, Texas recorded a deadly heat wave. Heat claimed more than 100 lives in the region, as temperatures were over 100 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 straight days. Waimea Bay, Hawaii is has also seen its share of misfortune. Along with costal development, sea levels have risen contributing to considerable beach loss over the past 90 years. In October of 1998, Hurricane Mitch dumped between three and six feet of rain within 48 hours over most of Central America. Mitch killed more than 10,000 people in mudslides and floods, triggered a cholera epidemic, and virtually wiped out the economies of Honduras and Nicaragua. Several days after the horrendous hurricane in Central America, a large meeting in Buenos Aires met at the fourth Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Many at the conference pointed to Hurricane Mitch as an example of the catastrophes that will await our world if we do not act immediately to reduce the emissions of carbon dioxide and other so called greenhouse gasses. Various experts blame many different sources of technological change and events for this vast change in temperature throughout the world. The fact is, not just one major event or area is the sole cause of this. Fossil fuels, which release carbon dioxide when burned, are used to generate electricity, heat and light homes and workplaces, power factories and run cars. Experts suggest that unless we reduce population growth and use of fossil fuels, the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will double by sometime in the middle of the next century. Starting in the mid-1700s, human activities began to alter the composition of the atmosphere. Vast supplies of charcoal, and later coal and oil, fed the growing fires of the Industrial Revolution. The carbon stored in these fuels was released to the air as carbon dioxide, which is a gas that traps heat in the atmosphere. Today, for every one of the more than 5.8 billion people on Earth, nearly six tons of carbon dioxide are spewed into the air annually. As a result of our activities, the atmospheric concentration of this heat-trapping gas has risen by more than 30 percent in the last 250 years. The future of Earth’s climate will depend partly on the buildup of heat-trapping gases, primarily carbon dioxide, in the atmosphere. One of the major problems of global warming is that it exists as an environmental issue only because of science. People can†t directly sense global warming, the way they can see a clear-cut forest or inhale the urban smog in their lungs. This is an enormous issue to overcome if anything is going to be done. New information is now being presented to the public†s eye everyday, giving them new and more accurate facts on such issues. People are starting to become aware of the consequences of their actions. However, even though the facts are present, very little is being done. Only in the most affected areas are people trying to fix the problem. It seems like no one really cares about it, until it happens to them. To me this seems like it could be the largest feat for us as humans to overcome in the prevention of man-made global warming. What sort of astronomical disaster must happen to get us to pay attention to what we are doing in our lives? Is it going to take a major flood across the US that destroys numerous states? What about miles of coastline to be taken by rising sea levels? These are the issues that scare me the most. I truly believe that something must be done, and it must be done now. Another large area of pollution due to technological advancement is water pollution. This pollution takes place by three different types of activities: agricultural, municipal, and industrial. The worst part of this pollution is the fact the actual pollution is a form called non-point source pollution. This is where the source of the actual pollution may be hard to identify and it possibly doesn†t even affect the areas around the point, but possibly downstream or scattered over a wide area. Due to this it makes the pollution extremely hard to regulate. The advancement in agricultural activities of the US and other developed countries, such as new and stronger types insecticides, herbicides, pesticides, along with the large-scale cattle and hog lots provide large amounts run-off. This run-off contains a high content of fertilizers, animal wastes, and silt which go in to the surface waters. This results in an increase in the nutrients in the water called eutrophication. Eutrophication causes rapid growth in algae and bacteria in the water. This is tragic to the fish and other things because the algae use up all of the oxygen in the water and the fish suffocate. The run-off of the silt causes water to become very unattractive for recreation and also covers up fish spawning sites. Many theories and ideas have been developed in an effort to help control the major productive source of these agricultural activities. The success or failure of any agricultural non-point source pollution control project depends on the participation of the many landowners and farm operators. These producers must install or utilize land-based treatments, or best management practices (BMPs), that minimize the movement of agricultural pollutants such as sediments, nutrients, and pesticides to water resources. One of such is organic farming. Organic farming avoids the use of pesticides and fertilizers. Another is to avoid large concentrations of