4-1 Blog: Mistakes, False News, and Errors

Mistakes, False News, and Errors

The New York Times article The F.B.I. Criticizes the News Media After Several Mistaken Reports of an Arrest highlights the growing trend of ask for forgiveness, not permission in journalism. The Code of Ethics from the Society for Professional Journalists provides an opportunity to examine the problems with report now, apologize later as well as the opportunity to examine the logical fallacy confirmation bias. Understanding how these shifts have changed news distribution in new media is necessary for developing a better sense of accuracy in news information.

Ask for Forgiveness, Not Permission

Report now, apologize later is an interesting concept in modern journalism because this reflects the journalism of assertion structure. Journalism of assertion violates several fundamentals of the Code of Ethics from the Society for Professional Journalists. Two notable examples are

• Take responsibility for the accuracy of their work. Verify information before releasing it. Use original sources whenever possible (Society for Professional Journalists, 2014, para. 4).
• Remember that neither speed nor format excuses inaccuracy (Society for Professional Journalists, 2014, para. 4).

This method of journalism creates a significant problem for fact checking because the burden of responsibility is shifted away from the journalist and onto the consumer (Kovach and Rosenstiel, 2010). When left to the public, journalism of assertion easily evolves into journalism of affirmation. Consumers are generally not skilled in fact checking nor do they have the resources and the biggest issue is consumers tend to find information that supports preconceived ideas. Confirmation Bias is the tendency, “to look only for evidence that confirms one’s beliefs and to ignore or pay less attention to evidence that contradicts one’s beliefs” (Sullivan, 2009, p. 99)

Verification vs. Affirmation

Returning to the roots of journalism of verification is a noble cause but almost unrealistic. Modern culture has shifted to the point that assertion and affirmation journalism are the primary modes of news information distribution. Reporter Bill Carter (2013) illustrates an example of sloppy news distribution with the April 2013 coverage of the Boston Bombings

“Numerous organizations, including The Associated Press, The Boston Globe and several local Boston television stations, erroneously reported Wednesday afternoon that an arrest had been made, or that a suspect was in custody, citing unnamed law enforcement sources. Two of the reports came from CNN and the Fox News Channel, both the subject of widespread criticism last June after misreporting the result of the Supreme Court ruling on President Obama’s health care overhaul law” (para. 2).

Respected publications offering well-researched investigative journalism are competing with the lightning speed of the Internet, which offers blogs, pseudo-news websites, and echo chambers in the forms of social media groups and message boards to anyone with an Internet connection. These non-credible forms of information dominate public access to news, which means the public should be demanding a higher level of credibility from established news sources.

Pointing Fingers On and Off the Keyboard

In the example of the New York Times article The F.B.I. Criticizes the News Media After Several Mistaken Reports of an Arrest speed trumped accuracy and the cost was credibility. University of Southern California journalism teacher and former network news correspondent Judy Muller stated, “I fear we have permanently entered the Age of the Retraction” (Carter, 2013, para. 11). Journalistic coverage of this tragedy most notably included the SJP Ethic, “Gather, update and correct information throughout the life of a news story” (Society for Professional Journalists, 2014, para. 4).

Blame is an interesting concept in new media because blame assumes the shift of responsibility. If the public blames news media for hastily distributing poorly researched news, then the public should accept some responsibility for wanting instant news. If news media sources blame the public for not having a developed comprehension of accurate information, then media outlets should accept responsibility for strictly using credible sources.

Final Thoughts

The New York Times article The F.B.I. Criticizes the News Media After Several Mistaken Reports underscores a larger issue in modern media, which is ask for forgiveness, not permission with accuracy of information. Requiring news media sources to provide verified information and expecting the public to have some comprehension of credibility is a middle ground that should be reached. By meeting in the middle, fewer mistakes are made and less inaccurate information is disseminated.

References

Carter, B., (2013, April 17). The F.B.I. Criticizes the News Media After Several Mistaken Reports of an Arrest. New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/18/business/media/fbi-criticizes-false-reports-of-a-bombing-arrest.html?_r=0

Kovach, B., & Rosenstiel, T., (2010). Blur: How to Know What’s True in the Age of Information Overload. New York: Bloomsbury.

