This is a blog about my teaching, research and service with some occasional personal comments thrown in. These are my notes on a variety of topics. If you want to follow my blog posts on a specific topic, then see the Table of Contents in the right-hand column. While I try to work in the realm of facts, logic and moral absolutes, if there are any opinions expressed here, they are my own. -WilliamHartPhD
It's sad when people attempt to take advantage or deceive others during times of natural disasters. It's even worse when media representatives are so desperate for a "scoop" that they report such stories without verification. False media reports only add to the confusion during times when those most in need rely on honest reporting. False reports also create havoc with loved ones who depend on the media when they are unable to connect with those in the midst of danger.
You have to hope that people who put out false stories figure that everyone will know it's a hoax and that it wasn't done with malice. But more often than not, that's not the case.
Re: Sandy News Coverage. I believe that there is a thin -very thin, line between news coverage and sensationalism. While I agree that we don't need to see the same newsperson standing in the wind at the beach every four hours reporting the same story over and over, I do see the significance of periodical reporting by a newsperson as a story progresses. However, in that case, the trouble is ensuring that the newsperson doesn’t become part of the story.
When I read “news” on Twitter, I take it with a grain of sand (pinch of salt?) because Twitter reminds me of the game we played at parties where you whisper a story in the first person’s ear and by the end of the game you try to see how accurate the end story is to the beginning story. Tweets go through so many hands it’s impossible to find out where the story began, or even if the story was accurate to begin with.
To piggyback on what Terry said it's sad to say that this is what media and social networks has come to. People take advantage of social networks and use them in ways that it was never intended to be. This day in time you don't know what to believe.
Cierra, This problem is complicated by the vast number of people who read such news feeds and accept them as fact without really verifying either the source or the legitimacy of the story. More often than not, many of these people forward or repeat the story as if it has come from a legitimate news agency.
Re:Robin Roberts, MSNBC on Ebony Power 100 List: It suprises me that MSNBC made it on the list. I feel like they don't fully cover news like they should. They cater to a particular audience. To me, they are not diverse.
What better marriage could there be between two media companies than Disney and Lucasfilm. George Lucas has grown the Star Wars brand into one of the most profitable in motion picture history, and Disney is the industry standard in producing films that appeal to the entire family. Lucas has left his legacy in good hands.
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It's sad when people attempt to take advantage or deceive others during times of natural disasters. It's even worse when media representatives are so desperate for a "scoop" that they report such stories without verification. False media reports only add to the confusion during times when those most in need rely on honest reporting. False reports also create havoc with loved ones who depend on the media when they are unable to connect with those in the midst of danger.
ReplyDeleteYou have to hope that people who put out false stories figure that everyone will know it's a hoax and that it wasn't done with malice. But more often than not, that's not the case.
DeleteRe: Sandy News Coverage. I believe that there is a thin -very thin, line between news coverage and sensationalism. While I agree that we don't need to see the same newsperson standing in the wind at the beach every four hours reporting the same story over and over, I do see the significance of periodical reporting by a newsperson as a story progresses. However, in that case, the trouble is ensuring that the newsperson doesn’t become part of the story.
ReplyDeleteWhen I read “news” on Twitter, I take it with a grain of sand (pinch of salt?) because Twitter reminds me of the game we played at parties where you whisper a story in the first person’s ear and by the end of the game you try to see how accurate the end story is to the beginning story. Tweets go through so many hands it’s impossible to find out where the story began, or even if the story was accurate to begin with.
ReplyDeleteTo piggyback on what Terry said it's sad to say that this is what media and social networks has come to. People take advantage of social networks and use them in ways that it was never intended to be. This day in time you don't know what to believe.
ReplyDeleteCierra,
DeleteThis problem is complicated by the vast number of people who read such news feeds and accept them as fact without really verifying either the source or the legitimacy of the story. More often than not, many of these people forward or repeat the story as if it has come from a legitimate news agency.
So true Terry. People act too quickly after hearing or seeing something instead of doing proper research to see if it is true or not.
DeleteRe:Robin Roberts, MSNBC on Ebony Power 100 List: It suprises me that MSNBC made it on the list. I feel like they don't fully cover news like they should. They cater to a particular audience. To me, they are not diverse.
ReplyDeleteDisney Buying Lucasfilm for $4 Billion
ReplyDeleteWhat better marriage could there be between two media companies than Disney and Lucasfilm. George Lucas has grown the Star Wars brand into one of the most profitable in motion picture history, and Disney is the industry standard in producing films that appeal to the entire family. Lucas has left his legacy in good hands.