animals, which can reduce nutrient pollution, and their waste can be used as fertilizer for crops. Also, other certain cropping methods can reduce the erosion of sediment from the land. As our municipal wants and needs advance, more, and more municipal pollution occurs. The salt from snow removal activities increases the cost of purification. As we consume more, we also throw more away, as the increase in landfills needed throughout the country has been rapidly increasing. These landfills allow large amounts of chemicals to enter into the ground water, which in turn also increases the cost of purification. Inadequate sewer water treatment facilities lead to the possible outbreak of enteric diseases. The last source of water pollution is that of the industrial activities. As the times change, so do that of the modern industry. Companies are always trying to find ways to decrease their costs, in turn to increase their profit margins. Many times these costs are converted into the pollution of water. Industrial pollution of water comes in many different shapes and forms. The chemicals that industries use get into the water supply by various means. These chemicals increase the existence of numerous diseases and the cost of the purification of the water for drinking. One of the sources of water pollution one rarely thinks of, as pollution, is one called thermal pollution. Thermal pollution is from the warm water discharges that an industry emits into various bodies of water. This kills coldwater fish and also increases the costs of water treatment. Overall, there is much to be done in this world in an effort to help control the increased pollution by technological advancement. In my opinion, I believe that the answers to the prevention in pollution are ironically a part of our technological advancement. As we learn of what types of things are really making a significant impact on the environment, we will be able to develop steps to counter the effects of the harmful pollutants that we are causing. How to cite The Advance of Technology and Pollution, Essay examples

Press Freedom Essay Example For Students

Press Freedom Essay From the moment she stepped foot outside, Princess Diana of Whales had camera lenses and microphones pushed in her face. She was constantly pursued and for this reason she sometimes had to hide or disguise herself in order to avoid the unyielding persistence and constant harassment of the press. Eugene Robinson, a journalist in England said, â€Å"For the tabloids, day in and day out, no story is bigger than the royal family. All the tabloids employ royal-watching reporters, some of whom have become celebrities in their own right. The story of Princess Diana of Whales was the biggest story of all.† (Sabjan, 1998) Princess Diana could not even stay out of the public eye when she was behind the walls of the royal estate. The press broke the story of her failing marriage, her intercepted phone conversation with a male friend, and finally her new relationship. The Princess often complained about the coverage, saying â€Å"Any sane person would have left (Britain) long ago.† (Sabjan, 1998) But with an abundant amount of freelance photographers stalking her every move upon her leaving Kensington Palace, that idea proved impossible. Pushed almost to the edge by constant press harassment, Princess Diana was ready to consider making an attempt to avoid the public altogether. During her last interview, Princess Diana told writer Richard Kay that she was â€Å"Going to complete her obligations to her charities and then completely withdraw from her formal public life.† (Sabjan, 1998) The public had forced itself into the life of a celebrity and caused the pressure from the media to become overwhelming. Princess Diana did stay in England, however, and used the incredible amounts of media attention to her advantage. Princess Diana had numerous charities and good causes that were important to her so she used the press to promote them, all the while helping to shape her own image. Unfortunately, in the case of Princess Diana, the press and their use of agg ressive tactics resulted in a tragedy. Princess Diana and her friend Dodi Al-Fayed had just left the Ritz Hotel in Paris, France, late Saturday night, August 30, 1997. Sending a regular chauffeur and limousine ahead as a decoy, Princess Diana and Al-Fayed left out of a different hotel entrance and entered a Mercedes S-280 driven by Henri Paul. Some photographers saw this, and began to follow the Mercedes on motorcycles and cars. Henri Paul tried to lose the photographers as he increased the car’s speed, but the photographers continued to follow, chasing the car through the streets. Eyewitnesses saw the motorcycles swarming the Mercedes as it entered a tunnel traveling over 60 miles per hour. The speed limit in the tunnel was 30 miles per hour. Inside the tunnel, the Mercedes hit a curb, lost control, and slammed into a concrete barrier post, then flipped several times. Dodi Al-Fayed and driver Henri Paul were killed at the scene of the accident. Princess Diana was brought to a hospital where doctors had to open her chest to fix a wound to a major blood vessel. Princess Diana’s heart was directly massaged for 2 hours, but the doctors were unsuccessful in saving her life. Princess Diana was pronounced dead at the hospital 4 hours after the accident. (Sabjan, 1998) Soon after their deaths, seven of the photographers were arrested, declared by police as