Society of Professional Journalists. (2014, September 6). SPJ Code of Ethics.  Retrieved from http://www.spj.org/ethicscode.asp

Sullivan, L. E. (2009). The SAGE Glossary of the Social and Behavioral Sciences. London: SAGE Publications, Inc. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.snhu.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=cookie,ip,url,cpid&custid=shapiro&db=e000xna&AN=474685&site=ehost-live&ebv=EB&ppid=pp_99

3-1 Blog: Sources, Credibility, and Social Media

Sources, Credibility, and Social Media

Credibility on the Internet is an important topic in 2015 because more people are using the Internet as a primary source of information. Discerning the validity of an Internet sources is a skill that needs to be continually developed through continual training. By evaluating the credibility of a source, a person can foster a better comprehension of information found on the Internet. To test for credibility of sources, I examined the article The Price of Nice Nails found on the New York Times website. I read this article on Facebook, which was posted by the Facebook page Southern Poverty Law Center.

Analysis of Credibility

Evaluating the sources in the Price of Nice Nails article was straightforward. Author Sarah Maslin Nir linked multiple websites to this article so I was able to analyze easily the information she presented. To simplify the examination process, I categorized the sources Nir used into three sections

• Charts and Graphs
• Personal Accounts
  • First Hand
  • Second Hand
  • Expert
• Linked Sources

The charts and graphs were cited through established and trustworthy sources such as official censuses from various government agencies. The article offered multiple first, second-hand accounts of workers from different nail salons in New York. Nir also referenced experts such as, law professors, former president of the Korean American Nail Salon Association, and the New York State Labor Department. Kovach and Rosenstiel (2010) state, “ it is useful to look for multiple sources who are independent of one another and to see if their stories all overlap with a consistency that begins to give them credibility” (p. 79-80).

Reviewing the Helpful Hints for Criteria to Evaluate the Credibility of WWW Resources on the George Mason University was practical for analyzing the links Nir provided in her article. Of the nine points listed in Criteria to Evaluate the Credibility of WWW Resources, investigating authorship of a sources seems to be the most useful aspect in determining credibility.

The 2014-2015 The Big Book Nails Magazine PDF is a thoroughly investigated report on the nail industry. This 16-page source documents statistics, standards, etiquette, marketing, and business practices in the nail industry, which supported the Nir’s article in the New York Times. Nir also referenced another article about a landmark legal case, which led me to further investigation of sources provided in the second article.

Trusting the Blogosphere

Reading blogs for information can easily become a trip into the dim side of the Internet. The most democratic forum for information distribution does not have traditional gatekeepers, which means anyone with a personal computer and an Internet connection can create a blog. I follow a handful of blogs that span my interests from pro-science, to parenting, to dance, to tabloid entertainment. However, I am skeptical of information presented in any blog including the ones I follow. I am aware of how simple creating a professional looking blog is so I tend to question statements and claims posted without citations or linked sources. By questioning the content posted by bloggers, I find that am less emotionally invested with stories and ideas.

Change Through Social Media

Social media has transformed the way information is delivered and has changed how users engage in content. In a study from the Pew Research Center, Anderson and Caumont (2014) indicate, “Half of social network site users have shared news stories, images or videos, and nearly as many  (46%) have discussed a news issue or event” (para. 3). A large percentage of the [American] population is acquiring information about events through a medium that did not exist 15 years ago. As a user of mainstream social media sites, I find that I participate in discussions, share personal information, link articles and websites, and engage in online information distribution as a normal part of my day. I cannot remember the last time I intentionally sought out and watched television, listened to the radio, or picked up a newspaper for information other than entertainment.

Final Thoughts

Through social media, I became aware of the New York Times article The Price of Nice Nails. Nir exposed some serious labor and immigration issues in the state of New York in a well-documented article. The impact of this expose was felt almost immediately, which was addressed by Nir in a follow-up article. The governor of New York ordered emergency measures to address the issues of theft and health hazard exposed in Nir’s article (Nir, 2015). By evaluating the sources in The Price of Nice Nails., I am able to determine the sources are credible, and by using social media as a source for news I am able to stay informed of issues across the country.

