Issue # 23 Monday, November 23, 1998

About the Author:

Full-column and topic INDEX

Thanks for the feedback on the original fiction e-mail available e-zines. I'll read them for a couple/three issues and run a string of reviews and recommendations.

As well, I'd like to make a pitch for The Sideroad, the e-zine that you read this column in. It's all volunteer driven (hosted, designed and contained by mediacollision) and delivers some great current and past reading on a wide variety of topics. Take a wander around.

This week I'll cover off FAIR-L (Fairness and Accuracy In Reporting), an excellent and erudite e-newsletter (gotta love alliteration). As well, another short at the end.

Review - FAIR-L - Fairness and Accuracy In Reporting

Quick Rating:

Overall - 5 Content - 5 Writing - 5 Regularity - 5 Extras - 5

E-zine Description: From the site - pretty heady stuff:

FAIR is the national media watch group that offers well-documented criticism of media bias and censorship. FAIR seeks to invigorate the First Amendment by advocating for greater diversity in the press. FAIR scrutinizes media practices that marginalize public interest, minority and dissenting viewpoints.

Ultimately, FAIR believes that structural reform is needed to break up the dominant media conglomerates, establish independent public broadcasting and promote strong, non-profit, alternative sources of information.

Join FAIR's e-mail list to receive periodic updates, action alerts, and media criticism from Fairness & Accuracy in Reporting.

Frequency of Publication: periodic

Subscription Instructions:
Send a e-mail to:
Address: [email protected]
E-mail Body: subscribe fair-l (your full name here)

WWW location:
http://www.fair.org/

Contact Information:

FAIR
Fairness & Accuracy In Reporting
130 W. 25th Street
New York, NY 10001

Tel: 212-633-6700
Fax: 212-727-7668

E-mail: [email protected]

Cost: Quite Free.

Review

Content - 5
The content in each issue (or notice) varies quite widely. Some may be simple notices of new radio/TV shows and books that are considered to of interest to the organization of the subscribers. Others may be directed press releases, site updates or grass-roots mobilization requests (my words not theirs). Others cover media issues in more depth (via transcripts/content from their CounterSpin radio show), usually directing you to the FAIR site for more information.

A recent piece (October 30, 1998) did a good comparison between words, phrases and slant involving coverage of the sniper murder of Dr. Slepian in Buffalo, NY and the arson attack on a Vail, CO ski resort. It then goes on to question the legitimacy of a "noted" eco-terrorist expert. Quite an interesting read.

Writing Quality/Style - 5
Clear and very professional. I'd guess that a group criticizing media would/should hold itself to at least as high a standard of language and style and the people and media outlets they look at critically.

Regularity - 5
This is not a scheduled mailer, it is sent out when there is a need. I give it a 5 because the information sent is very timely.

Extras - 5
Good standard inside e-mail bits like sign-off instructions, good Web links, contact information and the FAIR-L name in the subject of every e-mail message sent. The site contains another big whack of information on all aspects of FAIR and, again, is very professionally laid out and easy to use.

Overall - 5
FAIR covers and makes note of reporting concepts, language, inaccuracies, mis-judgements, stupidities and the subsequent influence in the community at large. Pretty tall order.

FAIR-L is a good use of e-mail to further the goals of an organization. I don't have the opportunity to read it every time it shows up in my box, but I generally go back to my archive to catch-up on the goings on, facts and opinions. Like I've said many times before in this same space - I may not always agree with what they write, but any well presented, articulate opinion is worth listening to if you have the time or inclination. FAIR-L delivers a nice dose of what you don't much get in the local newspaper: dissent. I thank them for their efforts.

E-zine Title: ResearchBuzz

E-zine Description: ResearchBuzz is the e-mail newsletter for the Web site entitled "Info pages for Official Netscape Guide to Internet Research, 2nd Edition". Maintained by Tara Calishain, co-author of the aforementioned tome. News and bits about Internet research tools and methodology abound.

I've luckily had the opportunity to correspond with Tara a reasonable amount over the past couple/few years and am very impressed with this newsletter so far. I'm a research nut - one of the fun parts of what I do for a living - and already discovered a number of excellent research step-off points from this newsletter.

Frequency of Publication: often (11 issues in the past 18 days)

Subscription Instructions: Visit http://www.coppersky.com/ongir/news/

WWW location:
http://www.coppersky.com/ongir/

Contact Information:
e-mail: [email protected]

Cost: Absolutely Free, Though the book is available at Amazon and other fine on-line bookstores.

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