#Heroes Wiki (English) copyright Heroes Wiki RSS Feed Heroes Wiki Atom Feed Help:Sources From Heroes Wiki Jump to: navigation, search Help General Help * Characters * Editing * Layout * Naming conventions * Sources * Style Special Topics * Caching * Collapsible tables * Consensus checks * Disambiguation * Images * Int'l characters * Interviews * Quotes * Portals * Signatures * Spoilers * Tables of contents * Templates * Theories For more help... Contact an administrator * Admin * MiamiVolts * Radicell * RyanGibsonStewart Or leave a message * Administrator Portal When creating or editing articles, it's best to be mindful of the source of the information you are using. Different kinds of sources should be treated differently in different kinds of articles. Contents * 1 Canon, Official, and Credible Sources + 1.1 Canon + 1.2 Near-Canon o 1.2.1 Webisodes o 1.2.2 Graphic Novels o 1.2.3 Heroes Evolutions + 1.3 Official Sources + 1.4 Credible Sources + 1.5 Unofficial Sources * 2 Published Spoilers and Fan Theories + 2.1 Published Spoilers + 2.2 Fan Theories * 3 Using Sources * 4 Contradictions between sources * 5 Real-World Articles Canon, Official, and Credible Sources Canon The "canon" is the body of work which constitutes the accepted official events and items of the show's world. The term "canon" originally referred to an officially sanctioned body of church laws and scriptures, and was used to distinguish from works which were not recognized by the church, like the Gospel of Thomas. The same idea applies to the notion of "canon" in fandoms: it distinguishes information that is established as being "true" in the world of the show from information which has been reported by other sources but not confirmed. For Heroes, the only official canon source is actual broadcast episodes. Any information that does not appear on screen is not considered part of the Heroes canon. Near-Canon Webisodes The Webisodes, which are written and produced by the show's writing staff, are reliable non-canon source. Graphic Novels The Graphic Novels, which are also written and produced alongside each episode by the show's writing staff, are reliable non-canon source. Still, it's technically possible that the writers could at any point contradict information from the graphic novels in a broadcast episode. When using information from a graphic novel, be sure to clearly label it as coming from a graphic novel. This will make it easier for readers unfamiliar with the graphic novels to identify the source of any information. Heroes Evolutions Information from the Heroes Evolutions experience is similar to the graphic novels in that it supplements information from the episodes. However, some Heroes Evolutions information is contradicted by canon information from the episodes (for example, some of the information from the interactive map contradicts the aired version of the list). Additionally, the timeline of the Heroes Evolutions information doesn't match the canon timeline. Like graphic novels, it's important to label all information from Heroes Evolutions as coming from Heroes Evolutions. Information from Heroes Evolutions which contradicts canon material should be confined to notes sections and the contradiction should be noted. Official Sources Some non-canon information comes from the creators and broadcasters of the show. Such official sources are generally more reliable than unofficial sources, such as fans, entertainment media, and bloggers. Official sources include things like Greg Beeman's blog, the NBC.com website, comicbookresources's Behind the Eclipse series, and information from Heroes Evolutions. Other official sources include interviews with the show's creators. Credible Sources A credible source is a source that, while not a part of canon, is generally believed to be reliable. Credible sources are usually official sources, but not all official sources are credible. For example, the photo captions on NBC.com, while official, have been proven unreliable on several occasions. Some photos are from scenes which were not included in broadcast episodes, and one caption even mistakenly stated that D.L. was The Haitian. Unofficial Sources Unofficial sources include other websites, magazines, newspapers, and television programs. Although such sources often focus on unbroadcast information and thus fall more under the umbrella of "published spoilers" or "fan theories", some include information about aired episodes as well. This includes things like IMDb's cast listings for broadcast episodes. Some unofficial sources are more credible than others. Published Spoilers and Fan Theories Published Spoilers Published spoilers are information about upcoming episodes or unaired details which are published by an established source, such as an entertainment media magazine or website. It also includes aired promotional spots and trailers for upcoming episodes. It's important to label spoilers appropriately (using the {{spoiler}} or {{unairedspoiler}} templates) for a few reasons. First, it allows readers to avoid reading information about upcoming episodes that they do not wish to see by warning them, and second, it makes it clear that the information is speculative. Even the most credible spoiler from the most reliable official source can still change before the episode in question airs. Fan Theories Fan theories are speculation about upcoming episodes or unaired details created by fans of the show. They include such things as fan posts on message boards and forums, as well as most fan weblogs and podcasts. Using Sources Information from canon sources can be used anywhere within any article, so long as it doesn't contradict another canon or non-canon source. It is not necessary to cite a canon source (in other words, the episode), but you can do so if you believe it will make the information more clear or easier to find. Remember to cite canon sources either parenthetically or in a section title to maintain in-world perspective if appropriate. Information from the graphic novels can also be used freely within articles, but should always be cited as coming from the relevant graphic novel. Information from Heroes Evolutions should be confined to Heroes Evolutions-specific sections, if used in the body of an article, or labeled as coming from Heroes Evolutions with a parenthetical citation, if used in a notes section. Parenthetical citations should always be in parentheses. The namespace should not be used in a parenthetical citation. For instance, the cite should read (Genesis) or (Monsters), not (Episode:Genesis) or (Graphic Novel:Monsters). Likewise, if citing Heroes Evolutions as a source, the cite should read (Heroes Evolutions) (not italicized). As well, iStory citations only need to mention the iStory's name, not the chapter number or title; iStory titles do not need to be italicized. An iStory cite should read (Faction Zero). If only one source is being cited, the cite can be placed after the period at the end of the sentence or sentences. If more than one source is referenced, the citation should go before the period for each sentence. For example: Hiro turns his clock back one second. (Genesis) Claire jumps off an 80-foot structure and survives (Genesis). Later, she repeats her jump for Zach (Godsend). All other information is technically speculation. All speculative information should be labeled as such and a source should be given. Credible and official sources are generally acceptable in Notes sections. All spoilers should be confined to spoiler articles, and published spoilers should be distinguished from fan-created or fan-reported spoilers. Fan theories should be confined to Theory articles and clearly labeled as such. Since most fan theories are espoused by a wide number of people and few, if any, are truly original, there's no need to provide a citation for fan theories. Contradictions between sources Where a non-canon source contradicts a canon source, or multiple non-canon sources contradict one another, the standard treatment of sources is sufficient: canon and near-canon sources can be used freely throughout the article, while the conflicting non-canon information should be confined to Notes sections and clearly labeled as to its source. However, when two canon sources contradict one another, each statement would require another canon source to be wrong, meaning either statement requires speculation, and neither can legitimately be treated as a canon source without requiring an explanation of the conflict. Since such an explanation necessarily breaks the article's in-world perspective, it should be confined to the Notes section. Real-World Articles Articles which relate to the real-world (for example, cast and crew biographies) obviously do not need canon sources. For such articles, it's generally sufficient to use information from published, credible, or official sources. Retrieved from "http://heroeswiki.com/Help:Sources" Category: Help Views * Help page * Discussion * View source * History Personal tools * Log in / create account Navigation * Main Page * Community portal * Article portals * Current events * Recent changes * Random page * Help * Links * Translations * Donations Search ____________________ Go Search _______________ Google Search Toolbox * What links here * Related changes * Upload file * Special pages * Printable version * Permanent link Heroes Merchandise IFRAME: http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=herwik-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B0024FAD9C&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr IFRAME: http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=herwik-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1550228056&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr&nou=1 Powered by MediaWiki Creative Commons License * This page was last modified 22:46, 18 September 2009. * This page has been accessed 5,261 times. * Content is available under Creative Commons License. * Privacy policy * About Heroes Wiki * Disclaimers * Heroes Wiki logo designed by RyanGibsonStewart. * Sections + TV/Film + Music + Culture + Sci/Tech + Books + Politics + Sports + Gaming + Tastes * Writers + Writers Index + Become a Blogcritic * Partners + Twittorati + BC Radio + Technorati + Desicritics + GlossLip + Fanboy + Web Cultist * More + Features + Tags + Fresh Comments + About Blogcritics + Advertise Write for Blogcritics! Find out how. Home Politics Official Sources: Iraq Has WMDs... And Other Tales "A sinister cabal of superior writers." Official Sources: Iraq Has WMDs... And Other Tales Share Author: Spincycle — Published: Aug 28, 2006 at 5:27 pm 5 comments After being panned for using unnamed sources, journalists seem to have switched to just replaying official communiqués from the government. Once upon a time, the stories used to rely exclusively on first hand reporting, and by that I mean talking to multiple people belonging to differing factions, visiting the place of action, and all mixed with the little wisdom gleaned from one's own "sources." Today all that has changed, and what has been left of reporting is quotes from public statements from the government or other official or publicly authorized sources. What is even more alarming is that often the bankrupt official versions are juxtaposed with first-hand reporting to sabotage what the journalists have gleaned first hand. Of course this farce is only perpetrated when it suits the narrow political aims of the news organization or the journalist. Take for example the recent shameful reporting on the Lebanese conflict by The New York Times, which took care to always weave in an official Israeli government reaction to any news about casualties in Lebanon. The paragraphs went something like this: So many civilians died when an apartment building collapsed in a particular town. Israeli army has said that the building was being used as a Hezbollah hideout. Whatever the truth may have been there, it should have been arrived with due care, mixed with reporting from the scene, and talking to multiple people. For what does and empty line of an official source really tell us? Why does it become part of reporting? A journalist's job is to analyze and assimilate multiple sources and piece together what really happened. It is not to quote Israeli or Hezbollah sources. Including direct quotes from official sources or including a summary of the official line uncritically in the midst of first-hand reporting amounts to perversion of the basic principles of journalism. The sad repercussions of this kind of non-journalism were on full display in the Iraq WMD fiasco. The NY Times, a full year after that episode, came out with a report saying "mea culpa" and made assertions that it has learnt from its mistakes but the recent reporting from Lebanon shows that not much has changed at the Grand Old Lady. Of course, the New York Times, by far, is not the worst culprit of doling out official wisdom as reporting; that title of course is reserved for government lapdog, Fox News, which makes its living by distributing government propaganda with just the right amount of titillation, rancor, and graphics. On the other hand, the demise of true reporting at this touchstone of journalism is much more disturbing. Article tags * Culture * • Government * • International * • Media * • Policy * • Politics * • U.S. * • War and Terrorism Spread the word Bookmark and Share Profile image for spincycle Article Author: Spincycle Spincycle is interested in questions around media, governance, and political economy. He strongly values reading good fiction for he feels that it imparts the important value of empathy. Visit Spincycle's author page — Spincycle's