Opinion poses as fact in Daily Mirror
The journalist asserts that ‘the plight of Palestinians is the root cause of many of the conflicts across the world…’ Rather than an established fact, this represents a personal opinion expressed in what is supposed to be an objective piece of news-reporting.
AREA OF CONCERN: Impartiality
“The Press, whilst free to be partisan, must distinguish clearly between comment, conjecture and fact.”
Press Complaints Commission Code of Conduct
Daily Mirror, by Bob Roberts, 6 November 2008
The world has changed and now it's time for tough policy decisions
Barack Obama hit the ground running last night as he unveiled key appointments to his cabinet within hours of his historic poll victory.
The President-elect showed he is keen to make a speedy transition from the Bush era as he named Congressman Rahm Emanuel as his chief-of-staff.
Emanuel is an outspoken former aide of President Clinton. He could be joined in the Obama team by ex-Presidential hopeful John Kerry, a candidate for Secretary of State.
The all-star cabinet could also include Bush's former Secretary of State Colin Powell. And Obama has hinted he may keep Bush's defence secretary, Robert Gates.
The president and his top team will be under no illusions about the tough issues ahead.
Long after the euphoria of this historic election fades, Americans will be looking to Obama to drag them out of the economic mire and rescue the global respect thrown away by war-mongering George Bush's foreign policy.
As Obama said in his speech, the road ahead will be long and hard. How he will address the difficulties is yet to be seen. But here are the key issues that will be piling up in his in-tray as he prepares to enter office:
Economy
Obama's top priority will be trying to pull the US economy out of a potential recession following the financial meltdown triggered by the credit crunch.
Democrats believe the situation is so urgent they want to recall Congress for a "lame duck" session even before the new administration takes over - to pass an economic stimulus bill which would give sweeping tax breaks.
Iraq
The new man at the helm has pledged the withdrawal of combat forces within 16 months of taking office.
There has been a fall in violence allowing the opportunity to pull out US and British troops and credibly claim a victory.
But with a draft agreement with the Iraqi government over a more limited withdrawal already on the table, he faces difficult decisions if the security situation begins to deteriorate.
He might also have a tricky relationship with General David Petraeus, new commander of US forces throughout the Middle East, who was the key architect of the "surge" policy which boosted troop numbers in Iraq.
Afghanistan
Obama believes the main effort in the war on terror should be made in this region.
With a rapidly deteriorating security situation in Kabul as well as the provinces, and the Taliban apparently taking the offensive, urgent action seems to be needed. Obama believes political and economic progress should also be used.
Iran
Tehran is believed to be developing nuclear weapons. Obama has said he would be ready to negotiate alongside the EU and the UN.
But there is little prospect of success and Israel is itching to carry out a military strike on nuclear bases which could provoke retaliation across the world and risk an oil price crisis.
Pakistan
US intelligence agencies see the country as the new power base of al-Qaeda and there is a desire to launch cross-border attacks on terrorist bases from Afghanistan.
It risks fuelling a deepening mood of anti-Americanism in the Muslim country.
An increase in militancy may follow with the growing risk of a terrorist attacks on US interests across the globe.
Middle East
The peace process between Israel and the Palestinians has stalled. The Israelis are due an election.
The Palestinian leadership is split. There is no sign of progress. But Obama knows the plight of Palestinians is the root cause of many of the conflicts across the world and sparks suicide attacks.
China
The new superpower has its own slowdown. Obama needs to strike trade deals to allow both economies to grow. He will face a backlash from US workers who fear cheap Chinese goods could threaten jobs.
Healthcare
While Britain has a health service that provides universal treatment, America does not. Horror stories - such as the one where a New York man had to choose which hand to save after an accident because his insurance company won't pay out for both - are common.
Obama's plan has pledged universal health care coverage, at the cost of Û100billion a year. He would have to start soon to lay the groundwork. But there are growing doubt whether the American budget could - or should - afford it.
Global warming
The world is waiting to see whether the US will agree to sign up to a new treaty on climate change when the Kyoto agreement expires. With a deadline less than a year away, America will have to make its position clear if negotiations are to have a chance of being successful.