Mumia Abu-Jamal, Supreme Court, CNN, WP and Axis of Logic

"The Supreme Court has let stand the conviction of former Black Panther Mumia Abu-Jamal". So writes Bill Mear in his CNN report on the latest decision on Mumia's conviction, 28 years ago. We might add also that CNN has now enjoined the decision by "John Roberts and the Supremes" by reinforcing Mumia's conviction in the court of public opinion. The SJC took care of the little legal matter that finally reached their halls of justice while CNN and other corporate media bosses swept up any remaining doubt in the minds of the public. Let the conviction stand in the U.S. judicial system and let it stand with the people - Mumia's death row cell is double-locked. So they think.

CNN's Attack on Mumia

They begin by describing Mumia, not as one convicted of murder, but as one who has "gunned down a Philadelpha police officer". Inconsequential you think? Read on:

CNN: "The case has attracted international attention amid charges of prosecutorial misconduct and the inmate's outspoken personality."

In reality, it has been the details of the crime, prosecutorial and judiciary misconduct in Mumia's conviction and death sentence - and the world's condemnation of the U.S. assembly-line executions - that has "attracted international attention". The many who have studied the details of this crime and prosecution (do an Internet search on Mumia's name) are the ones who have "provoked" the corrupt U.S. judiciary and U.S. government in this case. It took the international outcry from the Left to draw attention to Mumia and get his case revisited by the Supremes. Without that support, Mumia's voice would never have echoed beyond his death row cell block. This is not to diminish Mumia's leadership in condemning U.S. imperialism and oppression and imprisonment of the poor. CNN's desciptor "the inmate's outspoken personality" apparently refers to Mumia's invincible intelligence, formidable pen and strong leadership in the anti-war movement, in the battle against imperialism and in the African-American communities.

CNN: "Abu-Jamal, a former radio reporter and cab driver has been a divisive figure, with many prominent supporters arguing that racism pervaded his trial. Others countered Abu-Jamal is using his skin color to escape responsibility for his actions. They say he has divided the community for years with his provocative writing and activism."

Another carefully chosen CNN descriptor: "A former radio reporter and cab driver". CNN conveniently and significantly omits Mumia's pre-arrest leadership in the Black Panther Party which could possibly suggest in the public mind that he is, in fact, a political prisoner.

Wikipedia does a little better job of it. There he is described as

Wiki: "... a Black Panther Activist, cab driver, and journalist ... who was 'kicked ... into the Black Panther Party' after suffering a beating from white racists and a policeman for his efforts to disrupt a George Wallace for President rally in 1968. The following year, at the age of 15, he helped form the Philadelphia branch of the Black Panther Party, taking appointment, in his own words, as the chapter's 'Lieutenant of Information' ..."

If a responsible publisher intends to describe Mumia Abu-Jamal, even in a brief news article, are these not key facts to include in their report of his conviction, death sentence and pre-arrest history as opposed to "a former radio reporter and cab driver"?

CNN's Veiled Racism

Just who are CNN's "others" who charge that Mumia is using his skin color "to escape responsibility for his actions?" Anyone living in the U.S. knows that this is, in itself, a bald racist reference by CNN. For decades white racists and the racist media have used the accusation of African-Americans "playing the race card", a coinage of the corporate media, to degrade people of color. CNN then piles on another "Mumia crime" - that he has "divided the community for years with his provocative writing and activism." What community has Mumia "divided"? The black community? The white community? No, it's the government, their courts and media who have "divided the community" - if not having to a large extent, destroyed the very concept of "community" in the United States over the last century. Corporate media reports like this one on CNN are what are divisive, racist, prejudiced and inflammatory.

CNN's Attack on the People

And then comes the CNN grand slam to include those who have studied the state's case against Mumia for decades and who continue to work for the release and vindication of this political prisoner.

"This assassination has been made a circus by those people in the world and this city who believe falsely that Mumia Abu-Jamal is some kind of a folk hero," said Philadelphia District Attorney Lynne Abraham last year, when the federal appeals court upheld the conviction ... He is nothing short of an assassin."

So CNN finishes their report by reducing the powerful protests in Philadelphia, Boston, New York, Washington, Chicago, Los Angles, London, Paris, Rome, throughout the United States and around the world for many years to "a circus". Moreover the circus clowns "falsely believe that Mumia Abu-Jamal is some kind of a folk hero." This is journalism? This is a "news report? This is neutral, unbiased and based in fact?