manslaughter suspects because they were the reason the car was speeding in the first place. The Princess’ death had a large impact on the United States. She was a public figure that others could model their lives after and she was involved in several charities in the United States. The First Amendment to the United States Constitution grants the press immunity, but several arguments have risen for some type of further regulation. The press has an extensive history that must be observed and understood for an accurate analysis of the problems that face the press today. When the United States Cons titution was written in 1787, primary authors James Madison and Alexander Hamilton had to â€Å"sell† it to the American people. The Constitution articles were written in newspapers throughout the country. These articles are now collectively known as The Federalist Papers. Without these articles, it is doubtful that the experiment known as The United States would have ever happened. Seeing the power of the press, the founding fathers guaranteed its complete freedom on the first amendment to the Constitution. (Schwartz, 1992, p.174) The Freedom of the press was designed to act as another independent outside check system. A check on either the Executive, Legislature, or Judiciary branch of the government. (Wilson, 1999) Along with this responsibility, the freedom of the press clause was designed to lead to an informed populace. As Thomas Jefferson said, â€Å"The basis of our government being the opinion of the people, the very first object should be to keep that right, and we re it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate for a moment to prefer the latter.† (Schwartz, 1992, p.18) â€Å"The Press† is an extremely broad term and includes all systems that make information available to the public: newspapers, television, radio, magazines, books, lectures, movies, art, dance, telephone, cassettes, CDs, video discs, electronic bulletin boards, computer networks, billboards, and so on. It is generally referred to as â€Å"The Press† because the founding fathers, who wrote the freedom of the press into the Constitution, knew only of the printing press, at that time the most popular form of mass communication. Today, because of it’s variety, it is known as â€Å"The media.† â€Å"The media† would continue to present the public with information that influenced our society in several diverse ways. One of the most influential books o f the 1800s was Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Published in 1852, Stowe portrayed African American slaves as human beings, rather than animals with petty uses, and their white owner, Simon Legree, as the novel’s villain. The book became extremely successful, selling over 300,000 copies in its first year. (Levy, 1999, p. 91) Of these 300,000, a countless number were purchased in the South with the sole purpose of burning it. However, this book swayed popular opinion in the North towards the abolition of slavery. Without Uncle Tom’s Cabin, anti- slavery might never have been a major cause of the Civil War (Levy, 1999, p.93) In 1906, a book entitled The Jungle was written by Upton Sinclair. Using groundbreaking techniques in investigative reporting, Sinclair exposed to the public the deplorable conditions at a Chicago meat packing industry. Sinclair worked undercover, then wrote about the conditions he observed in his book. The Jungle changed the way food products were handled in the United States, when in response to the book, the government founded the Food and Drug Administration to prevent further widespread food handling abuse. (McWilliams, 1998) In the late 1930s, American’s were gently prodded into taking sides in World War II by what they heard on the radio. From Germany, American’s heard the incoherent sounds of a ranting lunatic followed by masses lock-stepping and shouting, â€Å"Sieg Heil! Sieg Heil!† From England however, American’s heard the warm, gentle, sometimes humorous voice of Winston Churchill. Surely it would be okay to lend this nice man some boats and lease him a few airplanes. And so, lend-lease was born, and the United States was no longer neutral. (Levy, 1999, p.114) The free press was responsible for major changes in America’s society. From the American Revolution, to the civil war, to the World Wars, the Press of America has shaped the way the public views and interprets certain events. It is important for Journalists to remember however, that they are responsible for informing the public in a certain fashion. Article IV of the American Society of Newspaper Editors (ASNE) Statement of Principals, entitled â€Å"Truth and Accuracy,† states that â€Å"Good faith with the reader is the foundation of good journalism.