Journalism has always played a vital role in society. In recent years though we’ve seen (American) journalism become pretty much useless, with lies being reported as facts. Instead of honest reporting, we’re getting biased opinions. It’s a sad place we’ve come to be when we can’t even turn on a TV, or open a newspaper, without wondering whether the reports within are fact-based or spin.

At least with governments, we’ve come to expect a fair amount of untruths. The whole point of journalism is to report on FACTS. TV news programs and newspapers shouldn’t be allowed to use the word ‘news’ if it’s based on some reporter’s opinion!

Where does the truth lie in the following? Your guess is as good as mine.

Iran: No secret arms deal with Syria

Syrian and Iranian Presidents, Bashar Assad, right, and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, left, front.

TEHRAN, Iran - Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman on Sunday dismissed as a “media game” recent reports of a secret arms deal with Syria allegedly made in return for an agreement that Damascus would not hold peace talks with Israel.

Mohammad Ali Hosseini refused to provide confirmation of the deal and questioned how the media would know about it if it was confidential.

“This is a media game,” said Hosseini during his weekly news briefing. “It is not confirmed.”

The Arabic newspaper Asharq al-Awsat reported Saturday that Iran would provide $1 billion to Syria for advanced weapons procurement and would assist the country with nuclear research and the development of chemical weapons, with the understanding that Damascus would not negotiate peace with Israel.

The deal was allegedly signed Thursday when Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad visited Syria, said the newspaper. Israeli media later rebroadcast the report.
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Both countries face U.S. accusations of fueling violence in Iraq and supporting Lebanon’s Hezbollah guerrilla group, which Washington labels a terrorist organization. They are also accused of supporting militant anti-Israeli Palestinian groups, like Hamas.

Article at Yahoo! News