Blog Read comments on this article, and add some feedback of your own Article comments [rss.png?1239322298] Subscribe to comment RSS * 1 - Intrepid Aug 28, 2006 at 7:10 pm The Israeli PR efforts are famous for simply handing down "official" versions of events, and the US media has often been guilty of simply reporting those. And not just in the recent conflict, but for many many years now. Check out the documentary "Peace, Propoganda and Promised Land" on Google video * 2 - Deano Aug 28, 2006 at 7:38 pm I hate to tell you but this is nothing new. For better or worse, this is the environment within which news is gathered and reported, and has always been. Is it perfect - no. Does it sometimes have an agenda - yes. Do governments and political groups and interests try to influence the reporting of the new - Hell yes. What can you do about this - be skeptical, use multiple sources for your news, if a newsperson then they need to verify from multiple sources where possible and if not possible use caveants when reporting. This applies to all sides in the conflict as all sides use the war for propaganda purposes. While the Israelis claim every strike is one on legitimate Hezbollah targets, Hezbollah claims every strike an attack on innocents. Hezbollah has been documented staging and faking pictures of victims and bombings. Information is a critical element in a modern war. Hezbollah and the Israelis know this - it would be wise if we did too. * 3 - Peter J Aug 28, 2006 at 9:09 pm Gaurav, You said the magic word; propaganda. This administration has learned by its mistakes in the way of offering tid-bits of information hear and smidgens of facts there. Somehow, the press was able to decipher this garbled jibber-jabber and actually develop a story. Add to that 'W's public appearances (or as it's called 'Romper Room's Name That Word') which turn into very uncomfortable sweat soaked palm podium clutching knee knocking comedy shows, also known as press conferences, which are a rare event indeed. The White House is finished giving up information which will inevitably be used as ammunition against them. As it should be. Imagine our gall to believe that the White House owes US, piss-ants all, the truth. We can't handle the truth! Whether the news is happy, sad, discomforting, or elating, just so long it is the truth and has any effect whatsoever on the American public it must be disclosed in a truthful, unbiased manner. That is news. Don't expect to hear any 'news' from the White House any time soon although that shouldn't come as a surprise, I don't believe that we've gotten any truth (news) from this administration for a long time. Remember, propaganda can be your friend, embrace it! * * 4 - Justin Berry Aug 29, 2006 at 12:10 am The problem is not with the politicians or the media. The problems is with dumbasses who vote for Bush because Falwell says or Kerry because Hollywood says. The same dumbasses who are too lazy to decide for themselves how they feel about an issue and research candidates who will push the legislation that they feel strongly about. * 5 - Mistress La Spliffe Aug 29, 2006 at 4:12 pm Deano is right. It's been like this since Hearst - the New York Times has been doing it since the 19th century - and consumers of news like us are at fault if we're not aware of that. The best we can do as consumers is get our news from multiple sources and try to be aware of when we're paying attention to a media source because it's informing us, and when we're paying attention because we like the way it spews back and reinforces our own prejudices and paranoias . . . *cough* Bill O'Reilly *cough* Noam Chomsky *cough*. Add your comment, speak your mind Personal attacks are NOT allowed. Please read our comment policy. Name: ____________________ URL: ____________________ Remember name and url? [_] Comment: ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ Preview Comment Please preview your comment. Post Comment * TV Review: Lie To Me - "Funhouse" and "Rebound" by Gerry Weaver on January 12, 2011 * "Like" Blogcritics on Facebook by Staff on January 11, 2011 * Collectors Can Rejoice: Promo CDs are Legal to Sell by Charlie Doherty on January 11, 2011 * Compulsive Karaoke: Genetic Predisposition? by Joanne Huspek on January 11, 2011 Recent Politics Features * Image for this feature The New Radicalism * Image for this feature Capitol Idea * Image for this feature Election 2010 * Image for this feature The View From Abroad * Image for this feature Military Watch view more Politics features blogcritics lists for Jan 13, 2011 fresh articles Most recent articles site-wide * Theater Review (NYC): Pants on Fire's Metamorphoses Conceived and Adapted by Peter Bramley, after Ovid by Jon Sobel * Music Review: Black Sabbath Featuring Tony Iommi - Seventh Star by Richey1977 * Music Review: Sorrows - Bad Times Good Times by Jade Blackmore * Obama and Palin: A Tale Of Two Speakers by Glen Boyd * Nintendo Wii Review: Yogi Bear: The Video Game by Confessions of an Overworked Mom fresh comments Most recent comments site-wide * Yes, below is where that happened. All he has to do is email whatever he wishes... by Cindy * ...moderation Clav, moderation... ;-) by Cindy * You've clearly been a personal friend of Viggo's for many years. by Anon * Didn't Alan explain in a thread that he created Irv and that he used a... by Cindy * Priligy Priligy Priligy by Landon view more fresh comments most comments Most comments in 24hrs * Founders' Intent, Indeed by Tommy Mack (24 comments) * Jared Lee Loughner Was Caught Up in a World of Dreams by John Lake (18 comments) * This is Hate Speech by Dave Nalle (13 comments) * In Defense of Anarchism, Part II by Roger Nowosielski (12 comments) * Unnecessary Pap Smears by bookofjoe (11 comments) top writers Most prolific Blogcritics for December * JeromeWetzelTV (24 articles) * David Bowling (22 articles) * Greg Barbrick (19 articles) * Josh Lasser (18 articles) * Sekhar (15 articles) top commenters Most prolific Commenters in 24 hrs * Clavos (20 comments) * Cindy (15 comments) * roger nowosielski (12 comments) * Baronius (9 comments) * Irvin F Cohen (7 comments) Politics Highlights * Founders' Intent, Indeed by Tommy Mack on Jan 11, 2011 * Constitution - Shmonsh-titution by Irvin F. Cohen on Jan 11, 2011 * Inflation Hits India Hard by meenas17 on Jan 11, 2011 * Blogcritics * Contact Blogcritics * Advertising * About Blogcritics * RSS feeds * All RSS Feeds (240+) * All BC Articles * All BC Comments * Legal * Terms of Service * Privacy Policy * DMCA Article Archives 2002 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 2003 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 2004 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 2005 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 2006 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 2007 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 2008 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 2009 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 2010 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 2011 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Follow Blogcritics on Twitter © 2009 Blogcritics. All Rights Reserved. © Technorati, Inc / Technorati Media / Technorati.com / Blogcritics / AdEngage About Technorati / Terms of Service / Privacy / CC License / Ping Technorati / Publish on Technorati / Advertise [noscript?tag=pageturners0c] #Media RSS feed Newspapers & magazines RSS feed World news RSS feed Iraq RSS feed Middle East RSS feed Politics RSS feed Alastair Campbell RSS feed Peter Wilby on the press RSS feed Turn autoplay off Turn autoplay on Please activate cookies in order to turn autoplay off * Jump to content [s] * Jump to site navigation [0] * Jump to search [4] * Terms and conditions [8] Mobile site Sign in Register Text larger · smaller About us * About us * Contact us * Press office * Guardian Print Centre * Guardian readers' editor * Observer readers' editor * Terms of service * Privacy policy * Advertising guide * Digital archive * Digital edition * Guardian Weekly * Buy Guardian and Observer photos * Subscribe Today's paper * The Guardian * G2 features * Comment and debate * Editorials, letters and corrections * Obituaries * Other lives * Sport * Subscribe Zeitgeist * Today's hot topics guardian.co.uk home ____________________ [Media.........] Search * News * Sport * Comment * Culture * Business * Money * Life & style * Travel * Environment * TV * Video * Data * Offers * Jobs * News * Media Series: Peter Wilby on the press Previous | Next | Index On the press My suspicions about official sources * + Tweet this + + Reddit + Buzz up * peter_wilby_140x140 * + Peter Wilby + The Guardian, Monday 23 July 2007 In the index to Alastair Campbell's The Blair Years, you will find entries for Kosovo and Afghanistan, but not for Iraq. So if you want to search for the inside story of how Campbell spun the war, you will have to plough through the press supremo's staccato prose. You will be disappointed.Campbell tells us little about what was, after all, supposed to be his main job: keeping journalists onside. Even the Sun's Trevor Kavanagh puts in only four appearances, while distinguished commentators such as the Independent's Steve Richards or editors such as the Guardian's Alan Rusbridger don't feature at all. There are, however, a few revealing passages. One, for September 10 2002, reads: "Alex F called, really worried about Iraq . . . really on the rampage about the press as well, said we had to do something, they were out of control." It took me a while to work out that Alex F was Alex Ferguson, the Manchester United manager. Somehow, I find his role as a government adviser even more alarming than that of Rupert Murdoch, who also crops up more frequently than almost any working hack. But what struck me most was the assumption, when the powerful speak to the powerful, that the press should normally be under "control". The extent to which sports pages are controlled - so that football's corruption went unremarked until it was investigated by BBC Panorama - is a subject for another day. What concerns me here is control of political news. From 2002, New Labour got a hard time from newspapers, particularly over Iraq, and in his diaries Campbell never stops whining. Yet the press largely supported the Iraq invasion, and presented it as a success until growing anarchy made such a panglossian interpretation impossible. Even most of the war's opponents didn't question the main premise: that Saddam possessed WMDs which would soon include nuclear weapons. To this day, it is said experts were unanimous in believing Saddam posed a serious threat. That simply isn't true. Many well-informed people, including former UN weapons inspectors, were saying WMDs had most likely been destroyed (with only battlefield weapons possibly remaining) and Saddam was nowhere near a nuclear capability. The press mostly ignored them, both here and in the US. Why? As American academics argue in When the Press Fails, a book published by the University of Chicago Press this year, newspapers favour "simple, dramatic narratives". Governments are best placed to provide these, particularly on foreign policy where secret intelligence material and diplomatic manoeuvring are crucial. When a body of opinion inside government - or inside the mainstream political process - challenges the official version of events, journalists will present competing analyses. But dissidents from outside the establishment lack the standing and resources to sustain an alternative narrative. Unless they have a leading position in a significant opposition party, anyone who is out of office, even if they were once in office, can be depicted as out-of-touch, deranged and embittered. American journalism's greatest triumph, Watergate, merely proves the point. Deep Throat, without whom the story would have died, turned out to be No 2 at the FBI. The US press, which critics such as John Lloyd of the Reuters Institute would like our papers to emulate, has the bigger problem. It propagated bigger lies - for example, that Saddam was linked to 9/11 - with greater success and, because it lacks the competitive spur of the UK market, presents a more homogeneous view. To some extent, the US press is a victim of its virtuous insistence on rigour. American journalists have it drummed into them from youth that everything they write must be properly sourced. Whatever the evidence to the contrary, newspapers tend to assume, on most subjects, that official sources are the most "proper" ones. Even the best British papers have no cause for complacency, however, and unlike the New York Times and Washington Post, they haven't apologised for misleading readers. What was going on at Abu Ghraib, for example? Most Iraqis - and they should know - would call it torture. So would most continental newspapers. But analysis by American academics shows the term was used far less frequently by the British press (including the Guardian) and hardly at all by the US press. In both countries, official sources insisted incidents at Abu Ghraib were "abuses", committed by "rogue elements". None of this would matter so much if the press showed signs of learning lessons. But the official narrative on Iran - that it is striving to acquire nuclear weapons while arming terrorists in Iraq - is as unchallenged now as the narrative about WMDs before the Iraq war. So is the narrative that all violence in Iraq is caused by a combination of al-Qaida, Iranian meddling, sectarian fanaticism and Saddamite fascism. The possibility that much of it involves an authentic nationalist uprising, which just wants a united Iraq with the