† (Iggers, 1998, p.39) In order for the press to maintain â€Å"Good Faith† with the reader, they must follow certain guidelines or ethics. The Society of Professional Journalists gathered in 1996 to revise their previous codes, established in 1926. The society focused on four primary aspects of newsgathering and reporting. The first being seeking and reporting the truth. (Iggers, 1998, p. 40) According to the Society, Journalists should take many steps in assuring themselves that the information they have gathered is truthful and accurate. In order to do so, the Society suggests that the reporting journalists should test the accuracy of their information. Journalists should always seek out the subjects of their reporting and give them the opportunity to respond to the allegations that are being brought up against them, while identifying their sources, which should be checked thoroughly for reliability, and never plagiarized. By following these guidelines, the harm induced on those being reported is minimized, which is the Society’s next aspect in their code of ethics. (Iggers, 1998, p. 42) To minimize the harm caused to those being reported, journalists are simply reminded to be sensitive when seeking interviews or photos of people affected by tragedy or grief, realizing that private people have a right to control certain amounts of information regarding themselves. (Iggers, 1998, p. 42) In doing so, journalists become more respected by the public, and become accountable for their reports, the third aspect of the Society’s code. The Society states that in order for a journ alist to be accountable for their reporting, they must admit any to any mistakes they may have made, and attempt to correct them immediately. Journalists should clarify their coverage and invite the public to discuss and voice any grievances against the news media that they may have, as well as properly exposing unethical practices of fellow journalists and the news media. (Iggers, 1998, p. 43) In doing this, journalists will be working independently, the Society’s final rule. Journalists must remain free of associations that could damage their own personal credibility, which may involve accepting gifts, favors or concealed fees in exchange for reporting something your that benefits their source, contradicting the interests of the public. (Iggers, 1998, p.38-47) Journalists have these guidelines to help them concentrate their efforts to reporting honestly and accurately. There are some journalists however, that choose not to follow such guidelines. That is why there are limit ations on how journalists obtain their information, and how that information is reported. The First Amendment does not list any specific exceptions, but it does not protect all types of speech and press. The US Government can limit the freedom of the press when it comes to the invasion of one’s privacy. Privacy in a tort concept embraces four branches of protected interests: protection from unreasonable intrusion upon one’s seclusion, from appropriation of one’s name or likeness, from unreasonable publicity given to one’s private life, and from publicity which unreasonably places one in a false light before the public. (FindLaw Constitution, 1998) The Sedition Act of 1798 made criminal the malicious writings which defamed, brought into contempt of disrepute, or excited the hatred of the people against the Government, the President, or the Congress, or which stirred people to sedition. (FindLaw Constitution, 1998) The press can be sued for libel if the rep orted material involves those who are not public figures or public officials that do not have the burden of proving that the publication was done with a reckless disregard of the truth. Libel occurs when a statement that is false about an identifiable person is published to a third party, causing injury to the subject’s reputation. (Schwartz, 1991, p. 59) Through million dollar damage settlements, high-profile lawsuits and fraud, the credibility of the press is continually being questioned. Although the First Amendment immunizes the press against liability to public figures for most damages resulting from unfavorable coverage, a majority of the population believes this freedom has impelled the press to go to far in obtaining news. The Press greatly affects many people in different negative ways. Possibly the most often and exclusively covered are those involved in mainstream politics, especially when the members of the congress or other important positions in the government d o something that contradicts what is acceptable in society today. One of the most prominent events in this nation’s political history occurred recently when current President Bill Clinton was romantically involved with a woman other than his wife. In 1995, Monica Lewinsky, a recent graduate of Lewis and Clark College in Portland, OR, began an internship at the White House in Washington, D.C. She quickly became close acquaintances with the President, as she transferred to a job in which she worked very closely to him. (Isikof, 1998) Linda Tripp, a friend of Monica Lewinsky’s, taped several phone conversations that she had with Ms. Lewinsky in which Ms. Lewinsky talked about giving oral sex to the President in a private study in the oval office. These tapes were then turned over to Kenneth Starr. Independent counsel Kenneth Starr led the Whitewater investigation, which were financial situations that Bill Clinton and his wife Hilary were involved in previous to Clintonâ⠂¬â„¢s first term as President, when he was the Governor of Arkansas. (Isikof, 1998) Starr wrote and sent a 445-page report on President Clinton and his acts of perjury to the House Judiciary Committee on Sept. 9, 1998. Clinton was accused of lying under oath regarding his relationship with Monica Lewinsky and impeding justice when he supposedly told Monica to lie about their relationship. The historic report, which was released to the American public, outlined 11 possible grounds for impeachment and contained explicit descriptions of Clinton’s sexual encounters with Monica Lewinsky. (isikof, 1998) For months the evening news was dominated by in depth discussion focusing directly on the President