Political Writing - From the Center to the World's Margins

Most American scholars are taught at an early age about the keys of reporting and writing by examining main ideas, as well as focusing on the Who, When, Where, What, and How. Often such students are required to present newspaper articles covering current events across geographical regions – domestically and abroad. They analyze behaviors, ideas, and actions and reactions of tragedies and achievements. They investigate struggles, policies, and relationships of interests groups. Students then must make inferences and draw connections to determine measures in which their individual environments are affected by each situation through logical reasoning.

Over the next six weeks, I plan to take a similar approach of evaluating events and activities around the globe, particularly the United States' involvement in the Syrian conflict, while building upon those basic reporting concepts. My goal is to justify the significance of political reformation in ways that affect my state of consciousness, community, and beyond – from my center to the margins of the world.

***

Throughout American history, the U.S. has actively intervened in foreign conflicts for one reason or another. Such conditions for interference includes, but of course are not limited to, constraining the spread of Communism, defending democracy, acquiring financial power and territorial control, preventing biological and (in the case of Syria today) chemical warfare. However, is the U.S. presence and participation in abroad conflicts worth the risks to American resources? Is this action conducted in the best interest of national citizens? How had media coverage of these historical events shaped our knowledge and acceptance of America’s foreign intermediation?

Fox News versus CNN Politics (political ticker)

It is often recited within the public spectrum that Fox News takes a more conservative approach, while CNN practices a liberal reporting methodology. They are the most widely used news resources, especially in consideration of domestic and international political affairs. Each medium serves its own agenda, circulating bias, skewed information while censoring imperative facts from audiences.

Reporting accuracy is essential. I believe credibility, subject matter authority, and reputation hold significant ethical value, and audiences must be able to rely on news delivered objectively. Weekly, I will examine information conveyed by U.S. government officials, Fox News, and CNN concerning the Syrian conflict and our nation's involvement to separate fact from fiction, bias and impartiality, as proper reporting mandates.