opinion

AI “Actress” Tilly Norwood Raises Tough Questions About Copyright and Ownership

Oct 07, 2025 at 09:57 am by WGNS News

COMMENTARY - A new AI-generated “actor” named Tilly Norwood is sparking major debate about copyright and artificial intelligence. Her creators used thousands of im.... Read More

From Nixon to Today: Why Politicians Must Endure Criticism, a Media Commentary by Dr. Burriss at MTSU

Sep 30, 2025 at 01:50 am by WGNS News

Media Commentary: Since the Nixon administration’s “enemies list,” the line between opposing policies and opposing political figures has often blurred, makin.... Read More

MTSU’s Dr. Larry Burriss Weighs In on Free Speech and Local Accountability

Sep 15, 2025 at 01:26 pm by WGNS News

Murfreesboro, TN - In a time when debates over speech and censorship echo from college campuses to social media platforms, Dr. Larry Burriss of Middle Tennessee State Uni.... Read More

Media Commentary by MTSU Professor: From Fads to Fashion: Who Really Decides What’s “In”?

Aug 21, 2025 at 01:31 am by WGNS News

Commentary - Trends in fashion often start when a popular person wears something new, and others copy it until the media declares it the latest fad. The problem is, even if yo.... Read More

Commentary: Elvis, Kidnappings, and Palladium: The Problem with Misused Data

Aug 06, 2025 at 10:04 pm by WGNS News

COMMENTARY - News stories often use real numbers but come to the wrong conclusions by twisting the facts. Statistics can be misleading when not explained clearly—like.... Read More

MTSU’s Dr. Burriss Remembers Exactly Where He Was—and What He Was Wearing—During Woodstock ’69

Jul 29, 2025 at 09:55 am by WGNS News

COMMENTARY: In August 1969, the famous Woodstock Music and Art Fair took place. It was actually in Bethel, New York—and not the town of Woodstock. With a reflection on w.... Read More

Op-Ed: Rep. Bryan Terry Champions Right to Try 2.0 for Tennesseans with Rare Diseases

Jun 12, 2025 at 02:33 pm by WGNS News

Bryan Terry: New hope for Tennesseeans with rare diseases - Imagine having a spouse, child or loved one suffering from a rare, terminal illness or debilitating condition. Afte.... Read More

COMMENTARY: Why Public Officials Can't Sue News Outlets for Mistakes, by MTSU Professor

Apr 28, 2025 at 05:51 pm by WGNS News

COMMENTARY: In a recent court case, former vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin sued "The New York Times" for libel after the newspaper made a factual mistake about her. Th.... Read More

COMMENTARY: Time, Tradition, and Tension with B.C. and A.D.

Apr 15, 2025 at 09:34 am by WGNS News

Commentary: Some of the words and abbreviations we use to describe people, places, and things have evolved over time. But did you know that even the way we refer to dates and.... Read More

The World’s Impact on America: Why Global News Matters – Commentary by Dr. Burriss

Mar 26, 2025 at 09:02 am by WGNS News

COMMENTARY: No one lives completely alone, and the same is true for countries—they are all connected. Events in other parts of the world, like conflicts or economic chan.... Read More

COMMENTARY: MTSU’s Dr. Larry Burriss Reports that Behind the Red Carpet, It’s the Money that Makes the Awards Shows Go, Go, Go

Mar 06, 2025 at 11:37 am by WGNS News

COMMENTARY: In today’s media commentary, Dr. Larry Burriss, a professor of journalism in the College of Media and Entertainment at MTSU, focused on television awards sho.... Read More

Media Commentary on Misunderstood Moments: The Iwo Jima Flag Raising Controversy

Feb 25, 2025 at 08:32 pm by WGNS News

Media Commentary: February 23rd marked the 80th anniversary of the iconic flag raising on Iwo Jima during World War II. The famous photograph taken by Joe Rosenthal shows the.... Read More

Media Commentary by MTSU Professor Larry Burriss: The Illusion of Fame: Reality vs. Perception

Feb 18, 2025 at 09:12 am by WGNS News

COMMENTARY: In this media commentary, Dr. Larry Burriss focuses on the nature of fame and the role of media in shaping perceptions of public figures like entertainers, athlete.... Read More

COMMENTARY: MTSU Professor Examines the Fear Factor: From Depression-Era Paranoia to Modern Vigilance

Feb 04, 2025 at 07:28 am by WGNS News

COMMENTARY: During the Great Depression, mysterious sidewalk markings stating "They're coming" sparked fears of an invasion by the unemployed, prompting increased police patro.... Read More

A Tale of Two Press Conferences: A Commentary in Professionalism by Dr. Larry Burriss

Jan 08, 2025 at 10:33 am by WGNS News

Commentary: Examining and contrasting is an efficient tool for journalism professors, and it’s also important for students to understand news coverage and all that goes.... Read More

The Debate Over Social Media Age Ban – Commentary by Dr. Burriss, an MTSU Professor

Dec 13, 2024 at 05:00 pm by WGNS News

COMMENTARY: Australia has introduced a law requiring social media platforms to take reasonable steps to prevent children under the age of 16 from creating accounts, aiming to.... Read More

Media Commentary by MTSU Professor Larry Burriss: Polling Predictions Fall Flat in Election Aftermath

Nov 21, 2024 at 01:25 am by WGNS News

OPINION: The aftermath of the recent election has been dominated by debates over polling accuracy and media analysis. Polls initially suggested a close race with potential leg.... Read More

OPINION: State Rep. Mike Sparks on Civility that is Easy if We Remember What Unites Instead of Dwelling on Division

Oct 25, 2024 at 03:40 pm by WGNS News

EDITORIAL (Submitted) - Our nation is gripped every four years with a 24-hour news cycle outlining the vast differences between Democrats and Republicans. The American people.... Read More

Commentary: From Cuban Missile Crisis to Instant News: How Journalism Has Changed

Oct 15, 2024 at 12:20 am by WGNS News

Commentary: MTSU Journalism Professor Larry Burriss compared news coverage during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis with today’s instant reporting. He highlighted how chal.... Read More

Commentary by MTSU Professor Dr. Burriss: Iran’s Nuclear Ambitions and Why the Doomsday Clock Isn’t Ticking Yet

Oct 10, 2024 at 01:03 am by WGNS News

COMMENTARY: In recent weeks, media outlets have been buzzing about Iran's nuclear program and the potential for them to build a nuclear weapon. Some reports suggest this could.... Read More