Why should we care? Well, partly because UPI is the once-vaunted news agency where Helen Thomas made her mark for 57 years, until quitting when the Moonies bought UPI in 2000. Also, it’s worth noting the shift in focus this represents for the agency:
UPI officials said the cuts were part of a restructuring that will focus more of its reporting on defense intelligence, security threats, and energy conflicts, according to Editor in Chief Michael Marshall.
The change is the latest in a long-running effort to keep the once leading news source profitable and in business since its 2000 takeover by News World Communications, which is owned by Rev. Sun Myung Moon's Unification Church and also operates The Washington Times.
...
The new approach will target defense intelligence, energy and resource conflicts, and security techniques and strategy, he said. That change will mean 11 positions in the Washington office will be eliminated and the news organization will seek "a network of correspondents around the world" to help with the international coverage.
Hmmm. Security threats, defense intelligence, resource and energy conflicts. Sounds really scary, huh?
Maybe that’s the point. I’ve been thinking the news media’s sole purpose these days has been to scare the crap out of everyone. It’s getting a little tiresome.
Fear sells, but I ain't buying.