and his physical relationship with Monica Lewinsky. The Starr report was available to anyone in America over the internet. Summaries were printed in nearly all newspapers and magazines, and continued discussion swarmed everywhere on television and radio programs. Despite the fact tha t Clinton was accused of committing perjury, the American public remained on his side. 64%2 of Americans polled said they wanted Bill Clinton to remain in office. Even after all of the negative publicity that the President had received, the American public was still behind him, and it was not because the American public believed that the President was innocent of the charges. Seventy nine percent of those polled believed he was guilty of perjury. However, 68% of those polled believed that Clinton was performing his duties as President extremely well, and that the press was overly invading his personal life, which the press is often accused of. (Holland, 1998) The press has been accused of having a profoundly negative impact on the lives of public figures. In the last 30 years, journalism has changed from reporting only what was of importance to the public, to focusing on the private events of public figure’s lives. As Jeremy Iggers, author of Good News, Bad News said it, â₠¬Å"Network television news has become a world of UFOs, psychics, daydreams, miracle cures, cuddly animals, O.J. Simpson1, Jon Benet Ramsey, and from time to time, at least for a few minutes, actual news.† (Iggers, 1998, p. 114) It is extremely easy to find a case in which the press held the right to privacy in disregard. John F. Kennedy Jr. was in the spotlight of the press his entire life, following in his father’s footsteps. He life was followed by millions around the world. He became a prominent prosecutor in New York, then started a new political and socially orientated magazine entitled â€Å"George.† Kennedy Jr. married Carolyn Bessette in 1996, and life was going well for him. Then in 1999, tragedy struck. On July 16, 1999, Kennedy Jr., his wife Carolyn, and her sister were flying over the coast of Massachusetts, when their plane crashed into Martha’s Vineyard. All three were killed, and their ashes were spread not far from where the plane went down . (Kennedy, 2000) Within minutes of the news breaking that John Kennedy Jr.’s plane had disappeared, the media went into overdrive. Within hours, major networks and 24-hour cable news channels had top anchors in place, keeping up a steady drumbeat of coverage, pounding on the same few facts amid great speculation, historical reminiscences, and anecdotes. Tom Rosenstiel, director of the Project for Excellence in Journalism said that, â€Å"In 12 hours of coverage, there were only about 10 minutes’ worth of actual facts.† Stephen Lacy, acting director of Michigan State University’s School of Journalism in East Lansing said through the coverage of the Kennedy tragedy, he saw, â€Å"a bigger disconnect between the press and the public. It was a bit of overkill, especially on television.† He went on to say that â€Å"The media have not quite realized that overplaying does not help their credibility, but continues to show examples of the news industry e xploiting a tragedy in a push to stem a 20-year slide in ratings, readers, and credibility.† Not only is the press hurting the public figures by this kind of reporting, it is also affecting the public. When asked whether or not the Press had too much freedom in the United States today, 53% of those polled said yes. This percentage is up from 37% in 1997. (Sabjan, 1999) Paul McMasters of the First Amendment Center attributes the shift solely on the deeper dissatisfaction that the public feels towards the media. He believes that the public feels a sense of being overwhelmed in major stories (like the Kennedy crash) by speculation and the pervasiveness of news outlets. (Kennedy, 1999) The clash between the public and the press goes beyond insensitive reporting. The biggest question that faces the Press in the 90s, is the ongoing confusion regarding what the press’ actual motives in reporting the news are. Many believe that is the demand for high ratings on television or ne wspaper that leads journalists down the wrong path towards tabloid journalism, instead of reporting truthful, accurate and important information. Walter Cronkite, a broadcast journalist of the 60s and 70s, known for his coverage of the first man to walk on the moon, and the death of President John F. Kennedy said in 1998, â€Å"instead of these TV magazine programs offering tough documentaries and background on the issues that affect all of us, they’re making them into television copies of ‘photoplay’ magazine. Cronkite goes on to say that â€Å"News executives know better, but are helpless when top management demands an increase in ratings for profit protection. (Levy, 1999, p.61-63) The motives behind newsgathering could be considered by many to be contrary to what their responsibilities are. Changes in the autonomy3 and accountability of journalists in the past few years has resulted in questioning whether journalists are more interested in reporting what is important and necessary for public information, or personal gain in their field. The classic example of this is the story of Janet Cooke. Janet Cooke was a well respected journalist who worked for the Washington Post in the late 70s to 1981. In 1981, Cooke wrote a gripping story entitled, â€Å"Jimmy’s World.