Sunday
Aug142011
Verifying Sources in the Era of Amateur Video (Zalman)
Sunday, August 14, 2011 at 6:22 | James Miller in EA Middle East and Turkey, Journalism and Media, Middle East and Iran 
In an age where technology is changing the way news is reported, are the techniques that EA uses that unique or cutting edge? Dr. Amy Zalman, founder of Strategic Narrative, thinks so. In her words, we are "rewriting the terms of journalistic objectivity" in order to meet the needs of the 21st century, and overcome those dreaded words, "this video cannot be independently verified."
The competing narrative continuing to unfold about the ongoing violence in Syria reflect how completely amateur video has now transformed our understanding of what “news” is. Activists’ homemade videos have shattered the idea that the Syrian government’s claim to be restoring “stability” to towns under attack from “armed terrorists” can be taken at face value...