We The Media 4

Chapter 10 starts out by discussing the Brock Meeks case (Suarez Corp. v. Meeks). Meeks was the first online journalist to be sued for libel. It was a wake up call for other online journalists because it made them, and everyone else, realize that the Internet is not free from the laws of print journalism. Even something as innocent as writing in your personal blog can be libelous. You have to be careful. Also, if you are a high profile blogger and it’s worth it to get insured, you should. The last thing you want is to get sued and be out tons of money. Also, since the Internet is available to everyone, it is hard to say where that jurisdiction lies. Someone could post something in one state and have a person in a completely different state open it and be offended. Or it could be someone in an entirely different country.

Chapter 11 discusses copyrighting, the government’s imposition on the Internet and overall..Big Brother, as we son fondly call the government. When the Internet started out, the first users thought that it would be a space of freedom, to do whatever they wanted with. But it has become such a force and presence in our lives that it has to be regulated, in my opinion. Some feel that it shouldn’t be. Some countries have gone as far as to regulate every site that is available, mainly China. The Chinese government can be very particular about what its citizens are allowed to access. They even shut down internet access at one point a few years ago.

Chapter 12 discusses just how much the Internet has changed our lives. It influences almost every aspect because of it’s easy accessibility. We rely on it to get our news, do our shopping, do our banking and connect with friends and family. In terms of getting our news, the Internet has especially become the main source of information. We can see this just by looking at the world of print newspapers. Newspapers all over the country have been closing their doors and converting to online only versions. I myself have the New York Times online feed saved as a favorite on my browser. More than any other profession, journalists and future journalists need to learn as much as they can about the web and all the laws that go along with it. It is the future of news.

My Final Website

This is the screenshot of my final website.

We The Media 4

Chapter 10 touches on a very sensitive issue especially in regards to the blogosphere. Libel law has always been something all journalists had to fear and keep in mind especially when they publish critical information. So how does this connect to blogging? Gilmour explains that he intends not to scare us with his stories of numerous internet journalists  who have been charged with libelous content. The author reiterates this chapter is not to be deemed as legal advice but rather as examples how libel law has affected web based news content. Bloggers have to be especially careful in assuming that they are completely protected by the 1^st amendment against libel law. I feel this chapter serves as a warning to always keep libel law in mind, even when you are harmlessly blogging.

Chapter 11 tells us to be keen to how the government and other authorities are rapidly changing the web to become more restricted. The author tells us to say goodbye to all the notions we had of having the web as a completely free and protected forum of free speech. With the activation of libel laws and other regulations the web is becoming a controlled forum rather than an open one. In fact Gilmour argues that the increase of such regulations has and will limit the growth of grass-roots journalism. I agree with the author that the web needs to remain a forum for free speech without concern of libel laws or restrictions. It is important for us to be able to speak our candid voices especially on the web.

The combination of media and journalism through technology has made the web the most important invention since the printing press. Chapter 12 attempts to tie in all previous chapters to make one clear point. The media has evolved because of the web. Now those who fail to jump on board to the digital renaissance will be left behind. It is important for every media journalist to understand the impact of the web and its implications on journalism. The media have to adapt to the technology in order to stay relevant but at the same time face many ethical and moral issues.

We the Media 3

Chapter 7 presents some interesting discussions involving the role of bloggers in providing news coverage. When an important Iraqi march was failed to be covered by any major news outlet, its only coverage was presented by bloggers. Gilmour argues that every day citizens turned bloggers have become just as big a part of journalism as actual professional journalists. Even though in countries like our own, most bloggers involve themselves in trivial matters, bloggers from countries like Iran have influence on far more serious matters like politics, and even revolution. I agree that bloggers have become a necessary part of journalism today.

Chapter 8 argues for major news sources on the web to consider bloggers more intently. Web news filters and engines like Google News offer new innovative ways to not only retrieve news, but also to filter and organize news. However a major flaw of these web based news resources are that they neglect grass roots journalism and only consider a minor fraction of the blogosphere as credible or relevant. I disagree with the author because it is too difficult to find credibility in blogs which are based on subjective content.