Americans out, is ruled inadmissible. Seumas Milne's report in the Guardian last week was a rare exception. I do not know enough about Iraq to be sure the official narratives are untrue, any more than I could be sure the WMD claims were untrue - though, on the latter, my instincts proved correct. What I do know is that I would like to read the rival narratives more often. Whatever Campbell and Ferguson think, the more the press is out of control, the better. Manipulating content is nothing new "Never believe what you read in the newspapers" is familiar advice. My neighbours learned years ago that they shouldn't believe what they see on the television either. A TV news crew visited my home in the late 70s during the 11-month lockout of the print unions at Times Newspapers. We hacks were still fully paid but had nothing to do. We must, the TV people insisted, be gardening. I pleaded I had been writing a book and should be filmed at my typewriter (as it then was). But, no, I was dragged out to prune the roses, to the incredulity of neighbours who had previously seen only unpruned roses and rampant weeds. So the news that the BBC and other companies have been manipulating the results of gameshows was not, to me, surprising. TV's factual output - and I suppose gameshows count as factual - is almost wholly contrived. It's hard to get concerned about the "noddies" on TV news and documentaries, whereby the interviewer's questions and his or her supposed reactions to the answers are filmed separately after the interview. But many viewers are indignant when told of this device. More worrying are the TV documentary makers, inspired by John Birt's "mission to explain", who turn up to interviews with a script. They have slotted each interviewee into a defined role, where he or she is expected to express a predetermined opinion, as though it were an episode of Coronation Street. All the same, there's something indecent about newspapers' glee at what the Sun called "Beeb's shame" and their call to "sack the complacent jobsworths" (the Sun again). Newspapers have a long history of running dodgy games - stories of rigged spot-the-ball contests were once legion - but I do not recall many heads rolling. * Print this Printable version * Send to a friend * Share * Clip * Contact us * larger | smaller Email Close Recipient's email address ____________________ Your first name ____________________ Your surname ____________________ Add a note (optional) _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ Send Your IP address will be logged Share Close Short link for this page: http://gu.com/p/d584 * Digg * reddit * Google Bookmarks * Twitter * del.icio.us * StumbleUpon * Newsvine * livejournal * Facebook * Mixx it! Contact us Close * Contact the Media editor editor@mediaguardian.co.uk * Report errors or inaccuracies: reader@guardian.co.uk * Letters for publication should be sent to: letters@guardian.co.uk * If you need help using the site: userhelp@guardian.co.uk * Call the main Guardian and Observer switchboard: +44 (0)20 3353 2000 * + Advertising guide + License/buy our content Media * Newspapers & magazines World news * Iraq · * Middle East Politics * Alastair Campbell Series * Peter Wilby on the press More from Peter Wilby on the press on World news * Iraq · * Middle East Media * Newspapers & magazines Politics * Alastair Campbell More comment Related * 4 Feb 2008 Campbell's media critique is only half the story * 25 Jun 2003 Straw rounds on Campbell * 9 Mar 2003 The spies and the spinner * 9 Jul 2007 Campbell's diaries: key extracts * Print this Printable version * Send to a friend * Share * Clip * Contact us * Article history Email Close Recipient's email address ____________________ Your first name ____________________ Your surname ____________________ Add a note (optional) _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ Send Your IP address will be logged Share Close Short link for this page: http://gu.com/p/d584 * Digg * reddit * Google Bookmarks * Twitter * del.icio.us * StumbleUpon * Newsvine * livejournal * Facebook * Mixx it! Contact us Close * Contact the Media editor editor@mediaguardian.co.uk * Report errors or inaccuracies: reader@guardian.co.uk * Letters for publication should be sent to: letters@guardian.co.uk * If you need help using the site: userhelp@guardian.co.uk * Call the main Guardian and Observer switchboard: +44 (0)20 3353 2000 * + Advertising guide + License/buy our content About this article Close Peter Wilby: My suspicions about official sources This article appeared on p7 of the MediaGuardian section of the Guardian on Monday 23 July 2007. It was published on guardian.co.uk at 08.40 BST on Monday 23 July 2007. guardian jobs Find the latest jobs in your sector: * Arts & heritage * Charities * Education * Environment * Government * Graduate * Health * Marketing & PR * Media * Sales * Senior executive * Social care Browse all jobs ____________________ Search Senior Business Development Manager Brighton | Salary dependent on experience MADGEX LTD Find your MP Find your constituency [Aberavon...................................] Go Enter an MP's name ____________________ Go Enter postcode ____________________ Go About this search | Browse the map On Media * Most viewed * Zeitgeist * Latest Last 24 hours 1. [Julian-Assange-arrives-at-002.jpg] 1. WikiLeaks: Julian Assange claims to have Rupert Murdoch 'insurance files' 2. 2. PCC to investigate Daily Telegraph's covert recording of Lib Dem MPs 3. 3. Jeremy Hunt resigned to judicial challenge over BSkyB bid 4. 4. Today's media stories from the papers 5. 5. WikiLeaks: Julian Assange 'faces execution or Guantánamo detention' 6. More most viewed Last 24 hours 1. PCC to investigate Daily Telegraph's covert recording of Lib Dem MPs 2. Julian Assange 'happy' after extradition hearing - video 3. Today's media stories from the papers 4. WikiLeaks: Julian Assange claims to have Rupert Murdoch 'insurance files' 5. Jeremy Hunt resigned to judicial challenge over BSkyB bid 6. More zeitgeist What is Zeigeist? What is Zeitgeist? Zeitgeist is an experiment in showing trending news, topics and articles from the Guardian. Find out more in our blog post. Last 24 hours 1. [Thunderbirds-003.jpg] 1. It's not all FAB in the Thunderbirds camp 2. 2. Midsomer spells doom for Indiana Jones 3. 3. Government silent on claim that News Corp's Sky bid will go to Competition Commission 4. 4. Mail on Sunday executive turns to PR 5. 5. Jeremy Hunt: I will review ITV ad rules 6. All today's stories Politics news on Twitter Follow all the top political stories of the day on Twitter with the Guardian and Observer's politics team Auto update every minute On | Off * GdnPolitics GdnPolitics: Conservatives act to stop Labour peers derailing voting referendum bill http://t.co/axDEcuH < 3 days of debates scheduled about 9 minutes ago * datastore datastore: Benefits, public and private sector: welcome to the ultimate local government spreadsheet http://gu.com/p/2mcyg/tf about 23 minutes ago * GdnPolitics GdnPolitics: See our politics liveblog for the latest reactions to Ken Clarke's announcement of three prison closures http://bit.ly/dP8hA3 about 1 hour, 54 minutes ago • Find more politics tweets from our team • Follow our politics team on a Twitter list Bestsellers from the Guardian shop * Classic Alex Book Lights * Classic Alex Book Lights * For controllable flexible lighting, as recommended by opticians. * From: £99.99 * Visit the Guardian reader offers shop * Green & ethical shopping at Guardian ecostore Latest news on guardian.co.uk Last updated less than one minute ago * News Hundreds killed and 1,000 missing in Brazil landslides Guardian Bookshop This week's bestsellers 1. Mennonite in a Little Black Dress 1. Mennonite in a Little Black Dress by Rhoda Janzen £7.19 2. 2. Alone in Berlin by Hans Fallada £7.99 3. 3. Treasure Islands by Nicholas Shaxson £11.99 4. 4. Ultimate Guide to Mad Men by Will Dean £6.99 5. 5. How to Live by Sarah Bakewell £7.19 Search the Guardian bookshop ____________________ (Submit) Search Sponsored features * * More from Peter Wilby on the press * Latest: 13 Jul 2009: How the press responded to the tabloid phone-hacking scandal * Next: 30 Jul 2007: Peter Wilby: Up to our necks in hype * Previous: 2 Jul 2007: On the press: Peter Wilby on Harriet Harman's election as Labour's deputy leader Peter Wilby on the press index Related information Media * Newspapers & magazines World news * Iraq · * Middle East Politics * Alastair Campbell No 10 denies Campbell departure claim 25 Jul 2003 Downing Street today moved to seal off speculation about Alastair Campbell's future, dismissing a BBC report that the government's head of communications would leave his post in the autumn. * 8 Jul 2003 'And in conclusion, we have not come to a conclusion' * 9 Jul 2003 BBC rejects deal on naming dossier source * 14 Jul 2003 Is Phil Bassett the new Alastair Campbell? * 18 Jul 2003 Timeline: Dr David Kelly Campbell 'disturbed and dangerous', says journalist 21 Jul 2003 12.45pm: Alastair Campbell is 'out of control', according to the Mail on Sunday's deputy editor following a bruising face-to-face encounter with the No 10 spin chief. By Julia Day. * Hot topics * Television industry * Newspapers & magazines * Digital media * Guardian archive * License/buy our content | * Privacy policy | * Terms & conditions | * Advertising guide | * Accessibility | * A-Z index | * Inside guardian.co.uk blog | * About guardian.co.uk | * Join our dating site today * guardian.co.uk © Guardian News and Media Limited 2011 #ESPN Search EDITIONS: * USA * DEPORTES * + More + Asia + Australia + Brazil + United Kingdom CITIES: * BOSTON * CHICAGO * DALLAS * LOS ANGELES * NEW YORK ESPNNFL Playoffs 2007 Shop ____________________ Submit Click Here 880362 * Share * IFRAME: http://pro.tweetmeme.com/button.js?url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs07/news/story?id=3227245&style=compact Updated: February 2, 2008, 7:03 PM ET Report: Source claims Patriots taped Rams before Super Bowl * Email * Print * Comments ESPN.com news services [hu_080202nfl_scanalysis1v.jpg] How Serious Are The Spygate Allegations? How Serious Are The Spygate Allegations? How Serious Are The Spygate Allegations? VIDEO PLAYLIST video * How Serious Are The Spygate Allegations? How Serious Are The Spygate Allegations? How Serious Are The Spygate Allegations? * The Latest on the "Spygate" Scandal The Latest on the "Spygate" Scandal The Latest on the "Spygate" Scandal An unnamed source has claimed a New England Patriots employee secretly videotaped the St. Louis Rams' pregame walk-through the day before Super Bowl XXXVI, the Boston Herald reported Saturday. According to the report, an unnamed source close to the team during the 2001 season said that following the Patriots' walk-through at the Louisiana Superdome, a member of the team's video staff stayed behind and taped the Rams' walk-through -- a non-contact, no-pads practice at reduced speed in which a team goes through its plays. The cameraman was not asked to identify himself or produce a press pass and later rode the media shuttle back to the Patriots' hotel, the source told the Herald. It is not known what became of the tape, or whether the cameraman made the tape on his own initiative or at someone else's instruction, according to the report. Mike Martz, who was St. Louis' head coach during the Super Bowl game in question, spoke to ESPN.com investigative reporter Mike Fish about the allegations. "I hope that is not true," Martz said. "I have great respect for [Patriots head coach] Bill Belichick. It's hard to believe that is true. It's a serious allegation and I hope it is not true. "Obviously if there is enough substance to it the league should look into it.'' In responding to the report, Patriots media relations official Stacey James said, "The coaches have no knowledge of it," according to the Herald. The next day, the Patriots upset the favored Rams 20-17 for their first Super Bowl championship. New England will play the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII on Sunday in a bid to become the first NFL team to finish a season 19-0. Former Rams quarterback Kurt Warner, currently with the Arizona Cardinals, told Fish that if the league has heard those claims, he is surprised it has not spoken to former Patriots video department employee Matt Walsh. He said if Walsh or any other source has information, it should be investigated. Walsh, a former Patriots video assistant, has suggested to ESPN.com that he has information that could have exposed the Patriots prior to the NFL catching New England taping the New York Jets' defensive signals during the 2007 season opener. The Patriots were fined $750,000 and lost a first-round draft pick as punishment. "If I had a reason to want to go public, or tell a story, I could have done it before it even broke," Walsh told ESPN.com. "I could have said everything rather than having [Jets coach Eric] Mangini be the one to bring it out. "If they're doing a thorough investigation -- they didn't contact me. So draw your own conclusions. Maybe they felt they didn't need to. Maybe the league feels they got satisfactory answers from everything the Patriots sent them." Told of the newest allegation, NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told The Associated Press on Saturday: "We were aware of the rumor months ago and looked into it. There was no evidence of it on the tapes or in the notes produced by the Patriots, and the Patriots told us it was not true." James reiterated that sentiment. "The suggestion that the New England Patriots recorded the St. Louis Rams' walk-through on the day before Super Bowl XXXVI is absolutely