Feast on Fido? Pyongyang serves dog 'sweet meat'

November 26, 2008

>Feast on Fido? Pyongyang serves dog 'sweet meat'

>Quality and cost of this delicacy differ from North to South Korea

Speaking as a working journalist for 40 years now, I must

point out that ethical reporting may at times include witnessing

things that are considered immoral, unethical, and repugnant to

most of the world, but it does not include actively participating in

them.

If I had a reporter who imagined that it would be okay to do

something abroad that is not acceptable (or legal) here at home,

whether sampling dog meat, testing the local hashish, or hiring

child prostitutes, that reporter would be fired.

This is consistent with the written employment policies of

most news media -- but apparently not MSNBC.

MSNBC is hardly the only offender as regards dog meat. Food

reporters frequently try & write about trying dog meat with apparent

impunity. Among the hierarchy of journalists, though, food

journalists are generally ranked with sports reporters and travel

writers as denizens of a " soft " beat, often popular with the public,

but perceived as not of the same skill level or ethical standards as

" real " reporters, many of whom in the normal course of their work

are not allowed to accept a plate of spaghetti from a source, let

alone a multi-course dog meat dinner.

--

Merritt Clifton

Editor, ANIMAL PEOPLE

P.O. Box 960

Clinton, WA 98236

Telephone: 360-579-2505

Fax: 360-579-2575

E-mail: anmlpepl

[ANIMAL PEOPLE is the leading independent newspaper providing

original investigative coverage of animal protection worldwide,

founded in 1992. Our readership of 30,000-plus includes the

decision-makers at more than 10,000 animal protection organizations.

We have no alignment or affiliation with any other entity. $24/year;

for free sample, send address.]

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