References

Anderson, M., & Caumont, A., (2014, September 24). How social media is reshaping news. Pew Research Center. Retrieved from http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2014/09/24/how-social-media-is-reshaping-news/

Criteria to Evaluate the Credibility of WWW Resources. (1998) George Mason University. Retrieved from http://mason.gmu.edu/~montecin/web-eval-sites.htm

Kovach, B., & Rosenstiel, T., (2010). Blur: How to Know What’s True in the Age of Information Overload. New York: Bloomsbury.

Nir Maslin, S., (2015, May 11). Cuomo Orders Emergency Measures to Protect Workers at Nail Salons. New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/11/nyregion/cuomo-orders-emergency-measures-to-protect-workers-at-nail-salons.html

Nir Maslin, S., (2015, May 7). The Price of Nice Nails. New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/10/nyregion/at-nail-salons-in-nyc-manicurists-are-underpaid-and-unprotected.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=0

1-3 Blog: Examining Media Use and Influence

Examining Media Use and Influence

PC Magazine (2015) defines new media as methods of communication, which happen primarily through the Internet that allows, “smaller groups of people to congregate online and share, sell and swap goods and information. It also allows more people to have a voice in their community and in the world in general” (para. 2). New media has been an integral part of my life for several years and has changed how I manage personal behaviors, communicate with others, consume information, and acquire goods and services.  By identifying key concepts of the indirect influence, I am able to gain a better understanding of how my beliefs have been shaped by new media.

Forms of Media I Use Daily

A cursory review of my daily technology use enlightens me to my new media habits.  The Internet is the dominant source of information in daily consumption.  I access the Internet through multiple channels including, my iMac, MacBook Pro, iPhone, and iPad.  Two observable conditions appear:

• After taking an inventory of my device use, I am apparently an Apple fan.
• My laptop has replaced my desktop as my primary tool for school because I can take my laptop into my son’s room to study while he plays with his toys.

Indirect Media Consumption

Indirect media consumption is an interesting topic because I am usually the person alerting others to information about the area in which I live. As an Information and Referral intern (n.d.), my responsibilities include establishing and maintaining information on, “local public, private and voluntary service agencies and organizations” (para. 9) as well as providing “information to individuals and families regarding military and civilian resources” (para. 9). However, in a passive context I glance at headlines of newspapers at the store, read billboards as I am driving, and occasionally catch a program on television while sitting in a waiting room.

Influence of Media on My Perspective of World Events

Media influences my perspective on world events if the event is relevant to me. In March 2015, my husband and I celebrated our ninth wedding anniversary by taking a Mediterranean cruise. During our trip, Germanwings Flight 9525 crashed in the French Alps killing all 150 people onboard (Zhang & Engel, 2015). The news coverage was affected me because I would be flying from Italy to Germany at the end of March. I searched the Internet, watched news programming in our hotel room, and sought out English language newspapers to find more information on changes of flight regulations in Europe. I needed to focus my attention on this media event because the aftermath of the crash had the potential to alter the last part of my trip as we flew from Italy back to Germany.

To Think or Not to Think; the Power of Media

Critical examination of media is a necessary skill for understanding the effects of media in the 21^st Century. By regularly examining the influence of media in my life, I am better able to identify bias, misinformation, omission, and falsification in news and other sources of information. However, media literacy is a skill that needs to be improved upon continually to maintain accuracy in critical thinking. I choose to be skeptical but other people may not be aware of the influence of media and cannot apply skepticism to media information. An area of study I wish to further develop as a professional communicator is helping people decode the messages in different types of media sources.

