Category Archives: journalism

New Book on American Indians & Popular Culture

Posted on January 31, 2012 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

Our new book on American Indians and popular culture arrives in February, right on the heels of ruminations about how politics and science are fused. Because my work examines how Native American cultural values are treated in mediated discourse within … Continue reading →

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Can We Engage Indians in Science?

Posted on January 30, 2012 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

Recently I was asked to give a talk at a conference for serious science writers and bloggers who wondered what it would take to engage more American Indians in science communication. In traditional native circles, science isn’t separated from other … Continue reading →

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Science as Prescription

Posted on January 4, 2012 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

The current edition of Newsweek is chock-full of stories that will make you happier and healthier. Or not. The writers have fallen victim to the false reasoning that you can apply scientific results to your own particular case.

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Censoring Science

Posted on December 30, 2011 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

When is it appropriate for scientists to withhold information to scientific communities? To lay communities? Such thorny questions brought folks into the arenas of scientific circles recently when the New York Times reported that two prominent publications, Science and Nature, … Continue reading →

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Poor Sods with a Keyboard

Posted on November 17, 2011 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

Journalism practices have changed dramatically since the days I worked as a reporter and today any poor sod with a keyboard can wax moronically just by pushing a button marked “send.” Bile erupted in response to an editorial I wrote … Continue reading →

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Freedom of Moronic Ranting

Posted on November 15, 2011 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

On Monday the Oregonian placed my opinion piece on the top of the guest editorial column, complete with photos of the proposed cigarette packs, and a link to opinions online. I’m flattered the newspaper found salience in my views but … Continue reading →

Posted in journalism, news bias, social media, writing | Tagged | 2 Comments

Authenticity and Identity

Posted on November 4, 2011 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

One of the key aspects of the political debates surrounding Kennewick Man invokes Indian authenticity, particularly in light that some (not all) anthropologists judged the 9,400-year-old skeleton as Caucasoid, a term that quickly transformed in media coverage as “Caucasian.”

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Broken Hearts, Broken Promises

Posted on October 21, 2011 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

I thought my heart would break as a read through the treaties in a large volume dated in 1825 during my visit to Chicago’s Newberry Library last week. The volume contains page after page of US-Indian treaties. John Quincy Adams … Continue reading →

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The Balance Imperative and Native Concerns

Posted on October 5, 2011 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

In journalism classes we teach the balance imperative. Get both sides of the story. But as journalism critics we acknowledge that being balanced doesn’t mean the story always gets told.

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Contagion

Posted on September 26, 2011 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

I’ve delayed reading the reviews for the new film Contagion until I sort though my feelings. When I worked at the CDC my colleagues didn’t suit up in the Day-Glo orange hazard gear but they did venture to outbreaks to … Continue reading →

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