Chapter 9 discusses the use of spin and falsified media and how its evolved from conventional news media to the web. With so many people having access to produce their own professional looking blogs, websites, and media, how are we to tell if it is fraudulent or legitimate. The author argues that in fact media had been forced to face this dilemma head-on as many web based resources are called into question by conventional media resources.

We The Media 4

By Adam Heller

Writing on the web is a dangerous thing. I myself am fearful of being sued sometimes for the stuff I post and write about. Having libel insurance is a great idea, but not very practical. I agree with the author about how great it is to be able to make changes, correct, or pull content off a site compared to print. I often find if you comply with users wishes, like taking something down they deem inappropriate or libel, then they usually leave you alone. I guess if you took the libel content down, then they really have no proof you ever posted it. Screen shots can be doctored in Photoshop.

The Intel incident was interesting to read. The Supreme Court ruled that sending anti-Intel emails to current employees was not a crime. I think they ruled that way because they equated the situation to the former employee breaking in and trespassing. Although this section of the chapter was interesting, I don’t think it is a great example.

Copyright  infringement is the biggest problem on the internet. I recently bought a pair of Jordan basketball shoes on the web and they shipped from China. They were replicas of the real thing. I did not know that when I bought them, so I put them up for sale on eBay and stated they were replicas. They took down my listing because of these infringement rights. I said somewhere in the text the words “Air Jordan” and they found that misleading.

I agree that big business and the copyright cartel will and have increased restrictions on grassroots journalism. I don’t think news will go 100% government. No one would believe it.

Cookies are totally network spy’s, but very useful to users too.

The author mentions peer-to-peer files sharing platforms. The problem with making them all illegal is that it will not stop the evolution of piracy. There are always new ways to burn CDs, Bluray’s and share files. Only people with moral standing will not choose to go this route. The numbers of people with high moral standard is growing. Not quite as much as the other side of the coin, but enough to make entertainment profitable.

I like the fact the author does try to get the readers politically active. He even gives ideas on how to user your power as a consumer.

Most of chapter 11 was information, not based on the author’s opinion. Most of it seemed out of date.

The Internet is the most important medium since the printing press. I totally agree with that. I also agree the Big Media is finally listening to the people because of this wave of media outlets that allow everyone to be a journalist.

I disagree with the author about public officials paying attention to the interests of their constituents. He does state that it is a hope, but politicians have one agenda, the politician.

Although the book is dated, the author has a deep understanding of technology and its evolution. A lot of what I read had a lot to do with what I am learning in my computer ethics class. I would love to see a revised version of this book.

We the Media 4

In chapter 10, Gillmor does a good job of scaring any new Internet user, even despite the disclaimer at the beginning. However, he does make a good point that it is important to be aware of the possible implications the things one posts on the Internet can have. It was no surprise that Matt Drudge has been sued. What was surprising was that when the case of libel went to court, Drudge won. Most people probably don’t have as many followers as Drudge, but the world can learn from his mistakes, or lack thereof. I am glad Gillmor mentioned this case because it reinsures writer’s journalistic freedom. In any case, I think I’ll pay a little bit more attention to things I publish online, especially when referencing certain information.

I am not shocked to read that some countries have started to regulate the Internet and the information citizens get from it. I understand that knowledge is power and that the Internet is a powerful thing, but I feel all people should have the right to access information and make decisions for themselves. It all comes down to freedom. In chapter 11, Gillmor discusses how copyrights, government and big businesses are infringing upon our freedoms. I thought it was funny that Gillmor referenced Disney when talking about copyright infringement. Imagine if copyrights were in full force during the 1930s and Mickey Mouse never came to be.

I agree with Gillmor in chapter 12 when he says the Internet is the new and most important medium. For journalists, the Internet is the future. As I write this, journalists are trying to figure out an effective way to combine computers and news. I believe the future of journalism will be niche marketing. Instead of a cover-all approach of newspapers, online news sites will cater information to your interests. As a journalism student, I have always been taught to be critical of information you come across online, but this book just reaffirmed that statement. With the current Internet trends, everyone is taking on the role of journalist, and it’s our job as readers to be aware of what we are reading and if it is credible. That’s not to say there is no truth out in the cyber world, but it is to say that people need to be more aware as readers.