false," James said. "Any suggestion to the contrary is untrue." Rams spokesman Rick Smith, reading a statement from team president John Shaw, said, "At this point, we have no comment." Walsh, 31, now an assistant golf pro at the Ka'anapli Golf Resort in Lahaina, Hawaii, worked for the Patriots from 1996 until the winter of 2002-03, when he was fired. He has hinted to ESPN.com that he has information that could be damaging to both the league and the Patriots but has declined to make it available, saying it could be seen as stolen property. Walsh said he is fearful of potential legal action against him by either the league or the Patriots if he details what he knows. He refused to provide evidence of potential wrongdoing unless ESPN agreed to pay his legal fees related to his involvement in the story, as well as to an indemnity that would cover any damages found against him in court. ESPN denied his requests. On Friday, Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., said he had written NFL commissioner Roger Goodell seeking an explanation as to why evidence in the NFL's investigation of the Patriots videotaping was destroyed. "I am very concerned about the underlying facts on the taping, the reasons for the judgment on the limited penalties and, most of all, on the inexplicable destruction of the tapes," Specter wrote. Specter, the ranking Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said the matter could put the league's antitrust exemption at risk. In a phone interview with The New York Times, which first reported Specter's interest in the matter, he said the committee at some point will call Goodell to address the antitrust exemption as well as the destruction of the tapes. Goodell, in his previously scheduled news conference Friday from Phoenix, said, "I am more than willing to speak with the senator. There are very good explanations why the tapes were destroyed by our staff -- there was no purpose for them." There were six tapes, according to Goodell -- some from the 2007 preseason and the rest from 2006. He said he had them destroyed because he was confident the Patriots had turned over all of the tapes and notes the NFL had requested in its investigation. He also said they were destroyed in order to prevent leaks to the media -- as some footage from one of the tapes was leaked shortly after the story broke. "We wanted to take and destroy that information," Goodell said. "They may have collected it within the rules, but we couldn't determine that. So we felt that it should be destroyed." Belichick had little to add on the subject. "It's a league matter," he said Friday during his news conference. "I don't know anything about it." The Associated Press contributed to this report. ESPN Conversations + Be the First to Comment SPY GAMES [nfl_g_belichick_134.jpg] Former Patriots employee Matt Walsh met with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and Sen. Arlen Specter to discuss Patriots' illegal videotaping. Story More News • Belichick says he made 'mistake' • Herald reporter: Sources never saw tape • Walsh admits he knew it was wrong • Senator wants inquiry | Read it (pdf) • Fish: Would Congress investigate Pats? • Boston Herald apologizes for false report • Clayton: Five things we learned from Spygate • Walsh sends eight tapes to NFL • Fish: Pats stole offensive signs | Timeline • Clayton: Spygate will expire quietly • Former Pats employee sends tapes to league • Fish: NFL faces serious questions • Goodell to punish Pats, depending on evidence • Walsh, NFL to finally talk | Agreement • Goodell growing impatient with Walsh stalemate • Kraft, Belichick apologize to owners • Walsh still working on deal for testimony • Rams player, fans withdraw lawsuit • Spygate revelations might not be imminent • NFL, Walsh close to deal to turn over tapes • Report: Specter calls on Goodell to release letters • Report: Goodell proposes crackdown on cheating • Specter says Pats 'stonewalling' Spygate probe • Committee lauds Goodell's handling of Spygate • Goodell hoping deal to talk to Walsh close to done • Report: Belichick denies Pats taped Rams' drills • Walsh's attorney: NFL indemnity offer falls short • Specter prepared to extend Spygate investigation • Goodell has no regrets about destroying tapes • Source: Specter wants NFL indemnity for witness • Goodell, Specter to discuss Spygate Wednesday Commentary • Mortensen: What were Rams thinking? • Yasinskas: Spygate stench won't go away • Paolantonio: Goodell's Spygate responsibility • Clayton: Spygate closing with a whimper At The Pro Bowl News • Ex-Pats video assistant mum on Spygate probe At The Super Bowl News • Goodell willing to give Pats' Walsh indemnification • Goodell, Specter won't meet until after Pro Bowl • Vermeil doubts spying made difference for Pats • Goodell to meet with Sen. Specter about Spygate • Report: N.E. taped Rams before XXXVI • Fish: Ex-Ram Warner suspicious of Pats • Specter to Goodell: Let's talk • Fish: Possible 'Spygate' witness surfaces Commentary • Once burned, Goodell turns fireman • Munson: Congressional interest is serious business • Pasquarelli: Specter should stick with politics • Clayton: Spy saga won't distract Patriots • Hashmarks at Goodell's news conference Letters • Specter to Goodell (.pdf) • Goodell to Specter (.pdf) From September News • NFL has all materials from Pats in spying scandal • NFL reviews how tape leaked to Fox • Belichick to turn over materials in spying probe • Pats owner perturbed by Belichick's spy games • Goodell orders Pats to turn over all video • Sources: Patriots give Belichick extension • Wilson spies inconsistencies in Belichick case • NFL fines Belichick $500K, Pats $250K for spying • Bill Belichick's apology to Patriots community • Clayton Q&A: Patriots can survive this penalty • Two days later, Belichick still won't comment • Some Eagles question Pats' tactics in Super Bowl • Belichick issues apology amid accusations • Sources: Goodell determines Patriots broke rules Commentary • Clayton: NFL penalty for Belichick, Pats too light • Mosley: Pats lose first-rounder? Roger that • Scouts Inc.: What the Pats will miss in '08 draft • Chadiha: Legal spying widespread in NFL • Sando: What's legal, what's not in spy game • What they're saying: Players, coaches, pundits • Luksa: Spy stories once had comedic value • Bryant: Belichick deserves two-week banishment • Clayton: Goodell to treat breech seriously • Simmons: The camera doesn't lie • Simmons: Cheating not necessary to win opener Video ESPN Video • What should happen to the Pats? • Belichick deflects videotape-related questions • Former Patriot thinks team should be punished • Reactions from around the league Audio [listen.gif] • Mike Vrabel, Pats linebacker: Don't criticize the players Insider • Chris Mortensen: Situation might motivate the Patriots Insider • Keyshawn: It was 'scouting,' not cheating Insider • Salisbury: Story blown out of proportion Insider SportsNation • Vote: Was New England's punishment fair? • Mixed reader results on NFL spying IFRAME: http://sports.espn.go.com/Adserver?CallDown&AdTypes=InContent_Marketing; MORE NFL HEADLINES * Dolphins to talk to Childress about coaching O * Veteran LB Brooking: One more year left in me * Now, it's personal: Cromartie blasts Brady * Sources: Shurmur leading candidate for Browns * Sanchez practices fully, shoulder 'feeling good' Insider * Rumors: Coaching carousel rolls on * Millman: How to bet on NFL * Kiper: Luck fallout | Top rooks | Picks 1-10 * Joyner: SEA > CHI | Big Ben > Brady * 2011 draft: Big Board | Draft Tracker | Blog MOST SENT STORIES ON ESPN.COM * Schlabach: College football's Way-Too-Early 2011 Top 25 * Now, it's personal: Cromartie blasts Brady * Notre Dame WR Floyd returning for senior year * O'Neil: Gonzaga's Gray finds some answers on life-changing trip to Africa * Snyder says he's changed, Redskins fans' team Most Sent » TOP STORIES FROM ABC NEWS * U.S. Cities Stagger Under Cost of Clearing Record Snowfalls * One in 45 Homes Foreclosed in 2010 * Cracking Down on a Dangerous New High Advertisement 806924 * + SPORTS + NFL + MLB + NBA + NHL + College Football + College Basketball + Soccer + NASCAR * + MORE + Racing + Golf + Tennis + Boxing + MMA + Recruiting + Olympic Sports + Horse Racing * + FANTASY + Football + Baseball + Streak for the Cash + SPORTSNATION + Profiles + Groups + Chats * + VIDEO + Most Recent + Highlights + THE LIFE + Travel + Sports Passport + Arcade + Contests * + TOOLS + Contact Us + Member Services + myESPN + ESPN Alerts + News Wire + Corrections + Daily Line + RSS * + TV LISTINGS + RADIO + PODCENTER + INSIDER + ESPN THE MAGAZINE + SHOP + ESPN3.COM + espnW * MyESPN * NFL * MLB * NBA * NHL * NCAA FB * NCAA BB * NASCAR * SOCCER * GOLF * TENNIS * BOXING * MMA * MORE SPORTS * RADIO& MORE * PAGE 2& COMMENTARY * FANTASY& GAMES * WATCH * NFL Home * Scores * Schedule * Standings * Stats * Teams AFC East Buffalo Bills Miami Dolphins NE Patriots New York Jets AFC West Denver Broncos Kansas City Chiefs Oakland Raiders San Diego Chargers AFC North Baltimore Ravens Cincinnati Bengals Cleveland Browns Pittsburgh Steelers AFC South Houston Texans Indianapolis Colts Jacksonville Jaguars Tennessee Titans NFC East Dallas Cowboys New York Giants Philadelphia Eagles Washington Redskins NFC West Arizona Cardinals San Francisco 49ers Seattle Seahawks St. Louis Rams NFC North Chicago Bears Detroit Lions Green Bay Packers Minnesota Vikings NFC South Atlanta Falcons Carolina Panthers New Orleans Saints Tampa Bay Bucs * Players * 2011 draft * Injuries * Odds * Trans * Blog * Rumors * Resources Injury report Attendance Coaches 2010 draft picks Free Agents Insider Pick Center Insider Season Performances Super Bowl MVPs Super Bowl winners Transactions Weekly Leaders Power Rankings 2010 Season Preview 2010 Hall of Fame Scouting Reports MN HQ Coach Ratings NFL Local Super Bowl XLIV '09 playoff results 2010 Key Dates 2010 home, away opponents * Tickets ESPN.com: Help | PR Media Kit | Advertise On ESPN.com | Sales Media Kit | Interest-Based Ads | Corrections | Contact Us | Site Map | Shop | Jobs at ESPN | Supplier Information ©2011 ESPN Internet Ventures. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and Safety Information/Your California Privacy Rights are applicable to you. All rights reserved. #Edit this page Wikipedia (en) copyright Wikipedia Atom feed Protection of sources From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search The protection of sources, sometimes also referred to as the confidentiality of sources or in the U.S. as the reporter's privilege, is a right accorded to journalists under the laws of many countries, as well as under international law. Simply put, it means that the authorities, including the courts, cannot compel a journalist to reveal the identity of an anonymous source for a story. The right is based on a recognition that without a strong guarantee of anonymity, many people would be deterred from coming forward and sharing information of public interests with journalists. As a result, problems such as corruption or crime might go undetected and unchallenged, to the ultimate detriment of society as a whole. Contents * 1 Examples * 2 International law * 3 References * 4 See also * 5 External links [edit] Examples A famous instance of the use of an anonymous source is the series of articles by Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein which uncovered the Watergate Scandal, ultimately leading to the resignation of US President Richard Nixon. Woodward and Bernstein relied extensively on information provided by someone known to the world only under the nickname Deep Throat. Only in 2005 did W. Mark Felt, who at the time had been Associate Director of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation, reveal that he was "Deep Throat". Woodward and Bernstein were not forced to invoke the protection of sources, since the US authorities made no attempt to uncover the identity of "Deep Throat". An example of the legal operation of the right is the case of Bart Mos and Joost de Haas, of the Dutch daily De Telegraaf. In an article in January 2006, the two journalists alleged the existence of a leak in the Dutch secret services and quoted from what they claimed was an official dossier on Mink Kok, a notorious criminal. They further alleged that the dossier in question had fallen into the hands of Kok himself. A subsequent police investigation led to the prosecution of Paul H., an agent accused of selling the file in question. Upon motions by the prosecution and the defence, the investigative judge in the case ordered the disclosure of the source for the news story, on the grounds that it was necessary to safeguard national security and ensure a fair trial for H. The two journalists were subsequently detained for refusing to comply with the disclosure order, but were released on appeal after three days, on November 30. The Hague district court considered that the national security interest served by the order was minor and should not prevail over the protection of sources.^[1] [edit] International law Various authorities in international law point to a recognition that a right to protection of sources is implicit in the right to freedom of expression. In Europe, the European Court of Human Rights stated in the 1996 case of Goodwin v. United Kingdom that "[p]rotection of journalistic sources is one of the basic conditions for press freedom ... Without such protection, sources may be deterred from assisting the press in informing the public on matters of public interest. As a result the vital public-watchdog role of the press may be undermined and the ability of the press to provide accurate and reliable information may be adversely affected."