News – Journo James's Journal

I Can’t Handle the Truth

Post author:journojames
Post published:May 3, 2012
Post category:Journalism News Op/Ed/Commentary Papers/Reports

Originally published Mar. 30, 2012

William Faulkner once sarcastically commented, “Facts and truth really don’t have much to do with each other.”

The Nobel Prize laureate had a point: people find different truths from a single set of facts. And here lies the challenge for journalists, fact-checkers, and — for at least one morning session — our J556 Online Seminar class.

Consider this: “the majority of Americans are conservatives.”

Barack Obama Continues Campaign Swing Through Florida — Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), Photo by Joe Raedle, courtesy of Getty Images

That’s what Florida Rep. Sen. Marco Rubio claimed anyway in a speech at the 2012 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Washington on February 9.

Is it true? Is it even factual? (more…)

American Honeymooners Infographic

Post author:journojames
Post published:April 16, 2012
Post category:Feature Multimedia News

A quick look at American honeymooners: For a larger image.

Earned Income Tax Credit Report

Post author:journojames
Post published:April 12, 2012
Post category:News

Originally published Feb. 7, 2012

Mayor Villaraigosa near downtown L.A., Photo by JournoJames

LOS ANGELES, CA – Free tax preparation services will be offered to low-income working families as an incentive to join an underutilized program that provides refunds which could help boost the local economy, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced Monday.

“In tough economic times like these, we need to make sure hard-working Angelenos are getting all the help they need,” Villaraigosa said. “Our message is simple: get the free help that you deserve.” (more…)