For standing up to corporate media, journalism, and yes, Bill O'Reilly, Barry Nolan is our BuzzFlash Wings of Justice winner

THE BUZZFLASH WINGS OF JUSTICE AWARD

http://wingsofjustice.com/08/06/woj08023.html

BuzzFlash is certainly never short of words when it comes to criticizing the corporate mainstream media. The decision of the New England Emmys' Chapter to give Bill O'Reilly a special honor at its annual gala on May 10 is further proof of how far adrift broadcast "news" has become from basic standards of decency and excellence.

But Barry Nolan, a television host on Comcast in Boston, proved that there are exceptions to every rule. Nolan took it upon himself to protest the award to O'Reilly, going so far as to distribute pamphlets at the event protesting the Governor's Award going to the chattering nabob of "The Factor."

Nolan had e-mailed members of the chapter encouraging them to protest what he called "an appalling choice for an honor."

"He's delusional," Nolan said of O'Reilly. "He's a man that mangles the facts. He inflates and constantly mangles the truth, and his frequent target is the 'left-leaning' media -- the ones who do report the news fairly," Nolan wrote in an e-mail to his colleagues.

For his rare act of courage, Nolan was rewarded by getting fired from his job by Comcast, which proved that there's no room for a real journalist in the world of corporate media.

According to a column in the Boston Herald, the ACLU is now weighing in to defend Nolan:

"Comcast's decision to terminate Mr. Nolan is most unfortunate, as it suggests that independent journalism is not valued or perhaps even understood at Comcast," wrote Jim Wolken, senior director of communications for the ACLU of Massachusetts.

"Bill O'Reilly's struggles with fact-based journalism have been well documented by numerous independent sources, making Mr. Nolan's firing all the more disturbing," wrote Wolken, who didn't cite the sources. "Barry Nolan's value to the public is that his credentials as a reporter cannot be bought or intimidated. By firing him, Comcast injures its own reputation as a reliable source for news."

Barry Nolan, you may not have a job, but you have our deepest gratitude. For your determination and high professional standards, you merit being honored with this week's BuzzFlash Wings of Justice Award.

THE BUZZFLASH WINGS OF JUSTICE AWARD

Technorati Tags: BuzzFlash Honors Wings of Justice Barry Nolan Comcast Bill O'Reilly journalism integrity