^[2] The Court concluded that absent "an overriding requirement in the public interest", an order to disclose sources would violate the guarantee of free expression in Article 10^[3] of the European Convention on Human Rights. In the wake of Goodwin, the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers issued a Recommendation to its member states on how to implement the protection of sources in their domestic legislation.^[4] The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe has also called on states to respect the right.^[5] In the Americas, protection of sources has been recognised in the Inter-American Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression^[6], which states in Principle 8 that "every social communicator has the right to keep his/her source of information, notes, personal and professional archives confidential." In Africa, the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights has adopted a Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression in Africa which includes a right to protection of sources under Principle XV.^[7] [edit] References 1. ^ 'Dutch court releases 2 reporters jailed for refusing to reveal their sources' - International Herald Tribune, November 30, 2006 2. ^ European Court of Human Rights decision in Goodwin v. UK 3. ^ Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights 4. ^ Recommendation No. R (2000)7 of the Committee of Ministers to Member States on the right of journalists not to disclose their sources of information 5. ^ Concluding Document of the 1986 Vienna Meeting of Representatives of the Participating States of the Conference of Security and Co-operation in Europe 6. ^ Inter-American Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression 7. ^ Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression in Africa [edit] See also * Confidentiality * Mental reservation (a form of deception which does not involves outright lying) * Shield laws in the United States [edit] External links * ECtHR case law factsheet on the protection of journalistic sources * Amicus Curiae brief in Goodwin v. United Kingdom, providing an overview of European domestic law on protection of sources - ARTICLE 19 and Interights Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protection_of_sources" Categories: Journalism sourcing Personal tools * Log in / create account Namespaces * Article * Discussion Variants Views * Read * Edit * View history Actions Search ____________________ (Submit) Search Navigation * Main page * Contents * Featured content * Current events * Random article * Donate to Wikipedia Interaction * Help * About Wikipedia * Community portal * Recent changes * Contact Wikipedia Toolbox * What links here * Related changes * Upload file * Special pages * Permanent link * Cite this page Print/export * Create a book * Download as PDF * Printable version Languages * Ελληνικά * Suomi * עברית * Svenska * This page was last modified on 10 December 2010 at 21:31. * Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply. See Terms of Use for details. Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization. * Contact us * Privacy policy * About Wikipedia * Disclaimers * Powered by MediaWiki * Wikimedia Foundation Confidential Sources One of the major stories for newspaper journalists and press critics in 2005 was the role of anonymous sourcing. Much of the discussion came in the aftermath of Judith Miller’s imprisonment and the controversy that surrounded the way both Miller and her newspaper, The New York Times, acted to preserve the anonymity of her government sources. Earlier, there had been controversy over the paper’s reporting on WMDs in Iraq , much of it, including work by Miller, also based on anonymous sourcing. And heading into 2006, both the House of Representatives and the Senate were debating federal shield laws that would ensure journalists privilege to keep their sources confidential unless there were threats to the country’s national security. As of early February 2006, the bills were awaiting committee hearings.6 [1] What are the public’s attitudes toward confidential sources? Overall, survey research suggests public support for using them, though perhaps case by case. Despite broad support in general, the public raises concerns about the accuracy of stories that rely on confidential sources. Nearly 6 in 10 (59%) agree that reporters should keep their sources secret even when ordered by a court to reveal them, according to survey research conducted almost immediately after the D.C. Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals ruled against both Matt Cooper of Time Magazine and Judith Miller.7 [2] Moreover, just 19% say reporters should always reveal their sources, which suggests most of the public understands the societal benefits of confidential sources.8 [3] Still, the public expresses some concern about the potential impact of relying on anonymous sources. According to the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press, a majority, 52%, believe it is “too risky” for news organizations to use unnamed sources because it can result in faulty or unreliable information. But 44% thought it was “okay” to do so.9 [4] Other research found that 9 in 10 (89%) think it’s wise to question the accuracy of news stories that include anonymous sources.10 [5] Finally, a small majority supports the passage of a federal shield law — 55% —while fully 87% of journalists show support.11 [6] < Go to Previous Page [7]Go to First Page [8]Go to Next Page > [9] _________________________________________________________________ #OpEdNews Articles [oenearthlogo.gif] ___________ Go Send a Tweet __________ Site Web Login Submit Content Sign Up Log Out Most Popular Masthead FAQs / Help Site Map About Contact Rob's Blog Article Archives Member Archives Groups Congress Pages Writer Guidelines Free News Box RSS Feed Calendar Directory Media-News Govt-Politics Issues-Advocacy Money-Business Technology Life-Home-Family Health Science-Nature Society-Culture Reference Advertising Options Most Popular Diaries Polls-Voting Events Life-Arts-Science Calendar Donate Volunteer Ways to Help Hot News Obama Election Integrity LGBT Media Biz- Econ Edges Govt Religions Life/Arts Security WMDs Terror Rights Justice Democracy Health Vets Military War Torture Guantanamo Food/Farming Mideast Iran Iraq Afg Pa Mid East Eco Enviro Activism Community education Wikileaks GIffords Shooting Refresh Tag(s): UFOs; UN United Nations; United Nations Add to My Group March 26, 2008 at 06:47:22 View Ratings | Rate It (5 comments) Permalink Anonymous Source Revealing Secret United Nations Meeting on ETs/UFOs Becomes More Credible FACEBOOK submit to twitter submit to reddit submit to yahoo buzz submit to digg [2006-hawaii-conference-7680-20070907-1.jpg] [printer_friendly.gif] Tell A Friend SAVE AS FAVORITE VIEW FAVORITES Get Embed HTML Code By Michael Salla (about the author) Page 1 of 1 page(s) Become a Fan Become a Fan (1 fan) opednews.com [get.media?sid=48406&m=6&tp=8&d=s&c=1] For OpEdNews: Michael Salla - Writer Veteran UFO researcher Robert VanDerClock has confirmed that he has met with and seen the credentials of an anonymous source who disclosed that a secret UN meeting had taken place on February 12 that discussed UFOs and extraterrestrial life. In a February 13 article first announcing the secret UN meeting, the anonymous source disclosed that the meeting was called in response to national governments concerns about increases in global UFO sightings. In a later article, the anonymous source, henceforth referred to as “Source A”, disclosed a time table existed for full disclosure of extraterrestrial life by 2017. In a phone interview conducted with me on March 25, VanDerClock confirmed that he had met with Source A approximately one year earlier. At the time, Source A was accompanied by the same two New York researchers, Clay and Shawn Pickering, who were responsible for the initial release of information concerning the February 12 meeting. At their meeting one year ago, VanDerClock personally reviewed the military credentials of Source A that were, in VanDerClock’s opinion, “impeccable”. Source A showed Vanderclock an album of his military service in classified facilities. This helps confirm some of the claims of Source A of having worked in classified facilities where he was exposed to projects involving extraterrestrial technology and life. Source A possessed, for example, a classified document he obtained in 1982 that detailed retrieval operations for crashed extraterrestrial vehicles that was another version of the famed Special Operations Manual that publicly emerged in 1994. VanDerClock’s confirmation of Source A’s military background and service in highly classified facilities is significant since Source A claims he was instructed to brief the UN meeting on UFO sightings and extraterrestrial life under extraordinary security procedures. Source A had claimed that he was authorized leak information about the UN meeting, prior to its occurrence, by his superior, an undisclosed Navy admiral to the general public. The Pickering brothers claimed to have received the information on February 11, and relayed the information to me on February 12, soon after the meeting had taken place. According to VanDerClock, Source A is very reliable and there is no reason to doubt what he has disclosed so far. VanDerClock believes Source A is being directed to release information by an admiral as Source A claims. Asked where he would place Source A in terms of a hypothetical credibility scale from zero to 100, VanDerClock replied, around 92%. Vanderclock ranks Source A’s testimony very highly, and ranks him among the three most important whistleblowers he has come across. He places Source A alongside former military intelligence officer Lt Col. Philip Corso, Snr, and former NASA rocket specialist, Clark McClelland, as the three most significant ‘insiders’ to so far have revealed accurate information on UFOs and extraterrestrial life. Vanderclock was therefore highly confident that the secret UN meeting on UFOs/extraterrestrials occurred on February 12 as claimed by Source A. Bob VanDerClock has been researching UFO’s for 15 years and has done 76 public lectures and written several research papers. He served for three years in the U.S. military as an Army Intelligence agent during the Vietnam War performing military intelligence duties. He is currently a postmaster in the U.S. Postal Service. More info available here. VanDerClock stated that he is willing to sign an affidavit confirming his meeting and review of Source A’s credentials. VanDerClock’s testimony corroborates another researcher who also met with Source A and reviewed his credentials subsequent to the February 12 meeting. Robert Morningstar, Associate Editor of UFO Digest and a Vice Commander in the US Coast Guard Reserve, also confirmed Source A’s credentials, and believes Source A is truthfully disclosing events as they have occurred. Consequently, VanDerClock has provided additional independent corroboration of the initial claims of the Pickering brothers concerning Source A’s military background, and his background in classified projects. This helps further establish the credibility of Source A’s original claims that he was responsible for a briefing to the UN on UFOs and extraterrestrial life, and had been authorized to disclose this to the general public. www.exopolitics.org Dr. Michael Salla is an internationally recognized scholar in international politics, conflict resolution, US foreign policy and the new field of 'exopolitics'. He is author/editor of five books; and held academic appointments in the School of (more...) The views expressed in this article are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of this website or its editors. [bulletmail.gif] Contact Author [bulletmail.gif] Contact Editor [bulletarchive.gif] View Authors' Articles Share this page: (what's this?) Tell a Friend: Tell A Friend FACEBOOK DIGG THIS Add This Page to Mr Wong! [newstrust.gif] NEWSVINE DEl.ICIO.US Looksmart Furl NETSCAPE My Web Tag!RawSugar Blink List (More...) Comments The time limit for entering new comments on this article has expired. This limit can be removed. Our paid membership program is designed to give you many benefits, such as removing this time limit. To learn more, please click here. Comments: (_) Expand (_) Shrink (_) Hide 5 comments To view all comments: Expand Comments (Or you can set your preferences to show all comments, always) Refresh ANOMYMOUS AND LEGITIMATE SOURCES by Alien Casebook on Wednesday, Mar 26, 2008 at 2:14:31 PM Anonymous Sources Coming Forward by Dr Michael Salla on Wednesday, Mar 26, 2008 at 5:49:34 PM Clayton Pickering by Alien Casebook on Thursday, Mar 27, 2008 at 6:57:55 AM Don't harp about UFO's, BUILD UFO's! by truthtruffle on Wednesday, Mar 26, 2008 at 11:33:36 PM Heres a reason why by BrokenWolfs on Thursday, Mar 27, 2008 at 6:03:31 PM _________________________________________________________________ How would you rate this? [close.gif] You must be logged in (if signed up) to do ratings. ______________________________________________________________________ It's free to signup! And easy. And takes just a minute or two.... Click Here to Login (or Signup) View Ratings [close.gif] Here are the current ratings ______________________________________________________________________ [must read.gif] Must Read (0) [well said.gif] Well Said (0) [news.gif] News (0) [touching.gif] Touching (0) [funny.gif] Funny (0) [supported.gif] Supported (0) [interesting.gif] Interesting (0) [inspiring.gif] Inspiring (0) [valuable.gif] Valuable (0) Tell a Friend: Tell A Friend _________________________________________________________________ Copyright © 2002-2011, OpEdNews Powered by Populum Quantcast Quantcast Archives Subscriptions RSS Feeds Site Map ePaper Mobile Social SEARCH ____________________ GO Return to frontpage Home News Opinion Sport Business Arts Life & Style S & T Education Health Classifieds Today's Paper Topics International National States Cities: [ .................] News » International Sana’a, January 21, 2010 Yemen will not allow foreign troops on its soil: official source DPA Share · print · T+ · T- Yemeni soldiers checks drivers identity cards and searches for weapons, at a checkpoint in capital San'a. The official source said Yemen “will not accept any terrorist on its soil”. Photo: AP AP Yemeni soldiers checks drivers identity cards and searches for weapons, at a checkpoint in capital San'a. The official source said Yemen “will not accept any terrorist on its soil”. Photo: AP Yemen will not allow any foreign troops on its territory to fight al-Qaeda, a government official source said in remarks published on Thursday. “Yemen has never and will never accept any foreign troops on its territories,” the source said, quoted by the Defence Ministry’s weekly newspaper, the 26 September. The remarks come a week ahead of an international conference on Yemen due to be held in London on January 27. