The Truth about the Ossetiya-Georgia Conflict

Most of the information we are receiving from the screens of our televisions, radios, and newspapers, concerning the attack on Osetiya by Georgia is deceptive, prejudiced and absurd.

Due to the increase of political bias in the western media, the people of Europe and the United States of America are not being told the whole truth or given the factual details on the conflict between the two countries.

How can we change the way the press and media are broadcasting the current situation, when they are being controlled by politics! How can we change the fact that we are being offered somebody else's ready formulated opinion, when we have a simple human right to form our own?

Is it not a violation of human rights? Did the General Assembly of the United Nations not adopt and proclaim a Universal Declaration of Human Rights in which Article 19 clearly states that: "Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers".

With the media lying to us, when we have every right to know both sides of the story, what then is the Code of Ethics, if the UN's very own Declaration is ignored? Doesn't the code clearly state that: "...Journalists believe that public enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy. The duty of the journalist is to further those ends by seeking truth and providing a fair and comprehensive account of events and issues. Conscientious journalists from all media and specialties strive to serve the public with thoroughness and honesty. Professional integrity is the cornerstone of a journalist's credibility".

The conflict in the region is not as easy as the press makes it appear for it has a very long and complicated history, and there are many factors which people should know before passionately accusing one side or the other.

How is it possible that in the 21st century, after a whole decade of propaganda and lies being told to people, we haven't learned a thing? It becomes more and more difficult to believe anything we are told. Fabricated evidence, absolutely absurd and ridiculous, is being shown on the television, as if it was real, and the most horrible thing is that nobody questions it's authenticity.

What happened to the basics of:
— Testing the accuracy of information from all sources and exercising care to avoid inadvertent error. Deliberate distortion is NEVER permissible.
— Diligently seeking out subjects of news stories to give them the opportunity to respond to allegations of wrongdoing.
— Identifying sources whenever feasible. The public is entitled to as much information as possible on sources' reliability.
— NEVER distorting the content of news photos or video.
— Avoiding misleading re-enactments or staged news events.
— Telling the story of the diversity and magnitude of the human experience boldly, even when it is unpopular to do so.
— Examining their own cultural values and avoiding imposing those values on others.
— Supporting the open exchange of views, even views they find repugnant.
— Distinguishing between advocacy and news reporting. Analysis and commentary should be labeled and not misrepresent fact or context..