By Shane Goodman shane@dmcityview.com

Project censored

For about 30 years, alternative papers like Cityview have published "Project Censored," an annual look at major news stories that the major media have ignored. The endeavor started with a disenchanted college professor, Carl Jensen, and his disgust for the media's preoccupation with "junk food news." Today, this compilation is published in dozens of alternative newspapers across the nation and in various Internet sites.

With media organizations continuing to be purchased by large corporations, news content has certainly changed. And although the term "censored" may take it too far, it is fair to say that today's corporate reporters are not covering the tough subjects like was once done. And this trend is not changing, despite massive losses in both paid circulation of daily newspapers and in viewership of local broadcasting. Important subject matter will continue to be disregarded while the chains move their focus from hard-hitting news to celebrity gossip and images of local people drunk at bars. We are seeing it firsthand here in Des Moines, and it disheartens us, too. Journalistic laziness? We don't think so, as we know that true reporters want to report news that matters. But journalists need a paycheck, too, and will grudgingly report what they are directed by their editors to do. That's not saying that a journalist should have free will to report whatever he or she wants. As an alternative publisher, we don't condone that either. We do believe in journalistic freedom, and that must come at the management level, whether corporate or locally-owned.

We published the top 10 stories that were ignored by the major media this year. And for a view of the top 25, visit our website at www.dmcityview.com.

Thanks, Jen.

We said goodbye to our art director, Jen Geigley, last week as she left Cityview to join the wild and crazy life in the insurance industry. In all seriousness, we will miss her and are very thankful for the work she did for the paper. We brought a familiar face back to Cityview to replace her. Roderick Kabel, publisher of Art Scene and former art director of Cityview, has rejoined the staff and will bring his style back to the pages of the paper. Rod will continue to publish Art Scene each month under our agreement. We are glad to have him on board.
Thanks for reading.

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