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has called for the meeting to discuss how to counter radicalization and the al-Qaeda threat in Yemen. The Yemeni source said that “fighting terrorism is a Yemeni interest in the first instance.” He said the Arab country “will continue its unabated open war against the terrorist elements and outlaws and it is capable of pursuing those terrorist elements,” the unnamed source said. The source also said Yemen “will not accept any terrorist on its soil” and that the country “will not become a safe haven for terrorists.” Yemeni Prime Minister Ali Mujawar will represent Yemen in the gathering that will bring together representatives from governments of 21 countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Arab Gulf, Russia, Germany, Spain, France, Canada, Italy and the Netherlands. Keywords: Yemen, terrorism, al Qaeda, foreign troops, Gordon Brown Related NEWS Attempt on British envoy's life in Yemen TOPICS World Yemen crime, law and justice terrorism (crime) unrest, conflicts and war act of terror Email the Editor [EMBED] _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Slideshow Day In Pictures - January 13, 2010 Subaru kicks up a storm in the Dakar rally, Telangana lawyers protest with roses, Obama mourns victims of the shooting rampage, a humpback whale surfaces off Mexico. A selection of images from India and around the world. more slideshows » Latest in this section Pak to block anti-Islam websites Lebanon’s President taps fallen Lebanese government for caretaker role UN vehicle ablaze in Abidjan area: Ivory Coast Russia protests U.S. treatment of arms suspect’s wife Day In Pictures - January 13, 2010 Confucius shows up on Tiananmen Square China, Tajikistan sign border agreement 21 dead, 270,000 homeless in Sri Lankan floods Turkish PM: Israel must remove foreign minister Australians warned not to return to flooded homes Most Popular Most Commented Lights out as Brisbane awaits deadly flood Brazil slides toll up, survivors tell of horrors Polarised nation needs healing: Obama Australians warned not to return to flooded homes ‘No Indian casualties in Australian floods’ India-U.S. ties not targeted against Pakistan: Biden Russia blames Polish crew for crash 21 dead, 270,000 homeless in Sri Lankan floods 20 killed in Pakistan blast Lebanon's government falls as Hizbollah pulls out _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Today's Paper Today's Paper ePaper This Day That Age Crossword Archives Obituary Group Sites The Hindu Business Line Sportstar Images Frontline _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ The Hindu About Us Contacts Archives Subscriptions RSS Feeds Site Map Home News Opinion Sport Business Arts Life & Style S & T Education Health Classifieds Today's Paper Topics Group Sites The Hindu Business Line Sportstar Frontline Publications eBooks Images Disclaimer: The Hindu is not responsible for the content of external internet sites. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu. Comments to : web.thehindu@thehindu.co.in Copyright © 2011, The Hindu #News Africa Extended Soccer Soccer Extended RSS Most Commmented Stories Most Viewed Stories Home Page Extended Sport Extended Sport Rugby Extended Sport Cricket Extended News Back Page Extended News South Africa Extended News World Extended Sport Golf Extended Western Cape Extended News Gauteng Extended News KwaZulu-Natal Extended News Western Cape Category RSS News Gauteng Category RSS News South Africa Category RSS News Politics Category RSS News Crime and Courts Category RSS News Category RSS News Mpumalanga Category RSS News Limpopo Category RSS News Eastern Cape Category RSS News North West Category RSS News Northern Cape Category RSS News KwaZulu-Natal Category RSS News Free State Category RSS News Africa Category RSS News World Category RSS News Back Page Category RSS News Mandela Category RSS News Mandela Mandela and People Category RSS News Mandela Charities Category RSS News Mandela Words and Deeds Category RSS News Mandela Acc olades Category RSS News Mandela Birthdays Category RSS News Mandela Timeline Category RSS News Mandela Tributes Category RSS News Zuma Category RSS News Selebi Category RSS News Zimbabwe Category RSS News Science Extended Category RSS News Priority RSS News Crime & Courts Priority RSS News Politics Priority RSS News South Africa Priority RSS News Africa Priority RSS News World Priority RSS News Back Page Priority RSS News Mandela Priority RSS News Zuma Priority RSS News Selebi Priority RSS News Zimbabwe Priority RSS [adserv|3.0|585|2736893|0|770|ADTECH;loc=300;key=key1+key2+key3+key4;grp=12345] IOL Newsletters Sign up now Sponsored Links: * Business Directory Business Directory * World Travel World Holiday and Travel Fair * Maps & Directions Maps & Directions * * * IOL Sport Jan13 Rogge IOC wants WC discussions with Fifa IOL Sport Jan13 Rogge Wendy Machanik Properties case postponed IOL Sport Jan13 Rogge Maritz, Mordt lead Joburg Open IOL Sport Jan13 Rogge SA Zionist Federation not against Tutu IOL Sport Jan13 Rogge Madrid trying to lure Klose iol_news5 Matric Results 2010 Matric Results 2010 Online... Matric Deploma 2010 ____________ [All Channels....] Search Advanced Search IOL - logo Home * News * Business * Sport * Motoring * Tonight * Lifestyle * SciTech * Multimedia * Blogs * Newspapers * Classifieds * Property * Crime & Courts * Politics * South Africa * Africa * World * Back Page * Special Features * Matric Results 2010 * Western Cape * Gauteng * Mpumalanga * Limpopo * Eastern Cape * North West * Northern Cape * KwaZulu-Natal * Free State * Nelson Mandela * The Zuma Era * Zimbabwe Government targets journalists' sources July 26 2010 at 04:12pm _________________________________________________________________ By Staff Reporter and Sapa The government was finalising proposals on a section of the Criminal Procedure Act that could force journalists to reveal confidential sources, Minister of Justice Jeff Radebe told the SA National Editors Forum (Sanef). Addressing Sanef's AGM on Saturday night, Radebe emphasised that the government would not treat the media in the way it was treated during the apartheid years. "As a Minister of Justice I want to assure you that any 'new' law must be in conformity with the constitution," he said, referring to the constitution's media freedom clauses. There is growing media concern at the ANC's proposed state-appointed media appeal tribunal to adjudicate complaints against the press, as well as the restriction of the access protection bill. Radebe said he expected the ANC to announce by Wednesday, its decisions and proposals. Referring to discussions about Section 205 of the Criminal Procedure Act and other sections affecting journalists, Radebe said they were finalising their proposals. Sanef expressed its "strong rejection" of renewed proposals for a state-appointed tribunal as well as a number of proposed new laws that it says are "hostile" to the free flow of information to South Africans. "The proposed tribunal would go against the self-regulation system that involves the media and members of the public, and would be unconstitutional," Sanef said. The forum expressed its support for the Press Council Code of Conduct and urged editors to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to violations. The tribunal proposal would be tabled at the ANC's National General Council in September, Sanef was told. Sanef resolved to work with like-minded groups in a campaign for public support for media freedom. The Press Council and Press Ombudsman system, "deals effectively with public complaints", Sanef said. SA Football Association president Kirsten Nematandani, a guest at Sanef's AGM, reiterate the commitment Safa gave Parliament last year that the World Cup would have a lasting legacy for South Africa. "We also pledged to establish a culture of accountability and to rid Safa of the nepotism and cronyism which had established itself at the highest levels of football," he said. He urged traditionally rugby-playing schools to introduce football and let children decide whether they wanted to play football or rugby. He said Safa would explore with government departments how football could be taken to as many schools as possible. "In years gone by, football games at mainly black schools drew big crowds. Some of that passion is gone and we need to regain it," Nematandani said. "I think we should also take a leaf from the book of rugby-playing white schools. They're doing something right because they draw big crowds, sometimes bigger than at PSL games." "We are not too shy to say that we can and want to learn. This is why we look forward to how you report on us, because we are in this together." Sanef elected a new leadership at the AGM, with Avusa editor-in-chief Mondli Makanya taking over as chairperson from The Star's deputy editor Jovial Rantao, and Mary Papayya, Bureau Chief of Sowetan in KwaZulu-Natal, voted deputy chairperson. Group deputy political editor of Independent Newspapers Moshoeshoe Monare was elected secretary-general, while Juanita Williams who joins Zoopy.com as news editor in August, was re-elected Sanef treasurer. Share | Facebook icon Facebook Twitter icon Twitter Google icon Google Yahoo icon Yahoo Reddit icon Reddit del.icio.us icon del.icio.us Email Print [logo.gif] email a friend If you want to email this page to more than one person, just put a semicolon ";" between the email addresses. Your name __________________ Your e-mail ____________________ Recepient’s name __________________ Recepient’s e-mail ____________________ [_] Send me a copy as well Message ______________________________ ______________________________ ______________________________ ______________________________ send * Rate this article + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 * [INS: Average reader rating :INS] (0 votes) 0 Stars * Most Viewed * Most Commented * Big day for Grade R, Grade 1 learners [icons_pics_gray_bg.gif] * Mbeki was behind Cope - WikiLeaks * Winnie was sworn at, says bodyguard * Officers killed as Gbagbo army opens fire [icons_pics_gray_bg.gif] * Dagga, booze on first school day * Mbeki was behind Cope - WikiLeaks * ‘It’s land reform - or revolution’ * Dagga, booze on first school day * Mbeki-Cope link untrue - professor * Support still pouring in for Tutu Join us on IOL-Social networks IOL-Social networks IOL-Social networks Mobile on m.iol.co.za IOL-Social networks Newsletters Subscribe IOL-Social networks RSS feeds Subscribe [adserv|3.0|585|2736894|0|170|ADTECH;loc=300;key=key1+key2+key3+key4;grp=12345] Sponsored Links * Business Directory * Book a flight * Compare and save * Life Insurance * Foreign Exchange * Personal Loans * Property * Life Investments * Car Insurance * Insurance for Women * Maps & Directions * Medical Aid * Property for Sale * Online Shopping * Property * Dating * Classifieds * Motors IFRAME: http://www.iolproperty.co.za/featured_property.jsp?type=new_home IFRAME: http://www.ioldating.co.za/s/feed/featured.php Whether you are a buyer or seller, wegotads is your online marketplace. Wegotads » Buying a car has never been easy. Motoring.co.za contains a large database of car listings with a user friendly search. Start searching today » [adserv|3.0|585|2736896|0|170|ADTECH;loc=300;key=key1+key2+key3+key4;grp=12345] [adserv|3.0|585|2866215|0|632|ADTECH;loc=300;key=key1+key2+key3+key4;grp=12345] Mobile Find out more about m.iol.co.za and personalise your phone with the latest downloads. Mobile Image IOL Travel Make sure you find the best available airfares with our easy-to-use search engine. Travel_pic_enw Business Directory IFRAME: a7374dde IFRAME: a03cfd49 IFRAME: aadea0e8 IFRAME: a91ab3e0 IFRAME: a0704989 IFRAME: a3dba7b5 [adserv|3.0|585|2736895|0|770|ADTECH;loc=300;key=key1+key2+key3+key4;grp=12345] You are here: IOL | Breaking News | South Africa News | World News | Sport | Business | Entertainment | IOL.co.za / News / Politics / Government targets journalists' sources IOL-Services We like to make your life easier IOL - RSS Feeds RSS feeds Subscribe to one of our feeds and receive instant news. IOL - Mobile Mobile Browse IOL on your phone at m.iol.co.za. IOL - Headlights Newsletters Subscribe to our newsletters. News delivered to your inbox! IOL - Headlights Twitter Join us now IOL - Headlights Facebook Join