† â€Å"Jimmy† was an eight year old African American boy, who had become addicted to heroin due to the constant harassment and abuse from his mother’s live-in boyfriend. Her story was so well appreciated that it won the Pulitzer Prize in 1981. Shortly afterwards however, â€Å"Jimmy† was revealed as a falsity. Never was there a Jimmy, as Cooke later admitted to completely making up the story. Her Pulitzer was taken away, and Janet Cooke was forced to resign from journalism. Many refer to her as the new model journalist. Now, Not only are there journalists lying about their information and their stories, but top media executive decisions are a lso affecting whether or not the public receives information that is relevant. With several corporation mergers and consolidations, clamping down on costs and budgets, regardless of the effect on the news coverage, can make a company a more attractive take over target, an advantage to major shareholders in that corporation. Top executives in media operations often own even larger amounts of stock options, resulting in more income than their salary. Because of this, they have a personal interest in their companies’ profit. The more viewers they have, and the more the can squeeze out of their employees, the richer they will be in the end. (Levy, 1999, p. 70) This results in focusing on getting ratings rather than truthfulness and importance. Television programs such as American Journal and Hard Copy are filled with stories being covered simply for ratings. In the last twenty years, similar to television and magazines that have strayed toward reporting what will get ratings rath er than good solid news, journalists have done the same. The goals of more and more journalists have gone from reporting solid and useful material to whatever will make them the most money. Andrew Kohut, director of the Pen Research Center for People and the Press says, â€Å"The public feels that journalists are too aggressive in the way they play their watchdog role, and are doing it not because they are seeking the truth, but to advance their careers.† (Bowes, 1997, p. 124) Whether or not this is the case, the public cannot deny the fact that without the free press, it would be impossible to retain an informed populace. That is why many believe the press should be free to report anything truthful, honest and accurate. Throughout United States history, the Supreme Court has maintained and guaranteed the right to a free press. One of the most widely known cases in which this right is secured is in the case of New York Times Co. v. United States. The Pentagon Papers were top- secret information. The Papers were a study that detailed government deceptions about United States policy relating to the Vietnam War. The Papers were revealed to the New York Times by Daniel Ellsberg, one of the analysts who helped write and publish the study in 1971. These revealed that the Tonkin Gulf Resolution, which led to increased U.S. military involvement in Vietnam, had been formulated months before the corresponding incident took place, and that President Lyndon Johnson had been committing infantry to Vietnam while telling the nation that he had no long-range plans for the war. The U.S. government took the New York Times to court on basis publishing material that challenged national security. However, the Supreme Court agreed that stopping the publication violated First Amendment protections. Justice Hugo L. Black commented on the case saying, â€Å"I believe that every moment’s continuance of the injunctions against these newspapers amounts to a flagrant, indefe nsible, and continuing violation of the First Amendment. In the 1992 case of Food Lion v. American Broadcasting Channel Co. (ABC), two producers from the ABC news magazine show called â€Å"Prime Time Live† went under cover and started working at Food Lion grocery stores. The two ABC reporters used false resumes to get jobs at a Food Lion store in North and South Carolina, then secretly videotaped employees for a story on food-handling practices that accused the grocery chain of selling rat-gnawed cheese and rotting meat. The report alleged that Food Lion employees ground out-of-date beef along with new beef, bleached rank meat to remove its odor and redated products not sold before their expiration date. In 1992, the jury that found ABC guilty of fraud under a state law awarded the supermarket chain $5.5 million in punitive damages, but that was cut to $315,000 by a federal judge. (Associated Press, 1999) This past year, the charges were reversed, and ABC was found not guilt y of the charges brought against them. ABC intended to benefit the consuming public by letting it know about Food Lion’s food handling practices,† said the opinion by Judge M. Blane Michael. â€Å"And Moreover, ABC was not competing with Food Lion, as it did not have any actual or potential business relationship with the grocery chain.† The appeals panel affirmed the jury finding that the two ABC employees who worked for Food Lion–Lynne Dale and Susan Barnett — breached their duty of loyalty to Food Lion and committed trespass. It upheld nominal damages of $1 each against them. (Associated Press, 1999) â€Å"This is a victory for the American tradition of investigative journalism. In the end, after Food Lion spent millions of dollars on legal fees and public relations offensives, the court ordered ABC News to pay only $2 in damages,† said David Westin, ABC News president. (Associated Press, 1999) In the argument of the press over emphasizing coverage of public figures, several things must come into consideration. First and foremost, the press has the right to publish personal information about a public figure. As Supreme Court Justice Douglas said, â€Å"Such privacy as a person normally has ceases when his life has ceased to be private.