It is naive to think the task of all media is only to inform the public. It is impossible to inform without providing some sort of context. That context should consist of the salient facts of an event, what led up to and contributed to the event and the societal, legal and political significance of the event. However, there is another context for media information that receives little attention in the capitalist media. For readers to understand the information published and broadcast by any medium it is essential that they understand the underlying world view of the publisher. The capitalist media obscures their world view; indeed, they deny that they even operate from a set of assumptions. They claim to be "value-free" and neutral.

The Writers and Publishers. Who are they?

We randomly chose the Washington Post to serve as an example. In their attempt to describe who they really are, their marketing team appears to have gone on an adjective-hunting mission. Their "About Us" section, once it is found, reads like a thesaurus:

"provocative", "innovative", dynamic", "respected", "quick-witted", "compelling", "unique", "award-winning", "engaging", "compelling", "accurate", "critical", "shrewd", "dedicated", "responsible", "vibrant", "unparalleled", "in-depth", "robust", "distinctive", "flexible", "dedicated", "responsible", "vibrant", "unparalleled" and "in-depth".

Their marketing team says the WP has a "middle of the road perspective" and is "a counterbalance to the stereotypical views of blacks". For their funding source, i.e. advertisers, the WP brags its ability to, "integrate your products and services within our compelling local content, strengthening the bond between your brand and the community you serve".

Finally, The Washington Post sums up their claim of "neutrality" with this simplism, implying that their selection of news stories and the way they are written are any less opinionated than their editorial departments:

"At The Post, the News and the Editorial departments are separate and operate independently."

As with all capitalist media, nowhere do the owners/controllers of the Washington Post tell you who they are.

The fact that the WP does not publish a "Mission Statement" does not mean that they don't have one. Nowhere does the WP state, "Our views are written and published from a capitalist, imperialist perspective", although clearly this is the case. Of course, nowhere do the owners or bosses of the WP present themselves as "anti-socialist", "anti-Arab", "anti-working class", "pro-ruling class", "anti-Cuba" or "pro-Israel". Instead, they sprinkle their opinion pages with half-truths, obfuscation and disinformation, creating an aura of "presenting both sides of the story", as CNN did in this "news" article on Mumia. To learn more about the WP on their website, one has to use their search engine before finding a tiny reference, not to a Mission Statement, but to their "About Us"* (included verbatim below). But their "About Us" is not "About them". Rather it is a grand boast about what they do. WP's "About Us" leads to a labyrith that markets their various "products" but says nothing about who they are or the presuppositions that underlie their work. Yet, their content and methodology is clearly designed to shape public opinion and to defend U.S. government domestic and foreign policies and to marginalise any opposition against it.

Admitting Presuppositions

At Axis of Logic we also present news and information as we see things through our own lenses and the reader should make no mistake, we do have our own "lenses" through which we view world events. Moreover, we try to write and publish in a persuasive manner to argue our views on everything from our opinion articles to our selections of what is "newsworthy". From the court's decision on Mumia to the domestic and foreign policies of world governments we present our views without apology. Our editors, columnists, writers and translators subscribe to the Axis of Logic Mission Statement because it reflects their own personal world views. Our News Editor selects a news article for republication, on the basis of its importance, its relevance to the salient issues of the day, its demonstrable facts and its subtext - (what many call, "reading between the lines). The big difference between our editorial policy and that of the capitalist media is that we admit our presuppositions and they do not. The issue is about being honest about who you are and what and whom you represent. Simply put, it is impossible for any media to be "value free" or "neutral".

As seen in the CNN report on Mumia Abu-Jamal, the capitalist media uses the power of its hierarchical control, massive information brokerages (e.g. AP, Reuters, Knight-Ridder, etc), well-paid, trained, vetted and controlled international writers and its distribution systems to produce mind-bending "news" articles like today's CNN report on Mumia Abu-Jamal. But they will never admit to any of this.

This material is available for republication as long as reprints include verbatim copy of the article in its entirety, respecting its integrity. Reprints must cite the author and Axis of Logic as the original source including a "live link" to the article. Thank you!

READ THE BIO AND ADDITIONAL ARTICLES BY LES BLOUGH

Notes

"About Us" on the Washington Post

About Us

Washington Post Digital is a leading media environment, delivering innovative solutions and unsurpassed client service worldwide. Smart, engaged, influential individuals connect with our dynamic news and lifestyle content to make informed decisions and shape the world around them.