us now About IOL Independent Group Feedback Contact Us Advertising Sitemap Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy DMMA Footer_ACAP Press_council © 1999 - 2011 Independent Online. All rights strictly reserved. Independent Online is a wholly owned subsidiary of Independent News and Media. Reliance on the information this site contains is at your own risk. Independent Newspapers subscribes to the South African Press Code that prescribes news that is truthful, accurate, fair and balanced. If we don't live up to the Code please contact the Press Ombudsman at 011 484 3612/8. FAIR logo image map Sign Up for FAIR's Email List: __________ ____________________ Submit FAIR WebStore | Subscribe to Extra! | Donate to FAIR __________ Search [adv search] Issue Area: Official Agendas Despite the claims that the press has an adversarial relationship with the government, in truth U.S. media generally follow Washington's official line. This is particularly obvious in wartime and in foreign policy coverage, but even with domestic controversies, the spectrum of debate usually falls in the relatively narrow range between the leadership of the Democratic and Republican parties. The owners and managers of dominant media outlets generally share the background, worldview and income bracket of political elites. Top news executives and celebrity reporters frequently socialize with government officials. The most powerful media companies routinely make large contributions to both major political parties, while receiving millions of dollars in return in the form of payments for running political ads. In this incestuous culture, "news" is defined chiefly as the actions and statements of people in power. Reporters, dependent on "access" and leaks provided by official sources, are too often unwilling to risk alienating these sources with truly critical coverage. Nor are corporate media outlets interested in angering the elected and bureaucratic officials who have the power to regulate their businesses. Next in What's Wrong With the News: Telecommunications Policy Extra Articles and Studies Fox News--Wing of the GOP?: More like a Republican slugging arm (December 2009) By Steve Rendall Whitewashing the Colombian Army: CBS Evening News takes cues from Washington (October 2009) By Steve Rendall Congo Ignored, Not Forgotten: When 5 million dead aren't worth two stories a year (May 2009) By Julie Hollar More... Less... Media Push an Unpopular Trade `Centrism': Contradictory counsel for Obama (September/October 2008) By Roger Bybee David Brooks vs. the Real World: Columnist dreams up his own reality (September/October 2008) By Steve Rendall Network News Blackout on Pentagon Pundits (Update June 2008) By Isabel Macdonald Journalists 'Humbled' but Unrepentant: Despite Iraq disaster, questioning authority still taboo (November/December 2007) By Robert Parry and Sam Parry and Nat Parry From Self-Censorship to Official Censorship: Ban on images of wounded GIs raises no media objections (March/April 2007) By Pat Arnow Can You Hear Us NOW?: Anti-war march gets more coverage--but the message is still muted (March/April 2007) By Frances Cerra Whittelsey Sidebar: Hannity Finds the Hate (March/April 2007) By Frances Cerra Whittelsey Back to the Future in Nicaragua: Can U.S. media forgive Ortega for Washington's attacks on him? (January/February 2007) By Jim Naureckas Inexplicable Tongue-Lashing (January/February 2007) By Jim Naureckas From Official Claims to Media Reality: Editor's Note (January/February 2007) By Jim Naureckas The Myth of the Muzzled Media (November/December 2006) By Steve Rendall The Repeatedly Re-Elected Autocrat: Painting Chávez as a 'would-be dictator' (November/December 2006) By Steve Rendall Myth: Chávez is Anti-American (November/December 2006) By Steve Rendall Gullibility Begins at Home: NYT accepted false reassurances on Ground Zero safety (November/December 2006) By Julie Hollar Lives in the Balance: Media 'vexed' by civilian deaths in Lebanon (September/October 2006) By Peter Hart Newsworthy and Unnewsworthy Deaths (September/October 2006) By Peter Hart Invisible Violence: Ignoring murder in post-coup Haiti (July/August 2006) By Jeb Sprague If You Don't Like Voters' Views, Just Use Republican Spin Points (Update August 2006) By Peter Hart and Evan Engel Impeachment Not on Media Radar: Adultery was serious; this is just the Constitution (July/August 2006) By Dave Lindorff The Morales Moral: Defy neoliberalism, face media wrath (July/August 2006) By Julie Hollar Intelligence Manipulation at the Washington Post: Editorial page ignores facts to back Bush (May/June 2006) By Peter Hart Good News! The Rich Get Richer: Lack of applause for falling wages is media mystery (March/April 2006) By Janine Jackson Wrong on Iraq? Not Everyone: Four in the mainstream media who got it right (March/April 2006) By Steve Rendall Fear & Favor 2005 -- The Sixth Annual Report: Outside (and inside) influence on the news (March/April 2006) By Julie Hollar and Janine Jackson and Hilary Goldstein Sidebar: Prepackaged News: Straight From the Source, No Journalism Required (March/April 2006) By Janine Jackson Now It's a Chemical Weapon, Now It's Not: White phosphorus and the siege of Fallujah (March/April 2006) By Seth Ackerman A Record of Journalism in Crisis: Out of the Buzzsaw, into the Fire (March/April 2006) By Frances Cerra Whittelsey Failing at Its "No. 1 Goal": Lack of balance at C-SPAN's Washington Journal (November/December 2005) By Steve Rendall The Consequences of Covering Up: Washington Post withholds info on CIA prisons at government request (Update December 2005) By Peter Hart and Jim Naureckas The Op-Ed Assassination of Hugo Chávez: Commentary on Venezuela parrots U.S. propaganda themes (November/December 2005) By Justin Delacour Media Ghost Writers (Update October 2005) By Jim Naureckas Time to Unplug the CPB: Replace corrupt board with independent trust (September/October 2005) By Steve Rendall and Peter Hart Defending Judith Miller's Indefensible Choice: How do you expose corruption by protecting the corrupt? (September/October 2005) By Jim Naureckas The World's Most Generous Misers: Tsunami reporting misrepresented U.S. giving (September/October 2005) By Ben Somberg Where Have All the Bodies Gone?: As toll mounts, U.S. casualties are nearly invisible (July/August 2005) By Pat Arnow Newsweek and the Real Rules of Journalism: Mistakes should be retracted--if the powerful are offended (July/August 2005) By Jim Naureckas The Military-Industrial-Media Complex: Why war is covered from the warriors' perspective (July/August 2005) By Norman Solomon Torturing Language: Definitions, defenses and dirty work (July/August 2005) By Jacqueline Bacon Ignoring the U.S.'s "Bad Atoms": For the New York Times, Washington is NPT's enforcer, not a violator (July/August 2005) By Steve Rendall Defeated by Democracy: Reported as triumph, Iraq elections were really Bush team's nightmare (May/June 2005) By Seth Ackerman The Great Emancipator: Media credit Bush for "democratization" of the Mideast (May/June 2005) By Peter Hart Fear & Favor 2004 -- The Fifth Annual Report: How power shapes the news (March/April 2005) By Peter Hart and Julie Hollar America's Debt to Gary Webb: Punished for reporting the truth while those who covered it up thrived (March/April 2005) By Robert Parry Taking a Dive on Contra Crack: How the Mercury News caved in to the media establishment (March/April 2005) By Gary Webb Pentagon Disinformation Should Be No Surprise (Update February 2005) By Peter Hart If News From Iraq Is Bad, It's Coming From U.S. Officials (Update February 2004) By Jon Whiten Saddam and Osama's Shotgun Wedding: Weekly Standard beats a long-dead horse (January/February 2004) By Seth Ackerman O'Reilly Brags About Fox's Lack of Skepticism (Update December 2003) By Jim Naureckas Letting Rumsfeld Set the Rules (Update December 2003) By Jim Naureckas Our 'Liberal' Times (November/December 2003) By John L. Hess Official Story vs. Eyewitness Account: Some outlets preferred sanitized version of checkpoint killings (May/June 2003) By Jim Naureckas Wolf Blitzer for the Defense (Department): Making sure the official line is the last word (January/February 2003) By Jim Naureckas Fear & Favor 2001 -- The Second Annual Report: How Power Shapes the News (March/April 2002) By Janine Jackson and Peter Hart "The Agency" on CBS: Right Time but Wrong Show (10/8/01) By Jeff Cohen What's Not Talked About on Sunday Morning?: Issues of corporate power are not on the agenda (September/October 2001) By George Farah and Justin Elga The Return of Otto Reich: Will Government Propagandist Join Bush Administration? (6/8/01) By Jeff Cohen New York Times on Iraq Sanctions: A case of journalistic malpractice (March/April 2000) By Seth Ackerman 'Are You Sure You Want to Ruin Your Career?': Gary Webb's fate a warning to gutsy reporters (March/April 1998) By Barbara Bliss Osborn Happy Birthday, CIA: The press celebrates 50 years of spying and covert action (November/December 1997) By Matthew Amster-Burton A Skeptical Look at 'Cynical' Reporters (September/October 1995) By John L. Hess October Reprisals: Investigators of alleged Iran deal face smears, legal threats (November/December 1993) By John Canham-Clyne Steve Emerson: A journalist who knows how to take a leak (October/November 1992) By Jane Hunter Media on the March: Journalism in the Gulf (November/December 1990) By Jim Naureckas More Gloss for the Gipper: The Myth of Reagan's (March/April 1989) By Michael Benhoff Radio Broadcasts Sonali Kolhatkar on Afghan women and the war, Dedrick Muhammad on Obama's NAACP speech and 'tough love' (7/31/09) David Swanson on healthcare reform, Harold Meyerson on California's budget crisis (7/24/09) Greg Grandin on Honduras coup, Nomi Prins on Madoff verdict (7/3/09) More... Less... D.D. Guttenplan on I.F. Stone (6/19/09) Phyllis Bennis on Obama's Cairo speech, Jonathan Tasini on the Boston Globe/GM (6/12/09) John Feffer on North Korea, Han Shan on Shell & Ken Saro-Wiwa (5/29/09) Mike Lillis on climate bill, Joy-Ann Reid on Cheney & torture (5/22/09) Manan Ahmed on Pakistan, Dean Starkman on 'Power Problem' (5/15/09) Riki Ott on Exxon Valdez, Harvey Wasserman on Three Mile Island (3/27/09) Phyllis Bennis on Gaza & the law, Charles Kaiser on Bush-era torture (1/16/09) Ali Abunimah on Gaza, A.C. Thompson on Katrina's Hidden Race War (1/9/09) David Cay Johnston on meltdown/bailout, Isabel MacDonald & Steve Rendall on 'Smearcasting,' FAIR's Islamophobia report (10/10/08) Phyllis Bennis on the presidential debate, Wendy Weiser on voter suppression (10/3/08) Eartha Jane Melzer on Ohio GOP vote suppression, Sarah Anderson on Wall Street CEO pay (9/26/08) James Galbraith on financial turmoil, Forrest Hylton on Bolivia crisis (9/19/08) Thomas Frank on 'The Wrecking Crew: How Conservatives Rule' (8/22/08) Helena Cobban on Russia/Georgia conflict, Iyanna Jones on black radio's 'Disappearing Voices' (8/15/08) Juan Cole on Iraq/Afghanistan, Todd Tucker on WTO talks (8/1/08) Glenn Greenwald and Arianna Huffington on right-wing myths (7/4/08) Michael Dorsey on cap and trade, Ken Picard on Al-Jazeera in Burlington (6/6/08) Pepe Escobar on UN Iran report, Sarah Posner on McCain's Pastor problem (5/30/08) Rob Richie on primary coverage, Forrest Hylton on FARC laptops (5/23/08) Mark Weisbrot on Colombia trade deal, Rick Perlstein on John McCain (4/11/08) Raed Jarrar on Iraq, Julie Hollar on Somalia (4/4/08) Jeff Cohen on Winter Soldier, Carl Bogus on 2nd Amendment debate (3/21/08) Seymour Hersh on Israel's Syrian air strike, Gerald LeMelle on Bush's Africa trip (2/15/08) Dahr Jamail on the Iraq surge, Karl Grossman on nuclear power resurgence (2/1/08) Gareth Porter on Strait of Hormuz 'incident,' Robert Naiman on Iraq death toll (1/18/08) Nomi Prins on mortgage meltdown, Kamau Karl Franklin on HR 1955 (12/28/07) Max Brantley on Mike Huckabee, Marc Herold on Afghanistan (12/14/07) Asli Bâli on NIE, Mark Weisbrot on Venezuela referendum (12/7/07) Robert Parry on 'Why We Write,' Karlos Schmieder on gentrification (11/16/07) Shahid Buttar on Pakistan, Jonathan Tasini on the writers strike (11/9/07) Gareth Porter on Iran, Tarso Ramos on Values Voters (11/2/07) Edwin Park on SCHIP, Lucinda Marshall on breast cancer (10/26/07) Stan Karp on No Child Left Behind, Aaron Swartz on Rachel Carson (10/12/07) Ervand Abrahamian on Iran, Andrew Tilghman on Al Qaeda in Iraq (9/28/07) William Greider on Alan Greenspan, Anthony Arnove on Iraq contractors (9/21/07) Phyllis Bennis and Tom Engelhardt on the Petraeus Report (9/14/07) Heather Boushey on Census poverty report, Scott Horton on 'Coups 'R Us' (8/31/07) Wayne Barrett on Giuliani's 9/11 lies, Michael Schwartz on Iraq 'benchmarks' (8/17/07) David Bryden on Bush & AIDS funding, Lew Koch on Padilla trial (6/15/07) Mahmood Mamdani on Darfur, Karen Greenberg on Guantánamo (3/16/07) Mark Benjamin on Iraq Vets, Sam Husseini on Washington Stakeout (3/2/07) Alfred McCoy on Torture, Ali Abunimah on Rice's Mideast Trip (2/23/07) Juan Cole on Iran's Iraq Meddling, Ann Jones on Afghanistan (2/9/07) John Nichols on Molly Ivins, Eric Wingerter on Chávez's 'rule by decree' (2/2/07) Elizabeth de la Vega on domestic spying, Kristal Brent Zook on Duke rape investigation (1/26/07) Alexander Cockburn on NY Times & Iraq, Matt Zimmerman on Spocko & Disney (1/12/07) Robin Andersen on media and war (12/29/06) Robert Parry on Robert Gates, Barbara Kopple on "Shut Up and Sing" (11/24/06) Eric Boehlert on 'Lapdogs,' Ryan King on meth craze (6/23/06) Michael Klare on Iran, Fawaz Gerges on Journey of the Jihadist (6/9/06) Aaron Glantz on Iraq, Doug Henwood on immigration (5/26/06) Patrick Cockburn on Iraq coverage, Brian