† (Leahy, 1991, p.31) The First Amendment was intended for full freedom of expression for the press. For â€Å"a right to engage in rasping, corrosive, and offensive discussion on all topics of public interest.† (Levy, 1999, p.77) Many believe that the blame for the change in journalism from honest to tabloid journalism can be placed squarely on the public. The tabloid television shows have always done well in daytime ratings, as the public most often views television shows that focus on celebrities involving sex, crimes, or daily life. Joe Saltzman, a columnist for USA Today, in an article to the public said: â€Å"This is the way you want it. When you stop embracing cele brity journalism, when it is no longer profitable to publish pictures of every facet of a celebrities’ daily life, then all of this will end. And all media will look for something else that you want. To complain about the way things are, is simply to add more hypocrisy to the stench already surrounding us.† (Hamill, 1998, p.175) In order for the media and the public to coexist on better terms, certain things must occur. Journalists must try to follow codes of ethics that have been implied on them. By personally following the ethics that the American Society of Newspaper Editors have written, the public will once again begin to trust the press as truth seeking and honest. Journalists must also remain focused on the important issues that effect the American people. Issues involving political issues and votes in congress, not just what a political figure did on the weekend. Journalists should shy away from reporting consensual crimes. Consensual crimes corrupt our free pre ss. Because committing a consensual crime is breaking the law, and since breaking the law is news, reporters are often sent out looking for drug busts, hookers, or stories on who is sleeping with whom and whether or not they’re married to someone else. (McWilliams, 1999) As George Bernard Shaw, winner of the Nobel prize for literature commented, â€Å"You’d think America was populated solely by naked women and cinema stars.† (McWilliams, 1999) The press not only cheapens itself by playing tattletale and reporting the consensual exploits of others; it also â€Å"eats it’s young† by reporting on the consensual activities of its own. An example of this involves an attractive female â€Å"reporter† who invited Larry King up to her hotel room, which happened to have a barrage of hidden cameras. Time went on and on, Mr. King did not make a single improper move. But, as dull and unimportant as it was, they aired the tape anyway. (McWilliams, 1999) News like this benefits no one, and should have no place in journalism. The public, just like the press, has to adapt and change as well if the press is expected to change the way they report information, and what kind of information they report. The public can no longer maintain such a high appreciation for obtaining information regarding the personal lives of those with very public lives. If this occurs, horrible tragedies like the death of Princess Diana could possibly be avoided in the future. The press will always report events that occur in the lives of public figures, but if the public as a whole loses its insatiable curiosity regarding these public figures, the press will begin to look elsewhere for stories that hold the public’s interest. Over the course of the 20th century the Supreme Court has breathed life into the text of the First Amendment by upholding the right of the press to pursue its mission, no matter how detestable that might seem to those in power. The courts have imposed some limits on liberty, and some questions remain as to how far this liberty will extend to new media and to some of the more aggressive efforts employed by journalists to obtain the news. Still, as Justice Stewart wrote in the Pentagon Papers case, â€Å"without an informed and free press there cannot be an enlightened people.† The U.S. Supreme Court has yet to address many of the important issues raised by surreptitious newsgathering. And the issue at hand may be much larger than the pure legality of journalistic methods and behavior. The face of journalism itself is changing to accommodate new technology, global events, and the complicated needs and interests of the viewer. In the case of Food Lion, many argue that â€Å"the prime time magazines are under enormous pressure to tell clear, simple stories, with victims and villains, preferably illustrated with eye-catching video,† (Gunther, 1998) The challenge facing the courts then, is to ensure th at investigative journalism can continue to produce hard-hitting stories that expose wrongdoing, while avoiding the litigation that redirects blame to the journalists. Like most legal issues, the balance is unstable, but the public can only be best served once the question of the media and constitutional protection have been put to rest. The freedom of the press will remain as one of the most important freedoms in our country. So as a country, it should be of utmost importance to hold on to that freedom, with the press and public attempting to work together to maintain liberty. Andrew Hamilton said it best in a speech he gave on August 4, 1735: Power may justly be compared to a great river; while keeping its bounds, it is both beautiful and useful, but when it overflows its banks, it is then too impetuous to be stemmed; it bears down all before it, and brings destruction and desolation wherever it comes. If, then, this be the nature of power, let us at least do our duty as a country , and like wise men who value freedom, use our utmost care to support liberty, the only bulwark against lawless power, which, in all ages has sacrificed the blood of the best men that ever lived. (encarta, 99) That was a sweet ass paper. Comments or thanks @ Bibliography Works Cited Associated Press. â€Å"Federal appeals court reverses fraud verdict against ABC in Food Lion case.