Unrestricted Web Publishing

Today’s blog post is regarding this week’s assignment, which was to visit each source online, evaluate its credibility based on the guidelines set in Criteria to Evaluate the Credibility of WWW Resources, and draft a blog post that briefly states a potential impact of unrestricted web publishing through mass media as it relates to this article. 

More than ever, a spot light is being shined on healthcare reform in the United States and the great things it can do for costs. However, the spot light is not being shined as brightly on impoverished Americans, who even with reforms to Medicare programs, are still at a loss in receiving consistent, affordable, quality healthcare. Many of those deemed as impoverished in this country are women with children. Surprisingly, there are more Americans who are between the ages of 19-64 who do not have children or dependents and are overlooked for that fact, leaving them unable to get the assistance they need to seek medical resources.

For this blog post, I chose an online article published by the New York Times titled, “It’s not only Mothers and Children.” It mentions that even with changes to the current healthcare reform law, people who earn too little to buy subsidized coverage are exempt from receiving quality healthcare. Affected are over 8 million Americans who live in 26 (mostly Republican-led) states.

What I found to be unique about this article, unlike other articles I reviewed, is that this article does not just have one author. This article is an editorial piece that was written by The New York Times Editorial Board. The Editorial Board consists of 17 journalists with wide ranging areas of education, expertise, and work experience. Do to the extensive credentials and amount of journalists involved, here is a link to their bios:

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/opinion/editorialboard.html#AndrewRosenthal 

The New York Times, and the Editorial Board, both have a long standing proven track record of reporting valid and accurate news and deemed by the public to be one of the more credible sources of news reporting today. Even though this article did not have cited sources or links to refer to specifically, each of these journalists can be considered to be a reporter-source based on their credentials alone. Even though they all have managed to build up their credibility via the sources they rely on for their information, the great track record they have established is validated by their basis of knowledge and work experience. Kovach and Kosentiel (2010) remind us that, “credentials alone are insufficient.” Since specific sources could not be found explaining where facts and figures in the article came from, more time must be taken to look more closely at the author(s).

Strictly relating to this article, the potential impact of unrestricted web publishing through mass media can be detrimental to the effectiveness of relaying information, the credibility to The New York Times, and to the authors. A website that was established and centered around reporting news accurately that prides itself in publishing works created by well-established journalists has more potential as being seen as credible than this article being post on a personal homepage, by a company on a commercial site, or a professional site. Such sites tend to be filled with bias and special/personal agendas and may detract from a credible publication like this above mentioned article.

THE EDITORIAL BOARD. "It's Not Only Mothers and Children." New York Times. N.p., 12 Oct. 2013. Web. 13 Oct. 2013. <http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/13/opinion/sunday/its-not-only-mothers-and-children.html>.

Social Media and Truth

During my last year as an undergraduate I developed a new awareness about myself and about life in general. One of the questions I would contemplate over for hours was, “How do I know what I know?” Do I know what I know based on what I have been told to think? Was it truly based on my own personal experiences? How much of me does truly drive what I know? In this digital age, journalism and media are so much a part of popular culture today and with television programming and new media pushing agenda’s and doing things to seek profit, more openly, it is hard to say with conviction that what I know about things are based on fact, and not beliefs, upside down perceptions, and delusions.

Last week I found myself in a situation that presented a great opportunity for me to take a step back and ask myself these very questions. A few of my friends have interests in details regarding, “conspiracy theories,” such as ones like the Illuminati and are concerned with news regarding the new world order, Illuminati symbolism (its use in pop culture and the music industry), and end of world prophecy. They insisted I watch some videos via YouTube that explained how the Illuminati is bringing to pass this one world order and how they are influencing popular culture. They also pointed out specific channels and videos that incorporated,  music video examples, breaking world new events, and biblical references. Pop stars like Lady Gaga, Beyoncé and Katie Perry, as well as, rappers like JayZ, Little Wayne, and Kanye West were the featured artists in most of these videos. The common symbolism, actions, personal, political, and financial connections that were being pointed out, coupled with current worldwide breaking news and noted historical happenings of the past, was shocking and began to overwhelm me emotionally .

        I began to find myself believing what I was seeing, hearing, and reading. My eyes have never been opened so wide. I was mortified! It seemed like everything pointed out made sense. Clearly it was researched, and there was objectivity to it and sources that were used behind the scenes were made known and noted. I did not know initially about all that was being explained to me, but I had heard things in the past about them before. I accepted the information as being  valid even though it was collectively one point of view.

       The starting point of me pursuing more information did begin with the sources and resources used for the videos and other details referred to in there vlogs. Published articles and news broadcastings were available in new media formats on Internet news/journalism sites like, Time magazine, CNN, and BBC. Additionally, I was able to locate transcripts of lectures, books written by people high up in the music industry, as well as. those who had first-hand dealings with being involved in the Illuminati agendas and groups.

       There is so much information and at the same time there is so much that is unknown about this topic. It is hard to say what is true and what is not. I do think that in some instances, social media sites are credible sources for obtaining valid information. I feel that there is naturally a difference in the way credible information is reported, as opposed to unsubstantiated, bias that has a high entertainment factor. Those reporting more truthfully and adhering to ethics tend to be more transparent with where they are pulling information from and are willing to disclose resources. Those that invest in truly reporting and sharing information via all media channels want to inform and educate people about events or reality in general. A true investment in empowering others with the facts, requires a commitment to ethics. I understand that the creators of these videos do want me to see their point of view, but I did not feel pushed or forced into thinking and feeling only what they thought. I was still able to draw my own conclusion and seek out materials to gain my own deeper understanding.

       In the end, before I get overly consumed by this topic, or anything I come across on social media sites, I have to remember the awareness I have about deciphering the kind of content I am reading, or listening to, and make sure that I am applying the ways of skeptical knowing to make sure the position, or view I end up choosing, is well founded.