Dominick on the Sago Mine story (1/13/06) Naomi Klein on torture, Eric Boehlert on Sami al-Arian (12/16/05) Norman Solomon on Iraq withdrawal, Onnesha Roychoudhuri on the Wall Street Journal & torture (11/25/05) Mel Goodman on Iraq intelligence, George Monbiot on Fallujah and chemical weapons (11/18/05) Bob Parry on Bush Speech, Mark Cooper on Brand X Case (7/1/05) John Burroughs on NPT review, Norman Solomon on Deep Throat and Iraq (6/3/05) Dan Noyes on Bush's Judges, Greg Mitchell on Pat Tillman (5/27/05) Robert Jensen on Newsweek's Quran Story, Karl Grossman on Weapons in Space (5/20/05) Richard Kogan on Bush's budget, Melanie Sloan on network TV ad policies (2/11/05) Action Alerts and Advisories Cheney's 'Fodder': Cheney's torture claims debunked; will the media say so? (8/28/09) USA Today's Iraq Progress: Military claims appear without scrutiny (8/17/07) MSNBC's 'Truth Squad': Democrats labeled 'untruthful' for criticizing Bush (8/10/07) More... Less... Times Reporter Responds on Firefighters (8/1/07) NY Times Responds Again on Fallujah: Public editor's second response contains factual errors (7/24/07) NY Times Responds on Fallujah Weapons: Public editor sides with reporter's dismissal (7/20/07) NY Times Parrots Giuliani's 9/11 Defense: Firefighters' criticism deemed 'factually questionable' (7/13/07) Incendiary Weapons Are No 'Allegation': Times corrects a minor error, ignores the big one (6/11/07) Romney's Iraq Gaffe Ignored: GOP contender's bizarre pre-war history (6/8/07) Buying the War: Moyers documentary exposes media culpability in Iraq War (4/27/07) CBS's Nuclear Revival: 60 Minutes' critic-free boosterism (4/18/07) ABC (Under)counting Iraqi Dead (3/21/07) Iraq and the Media: A Critical Timeline (3/19/07) NYT Hypes Venezuelan Threat: Comparison of 'arms spending' doesn't include all arms spending (3/2/07) NYT Responds on Iran Coverage: FAIR's letter to Byron Calame (2/28/07) NYT Breaks Own Anonymity Rules: Paper pushes Iran threat with one-sided array of unnamed officials (2/16/07) Won't Get Fooled Again?: NYT, networks offer scant skepticism on Iran claims (2/2/07) Ombud Concurs on NewsHour's Iraq Panel: 'I'm with viewers' on imbalance, Getler says (1/16/07) Debating the Iraq "Surge" on PBS: NewsHour panel skews against public opinion (1/10/07) CBS, NBC Clean Up Bush's 'Happy' Talk (8/24/06) Rumsfeld Challenged: Media mishandle Rumsfeld-McGovern exchange (5/10/06) Washington Post responds to critics: "Two Views" of the truth? (4/19/06) Intelligence Manipulation at the Washington Post: Paper's editorial page ignores facts to back Bush (4/13/06) 'The Final Word Is Hooray!': Remembering the Iraq War's Pollyanna pundits (3/15/06) Brian Ross "Completely Aware" of WMD Context: So why weren't ABC viewers allowed to know? (3/3/06) Missing From ABC's WMD "Scoop": Star defector Hussein Kamel said weapons were destroyed (2/17/06) "Terror Plot" Reporting Lacks Skepticism: Networks treat White House allegations as fact (2/13/06) The Scoop That Got Spiked: Times delay on wiretap story leaves questions unanswered (1/11/06) C-SPAN Slanting Right: Washington Journal's guestlist lacks balance (12/19/05) Pundits Say Public Is Wrong About Iraq: For media elite, why U.S. went to war is a meaningless debate (11/30/05) The Consequences of Covering Up: Washington Post withholds info on secret prisons at government request (11/4/05) Miller's Tale: Can the reporter--or the New York Times--be trusted? (10/21/05) FAIR Calls for De-Funding CPB: How to REALLY save PBS: Replace corrupt board with independent trust (10/3/05) NPR's Dvorkin Responds on "Extremist" Label (9/30/05) NPR's "Extremists": Do only "extremist groups" connect war and terror? (9/21/05) Covering Katrina: Has a More Critical Press Corps Emerged? (9/9/05) ABC's Antiwar "Reality Check": World News Tonight minimizes support for withdrawal (9/1/05) Misjudging Roberts: Newsweek dismisses accurate information on judge's record (8/2/05) Justifying the Silence on Downing Street Memos (6/17/05) CBS Sees Iraq Improvement--Again (6/7/05) Lessons from Newsweek's Retraction (6/1/05) Network Viewers Still in the Dark on "Smoking Gun Memo": Print media continue to downplay story (5/20/05) Newsweek, the Quran and the 'Green Mushroom': Following the real rules of modern journalism (5/19/05) Smoking Gun Memo?: Iraq Bombshell Goes Mostly Unreported in US Media (5/10/05) Rather's Retirement and 'Liberal Bias' (3/2/05) Missing the Evidence on Missing Explosives: Reports ignore videotapes that debunk administration claims (10/29/04) 60 Minutes: Shelving a Story to Boost Bush?: CBS puts Niger expose on hold as boss endorses Republicans (9/28/04) FAIR Calls for Revealing Sources in Plame, Lee Cases: Courts should respect anonymity of genuine whistle-blowers (8/19/04) Media Should Follow Up on Civilian Deaths: Journalist's evidence that U.S. bombed market ignored by U.S. press (4/4/03) In Iraq Crisis, Networks Are Megaphones for Official Views (3/18/03) Networks Accept Government 'Guidance' (10/12/01) Why Were Government Propaganda Experts Working On News At CNN? (3/27/00) _________________________________________________________________ Home | Contact Us | Support Us | RSS | Privacy Policy | Copyright Policy Creative Commons License This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License. _________________________________________________________________ Site designed by the May First Technology Collective Hosted by Google ______________________________ Search News Back to Google News BlackBerry in deal to avert Saudi ban: telecoms official (AFP) – Aug 7, 2010 JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia — BlackBerry has "virtually" sealed a deal with Saudi Arabia on its encrypted messenger services to avert a ban on the smartphone, a Saudi telecoms company official told AFP on Saturday. "A deal has been virtually reached and we are in the process of adding the final touches," said the official of one of Saudi Arabia's three licensed mobile operators, asking not to be named. The official declined to go into details. The Saudi-financed satellite television Al-Arabiya, citing unnamed Saudi sources, said BlackBerry's Canadian makers have agreed in principle to grant access to Saudi authorities to decipher its messenger exchanges between users. A special server for the messenger services is to be set up in the highly security-conscious Gulf state, birthplace of Al-Qaeda and its leader Osama bin Laden, according to Al-Arabiya. Earlier on Saturday, an official of a mobile phone company reported progress in talks with BlackBerry's manufacturers, Research In Motion (RIM), in a bid to have the device conform with Saudi laws. "A solution is in sight with the Canadian company," the official said. Only last week RIM founder and co-chief executive Mike Lazaridis, however, told the New York Times that letting governments monitor messages would imperil ties with clients, including major corporations and law enforcement agencies. Stepping into the fray on Thursday, the US and Canadian governments said they would hold talks with those countries fearful of the security implications of BlackBerry usage. Several BlackBerry subscribers in the Saudi port city and business hub of Jeddah said on Saturday that the service had been working uninterrupted since it was reinstated after a four-hour suspension the previous day. The Saudi telecommunications authority announced earlier in the week it had ordered mobile providers to block key BlackBerry services or face a 1.3-million-dollar fine as of August 6. The regulator had said the suspension was because "the way BlackBerry services are provided currently does not meet the regulatory criteria of the commission and the licensing conditions." BlackBerry's encrypted emails and data are stored on servers in Canada, where RIM is based, meaning that third parties such as intelligence agencies cannot monitor the secure communications. BlackBerry subscribers number around 700,000 in Saudi Arabia, a conservative kingdom which enforces a rigid Islamic social code and strictly censored Internet service. The brief Saudi shutdown came five days after the United Arab Emirates announced it would also cut off BlackBerry messenger, email and web browsing services on October 11 because of security fears. Industry sources said a Saudi-RIM deal could serve as a model for other countries with similar concerns, especially the business-orientated UAE which has said its decision was "final" although open to negotiation. With the priority on business, Bahrain and Oman say they oppose a ban on BlackBerry, a favourite tool of business travellers, while Lebanon, a frontline state with Israel, has yet to reach a decision despite its security concerns. Outside the Arab world, India has said it is mulling a ban, and Indonesia is not ruling out the option although on Thursday it denied the world's largest Muslim country was considering a suspension of BlackBerry services. Copyright © 2011 AFP. All rights reserved. More » Related articles * Two men on palace trespass charge BBC News - 1 hour ago * Offbeat: Britain parries threat to Queen's head on stamps Macau Daily Times - 8 hours ago * Queen donates to Australia flood relief effort Straits Times - 5 hours ago * More coverage (1) » IFRAME: javascript:parent.adsIframeHtml() Add News to your iGoogle Homepage Add News to your Google Homepage AFP BlackBerry subscribers number around 700,000 in Saudi Arabia Map ©2011 Google - About Google News - Blog - Help Center - Help for Publishers - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy - Google Home ____________ [btn_search_hp_text.gif]-Submit CNN US IFRAME: /nav.php?c=24544185&p=CNN&t=ap-CN-G02-FN-01&n=id%3Dnav%26default-nav-skin%3Dfull%26searchbox-present%3Dtrue%26full-logo-src%3D%2Fimages%2Fhdr-cnn.gif%26full-logo-title%3DCNN+Articles%26full-logo-alt%3DCNN+Articles%26full-logo-width%3D82%26full-logo-height%3D55%26full-logo-href%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%26full-logo-position%3Dcenter%26full-nav-skin%3Dfull%26full-nav-selected-skin%3Dbg-color%26full-nav-render%3Diframe%26name%3DNav%26navType%3Dfull Source: Explosives found in suspicious packages packed powerful punch LAW ENFORCEMENT [1px.gif] [1px.gif] [1px.gif] [1px.gif] Share this on: Mixx Facebook Twitter Digg delicious reddit MySpace StumbleUpon LinkedIn IFRAME: f36c81f4d32273 October 29, 2010|By the CNN Wire Staff * The circuit board bears similarities to a cell-phone, according to an engineer for a wireless phone parts manufacturer. The circuit board bears similarities to a cell-phone, according to an engineer for a wireless phone parts manufacturer. Two suspicious packages found abroad that were bound for Jewish organizations in the United States contained a massive amount of explosive material that -- had the suspected terror plot not been thwarted -- would have triggered a powerful blast, a source close to the investigation said Friday. U.S. officials believe that al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, commonly referred to as AQAP, is behind the plot. President Barack Obama confirmed that the packages -- intercepted in the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates -- originated in Yemen, the stronghold of al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. Advertisement IFRAME: /ad-cnn.php?f=medium_rectangle "We also know that al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula ... continues to plan attacks against our homeland, our citizens, and our friends and allies," he said during a press briefing on the incident. One suspicious package, found at the UK's East Midlands Airport, contained a "manipulated" toner cartridge and had white powder on it as well as wires and a circuit board, a law enforcement source said. A similar package set to be shipped on a FedEx cargo plane was discovered in Dubai, the law enforcement source and Dubai officials said. "Initial examination of those packages has determined they do apparently contain explosive material," Obama said. The source close to the investigation said the type of material found in the devices was PETN, a highly explosive organic compound belonging to the same chemical family as nitroglycerin. Just six grams of PETN is enough to blow a hole in the fuselage of an aircraft. PETN was allegedly one of the components of the bomb concealed by Umar Farouk AbdulMutallab, the Nigerian man accused of trying to set off an explosion aboard Northwest Airlines Flight 253 as it approached Detroit, Michigan, on December 25. AbdulMutallab is alleged to have been carrying 80 grams of PETN in that botched attack -- also believed to be the workings of al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. By comparison, the source said the two devices found Friday contained multiple times more PETN. The source also said it appears the devices were designed to be detonated by a cell phone with the help of a smaller amount of a second unidentified explosive substance. The cell-phone theory was seconded by a wireless engineer for a major U.S.-based manufacturer, who analyzed a photo of one of the devices at CNN's request. * 1 * 2 * 3 * > * >> We recommend From around the web Related Articles » * Saudis provided key intelligence in identifying suspicious packages October 29, 2010 * The 'suspicious package' that wasn't August 15, 2005 * Chicago synagogues warned to watch for suspicious packages October 29, 2010 Find More Stories About » * Law Enforcement * Explosive Material Advertisement IFRAME: /ad-cnn.php?f=wide_skyscraper CNN Articles © 2011 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved Privacy Guidelines Terms of Service Index by Date Index by Keyword Articles.CNN.com Advertising Practices