Washington Post Digital is the global platform for internationally respected and innovative Washington Post journalism. Washington Post Digital is a division of The Washington Post Company, a $4.2 billion media and education company.

washingtonpost.com

washingtonpost.com is an award-winning news and information destination that delivers both world-class reporting and innovative multimedia content, creating a truly interactive news experience. It is the winner of four consecutive Edward R. Murrow Awards for Overall Excellence in a Non-Broadcast Affiliated Website and reaches over 12 million adults during an average month.*

The Slate Group

The Slate Group, an online publishing subsidiary of The Washington Post Company, produces provocative and engaging digital publications. Its suite of sites includes Slate Magazine, Slate V, The Root and The Big Money.

* Nielsen Online. NetView. three-month average: Aug.–Oct. 2008.

The Big Money

The distinctive business source providing critical financial news to smart and savvy business leaders

A synthesis of financial news. Quick-witted commentary. Compelling tools.
Through a synthesis of financial news, quick-witted commentary and a compelling set of tools, The Big Money will provide a unique perspective and a deeper level of engagement to a smart audience that seeks a greater understanding of today's business issues.

Since financial and business writing too often gets lost in minutiae, The Big Money will focus on big topics, issues that affect a wide number of people (as consumers, as homeowners, as economic citizens) and go beyond a simple "buy this stock, sell that fund" approach. The Big Money will appeal both to junkies in the field and to more casual readers who might not now read any existing business publication.

Senior executives
Business decision makers
Affluent, educated, influential consumers
Mainstream users that are seeking more business/financial knowledge and perspective and how it will affect their lives
The Big Money will feature a unique style when compared with traditional business publications. Authoritative without being preachy. Smarter and faster off the mark. A shrewd, witty voice. Middle-of-the-road perspective. A distinctive source apart from all others for critical business and financial information and analysis.

We are part of The Slate Group. The Slate Group is entrepreneurial, flexible, at the speed of the Web. As part of the Washington Post Company, The Slate Group also relies on the experience of a media leader. Find out more about The Slate Group properties (Slate and The Root) by clicking on their respective buttons in the upper left.

The Big Money will launch fall 2008. Contact us now to discuss your next advertising campaign on The Big Money or with The Slate Group.

Visit our ad specs site for more detailed media plan information.

The Root

A deeper understanding of the African American experience
The Root is a daily online magazine that targets the post-Civil Rights Generation with original, provocative commentary and analysis on politics, social issues and culture from a variety of perspectives. Dedicated to increasing the breadth and depth of black voices engaged in debate about the most important issues of the day, The Root is built on the strength of a robust and diverse group of contributors, and has an editorial sensibility that reflects the confidence and divergent world views of its audience.

The Root is unlike other online destinations for African Americans, The Root encompasses the full spectrum of information, ideas and issues facing black America every day. An intelligent counter-balance to stereotypical portrayals of blacks, The Root goes beyond pop culture and mainstream headlines, filling an otherwise empty space in black media.

Slate

The Original Online Magazine Reaching 6 Million Nationwide Every Month
Slate is timely, current, thought-provoking. Slate is on the pulse of the political and cultural spirit of the time, with a unique Slate take on news, business, politics, technology, arts, health, film, travel and more. The 'Slate Take' makes Slate distinct when compared to other news publications. It is our style, our voice, our 'take' on everything from elections to pop culture. We don't hold back, and our readers appreciate this candor and directness.

Our readers rely on Slate for a perspective they can't get elsewhere. Loyal, engaged and active online and off - they keep us on our toes. Slate users are opinionated, influential, engaged, active, affluent, tech-savvy, political, outdoorsy, film-buff-y, intellectual, literate and green. Here are some quick facts about our highly engaged audience:

6 million nationwide - heavy concentrations in the top ten US DMAs.
More than 1.6 million2 international users.

Our readers want to engage with our content, with our talent and with each other. Portability. Accessibility. Customization. Our tools and technology enable us to meet our readers exactly where they need us with all the latest tools: blogs, widgets, mobile, video, Twitter, Facebook, social networks and other technology just around the corner.

Slate has a unique formula. Through The Slate Group, that formula replicates to new online ventures. The Slate Group is entrepreneurial, flexible, at the speed of the Web. As part of the Washington Post Company, The Slate Group also relies on the experience of a media leader. Find out more about The Slate Group properties (The Root and The Big Money) by clicking on their respective buttons in the upper left.

