Social media is the modern equivalent of the refrigerator- a place to
post photos, special family announcements, and silly things that 75
years ago would have been clipped from the funny pages. Social
Media is the modern equivalent of the public bathroom wall, too often
used to share inappropriate information to embarrass someone- like "For a
good time, call X."
Social Media is a clearinghouse for tabloid-style articles. If you think Social Media is a source of news and journalistic integrity, you really are the love child of a three headed space alien. Social Media does not rise to the level of accountability expected of my fourth grade teacher, who said that when we gave talks and did reports, we needed to cite at least five resources, only two of which could be encyclopedias. We were expected to work for our facts. We were expected to stand in front of the class and answer questions about our presentations of facts.
Yes, Social Media allows for the sharing of actual news articles and links to journalistic broadcasts, as well as links to peer-reviewed journals and recognized examples of scholarship on many topics. BUT readers need to take a minute to consider the sources. Three headed aliens may have found a printing press on eBay, but that does not confer journalistic credentials on them, even if their rise to popularity is documented in a song recently released by Elvis.
I put forth and share these comments as MY OWN IDEAS.
I was inspired by listening to a discussion on NPR last night in the car about how to promote integrity on Twitter and other social platforms. I must admit, the concept of "Twitter Integrity" about made me snort my steering wheel. I consider the short blurbs generated by Twitter to most often resemble the bumper stickers and t-shirts in a souvenir shop- you giggle at them in the store, but would not likely actually spend money on them to wear nor stick on your car. Sure, there are nuggets of wisdom amid the graffiti, but do they elevate all quotes, quips, and exclamations by association?
Social Media is a clearinghouse for tabloid-style articles. If you think Social Media is a source of news and journalistic integrity, you really are the love child of a three headed space alien. Social Media does not rise to the level of accountability expected of my fourth grade teacher, who said that when we gave talks and did reports, we needed to cite at least five resources, only two of which could be encyclopedias. We were expected to work for our facts. We were expected to stand in front of the class and answer questions about our presentations of facts.
Yes, Social Media allows for the sharing of actual news articles and links to journalistic broadcasts, as well as links to peer-reviewed journals and recognized examples of scholarship on many topics. BUT readers need to take a minute to consider the sources. Three headed aliens may have found a printing press on eBay, but that does not confer journalistic credentials on them, even if their rise to popularity is documented in a song recently released by Elvis.
I put forth and share these comments as MY OWN IDEAS.
I was inspired by listening to a discussion on NPR last night in the car about how to promote integrity on Twitter and other social platforms. I must admit, the concept of "Twitter Integrity" about made me snort my steering wheel. I consider the short blurbs generated by Twitter to most often resemble the bumper stickers and t-shirts in a souvenir shop- you giggle at them in the store, but would not likely actually spend money on them to wear nor stick on your car. Sure, there are nuggets of wisdom amid the graffiti, but do they elevate all quotes, quips, and exclamations by association?