How Media Shapes My Beliefs – Short Term and Long Term Effects

Media can shape my beliefs as long as the information is factual, but discovering verity in media is my responsibility. In December 2014, the article Breastfed, Homebirthed Babies Taken Away From Parents For Not Using Hospital from the website Medical Kidnap Health Impact News was posted in multiple Facebook parenting groups and caused quite a stir. Parents were enraged at the idea that CPS could waltz into someone’s home that held alternative beliefs in parenting, and steal their children. My first thought was, ‘There is way more to this story! CPS does not just take babies because CPS actively works to keep families together,’ and my second thought was, ‘Medical Kidnap?? That cannot be a real news site!’

After perusing the Internet, for more information about the family involved in this story, I found that my initial thoughts were correct. Relyea (2014) of the Bellingham Herald reported that the family in question had a history of domestic violence, untreated mental illness, and were residing in inappropriate living conditions. Additionally, I explored the Health Impact News website and after clicking on their Resources tab I discovered a page of links for visitors to purchase the products mentioned in Health Impact News articles. My beliefs in can be cultivated in the long term through transparency in media if the information is true and presented in a straightforward manner.

Positive and Negative Influences of Media Shaping My Beliefs

The influence of media shaping my beliefs is generally positive because I am skeptical. Without skepticism, I think media could easily control my emotions but I strive to question the content that is presented to me. I also aim to provide multiple viewpoints to my friends and family because I want them to have a better understanding of the influence of media in their lives. Baran (2014) indicates that critical thinking about media messages and the credibility of sources is crucial because media is central to the governing process.

A Condensed Analysis of the History of Knowledge

Eight significant transformations in communications have resulted in challenging accepted methods of information gathering and distribution. Cave drawings, oral language, written word, printing press, newspapers, radio, television, and Internet have all been formats responsible for the transmission of information and thereby creating drastic societal changes (Kovach and Rosenstiel, 2010). These forms of communication are part of the Diffusion of Innovations theory, which indicates, “communication and relationships play important roles in how new ideas are adopted (or not) by individuals and groups” (Martin & Nakayama, 2010, p. 57).

The adoption of communication sources by society as an avenue for knowledge transmission has been responsible for the elevation of media as a powerful source of information. Kovach and Rosenstiel (2010) state, “Each new method of communication made the exchange of information easier, more textured, and more meaningful” (p. 12). From cave paintings to the printing press, preserving information has been an important part of the human experience. However, unlike cave paintings and books made with paper, which are fragile and deteriorate, the Internet provides any person with access the ability to record ideas and messages that will be preserved as long as the connection tools are available.

Final Thoughts

Media is a powerful tool in modern society because media has the ability to shape beliefs. Analyzing the various methods in which I consume media has been an enlightening experience. By examining the effects of media consumption in my life, I have been able to identify indirect exposure, the effects of influence in world events, and how media contributes to my thought process. Additionally, reviewing the narrative of communications in a historical context provides me with a deeper appreciation of the human experience.

References

Baran, S. J., (2014), Introduction to Mass Communication Media Literacy and Culture. (8^th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

Health Impact News. (2014, December). Breastfed, Homebirthed Babies Taken Away From Parents For Not Using Hospital. Medical Kidnap. Retrieved from http://medicalkidnap.com/2014/11/25/breastfed-homebirthed-babies-taken-away-from-parents-for-not-using-hospital/

Kovach, B., & Rosenstiel, T., (2010). Blur: How to Know What’s True in the Age of Information Overload. New York: Bloomsbury.

Martin, J. N., & Nakayama, T. K. (2010). Intercultural communication in contexts (5th ed.). Boston, MA: McGraw-Hill.

New media. (2015). PC Magazine. Retrieved from http://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/47936/new-media

Relyea, K., (2014, December 5). Court: Return Rengo children to parents, with conditions. Bellingham Herald. Retrieved from http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2014/12/05/4012570_court-return-rengo-children-to.html?sp=%2F99%2F100%2F&rh=1

USAJobs.gov (n.d.), Information Referral and Follow-up Program Manager. Retrieved from https://my.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/368649100

Zhang, B., and Engel, P., (2015, March 28). Here’s everything we know about the crash of Germanwings flight 9525. Business Insider UK. Retrieved from http://uk.businessinsider.com/everything-we-know-about-germanwings-flight-9525-2015-3?r=US

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