Slate is a distinctive and flexible partner for advertisers. We apply the same creativity, innovation and style to the advertising side of the business as do to the editorial side.

Visit our ad specs site for more detailed media plan information.

Take a look at our client solutions.

Nielsen Online, NetView, three-month average, Nov 2008 – Jan 2009
Omniture, Nov 2008 – Jan 2009

Loudoun Extra

Print Leadership Contact Us Awards

In The News Press Releases Press Releases Home Community news, data and resources from THE trusted brand

LoudounExtra.com is a vibrant, comprehensive community resource providing unparalleled, in-depth coverage of community-level news and events for Loudoun County. LoudounExtra.com provides you with a unique opportunity to integrate your products and services within our compelling local content, strengthening the bond between your brand and the community you serve.

Reach Loudoun County consumers right where they live and work. Efficient and effective, our menu of advertising opportunities ensures that you target your existing and prospective customers. Whether you are a small or medium business serving Loudoun County, you will feel confident in advertising on LoudounExtra.com, knowing you are reaching only those Loudoun consumers that your business serves.

Promote your business through the following sponsorship opportunities:

Loudoun Deals
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Article Sponsorship

As part of the Washington Post Company, LoudounExtra.com is backed by a media leader and THE trusted brand in DC. Contact us now to discuss your next advertising campaign on LoudounExtra.com.

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News and Editorial

The News and Editorial departments comprise hundreds of writers, photographers, artists and editors dedicated to bringing you the best newspaper we can each morning.

The News department is responsible for local, national and international news and features, as well as sports, financial and entertainment news.

The Editorial department is in charge of the editorial and op-ed pages. In addition to Post editorials, Letters to the Editor and varied opinion columns appear every day on these pages.

At The Post, the News and the Editorial departments are separate and operate independently.

Meet the Editors

More than 850 people work in The Post's News department, helping to produce the most readable, compelling and accurate newspaper that we can, 365 days a year. In addition to the main newsroom in the District of Columbia, The Post maintains 13 bureaus in Maryland and Virginia, six bureaus around the country and 20 around the world.

The news staff is organized into six major departments responsible for daily coverage: National, Foreign, Metro, Business, Sports and Style. Photo and News Art provide visual coverage of the news. Additionally, several other departments are involved in the design, production and management of the newspaper: Photo, News Art, the News Desk, News Personnel, Information Technology and News Administration. Weekly feature sections have individual staffs of reporters, editors and designers: The Sunday Magazine, TV Week, Outlook, Book World, Health, Home, Food, Travel, Real Estate, Weekend and Sunday Source.

The Washington Post has a long tradition of prize-winning journalism. We have won over two dozen Pulitzer Prizes since our first in 1936 in addition to several Nieman Fellowships and White House News Photographer Association Awards.

Then one has to penetrate deep into the Post to find "Editors' Bios" - only one is listed:

Washington Post Editors

Marcus Brauchli became executive editor of The Washington Post on Sept. 8, 2008, succeeding Leonard Downie Jr. Mr. Brauchli reports to Publisher Katharine Weymouth.

Mr. Brauchli oversees The Post's print and online newsrooms, and will direct the integration of the two operations. Mr. Brauchli brings experience running a merged newsroom, after an extensive career as a foreign correspondent and editor.

Before joining The Post, Mr. Brauchli was managing editor of The Wall Street Journal, with responsibility for its newsrooms and editions in the U.S. and internationally, in print and online. He also had editorial responsibility for MarketWatch, the financial-news website. He was appointed managing editor in April 2007 and resigned one year later, after News Corp. acquired the Journal's parent company, Dow Jones & Co.

Mr. Brauchli spent 15 years as a correspondent in Asia and Europe. He served as the Journal's national editor during the 2000 election, the corporate scandals of that era, and the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the JournalÕs coverage of which won a Pulitzer Prize. He later became global news editor, and led the redesign of the JournalÕs overseas editions. He also oversaw planning for a new luxury lifestyle magazine, WSJ.

Mr. Brauchli is a native of Boulder, Colo., and a graduate of Columbia University. He was a 1991-92 Nieman Fellow at Harvard University and led or participated in projects that won two Overseas Press Club awards and two citations for excellence. He has served on the boards of the OPC and the International Center for Journalists, and is an advisor to the Knight-Bagehot Fellowships program at Columbia. He also is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the New York Economic Club.

Mr. Brauchli is married to Maggie Farley, a journalist. They have two daughters and live in Bethesda, Maryland.