† available online http://www.gocarolinas.com/news/carolinas/1999/10/20/food_lion.html, February 18, 2000. This article, and this case in general was extremely helpful, containing valueable information regarding a case that strongly supported the arguement that the press should not be regulated. Bowes, Kay. Journalism Ethics Columbus Publications. 1997. Encarta Online Delux. â€Å"Andrew Hamilton on Free Speech and Press.† available online www.Encarta.com. January 8, 2000. FindLaw Constitution. â€Å"Invasion of Privacy.† available online http://caselaw.nndraw.com/data/Constitution/amen dment01/19.html, January 12, 2000. Gunther, Marc. â€Å"The Lion’s Share.† American Journalism Review, March 1997. Hamill, Pete. News is a Verb. Ballantine Publishing Group. 1997. Holland, Keating. Poll: Strong majority do not want Clinton removed from office. available http://cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/stories/1999/01/11/poll/, January 26, 2000. 20 Infoplease.com. â€Å"Kenneth Starr.† available online http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0767291.html. February 16, 2000. Iggers, Jeremy. Good News, Bad News. Westview Press. 1998 This book played a vital part in my researc paper, supplying most of my basis for the codes of ethics journalists must follow. Isikof, Michael. and Thomas, Evan. â€Å"The President and the intern.† Newsweek 2 Feb.1998. Kennedy, Bruce. â€Å"JFK Jr.: Reluctant Crown Prince or America’s â€Å"Royal Family.† available online http://cnn.com/SPECIALS/1999/kennedy/stories/jfk.profile/index.html, Februrary 20, 2000. Levy, Beth. Bonill a, Denise M. The Power of the Press. H.W. Wilson Company. New York, 1999. McWilliams, Walter. â€Å"Consensual Crimes Corrupt the Freedom of the Press.† available online http://www.mcwilliams.com/books/amt/212.htm. Sabjan, Kathryn. â€Å"Tabloid Journalism.† online available http://www.an.psu.edu/cgk4/kls5.html, December 20, 1999. Schwartz, Bernard. Freedom of the Press. Facts on file Publishing. 1992. This book was also very important to my paper, as it had an incredible amount of facts regarding the history of the Freedom of the Press. 21 Wilson, Mike. â€Å"Freedom of the Press: How far does it go?† Cobblestone. January 1999. Proquest. January 20, 2000. Word Count: 5132 BibliographyBibliography Works Cited Associated Press. â€Å"Federal appeals court reverses fraud verdict against ABC in Food Lion case.† available online http://www.gocarolinas.com/news/carolinas/1999/10/20/food_lion.html, February 18, 2000. This article, and this case in general was e xtremely helpful, containing valueable information regarding a case that strongly supported the arguement that the press should not be regulated. Bowes, Kay. Journalism Ethics Columbus Publications. 1997. Encarta Online Delux. â€Å"Andrew Hamilton on Free Speech and Press.† available online www.Encarta.com. January 8, 2000. FindLaw Constitution. â€Å"Invasion of Privacy.† available online http://caselaw.nndraw.com/data/Constitution/amendment01/19.html, January 12, 2000. Gunther, Marc. â€Å"The Lion’s Share.† American Journalism Review, March 1997. Hamill, Pete. News is a Verb. Ballantine Publishing Group. 1997. Holland, Keating. Poll: Strong majority do not want Clinton removed from office. available http://cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/stories/1999/01/11/poll/, January 26, 2000. 20 Infoplease.com. â€Å"Kenneth Starr.† available online http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0767291.html. February 16, 2000. Iggers, Jeremy. Good News, Bad News. Westview Press. 199 8 This book played a vital part in my researc paper, supplying most of my basis for the codes of ethics journalists must follow. Isikof, Michael. and Thomas, Evan. â€Å"The President and the intern.† Newsweek 2 Feb.1998. Kennedy, Bruce. â€Å"JFK Jr.: Reluctant Crown Prince or America’s â€Å"Royal Family.† available online http://cnn.com/SPECIALS/1999/kennedy/stories/jfk.profile/index.html, Februrary 20, 2000. Levy, Beth. Bonilla, Denise M. The Power of the Press. H.W. Wilson Company. New York, 1999. McWilliams, Walter. â€Å"Consensual Crimes Corrupt the Freedom of the Press.† available online http://www.mcwilliams.com/books/amt/212.htm. Sabjan, Kathryn. â€Å"Tabloid Journalism.† online available http://www.an.psu.edu/cgk4/kls5.html, December 20, 1999. Schwartz, Bernard. Freedom of the Press. Facts on file Publishing. 1992. This book was also very important to my paper, as it had an incredible amount of facts regarding the history of the Freed om of the Press. 21 Wilson, Mike. â€Å"Freedom of the Press: How far does it go?† Cobblestone. January 1999. Proquest. January 20, 2000. Overpopulation in the 1900s Essay