Presentation by Jeff Schimmel (with notes)



Chapter 9
Jeff schimmel

Notes by michael nahill

Cut and paste, right and wrong:
-we can copy and send articles
-this can change the meaning of text

New ways to mislead:
-it is very easy to manipulate public opinion
-there are electronic ways to alter images
-is it ethical to alter images?
-where do you draw the line?
-Jason Blair: writer for the new york times caught fabricating stories
-It is scary to think that the readers trusted him
-If we are getting used to this kind of trickery
do you think were in trouble?

Who's talking and why?
-to dismiss all online information is very foolish
-the failure to do ones homework before making a decision is even more foolish
-mark jakob: put insider trading information on an investment forum
and was prosecuted for selling short on the companies stock
-Matt drudge: started a rumor about a politicians affair

-do you think you should be able to leave anonymous comments?
-are anonymous comments less valid?
-it is very difficult to be truly anonymous on the web (ip address)

Trolls and other annoyances:
-trolls create inappropriate postings especially on the comment
features on websites
-the trolls steal time and space
-how do you deal with the trolls?
-is it ethical to block them or ban them from posting?

Spin patrol:
-Spin=putting something (an event, etc.) into the perspective that
favors your cause
-"google bombing": a method of connecting a word to a specific website
through a search engine (search miserable failure and George bushes
website comes up)
-how does a site like google deal with this? Do they lose authority if
they do not patrol this "bombing."?

Citizen reporters to the rescue:
-with so many citizen perspectives, the truth is always revealed
-the "Casey nicole" story: the citizens came together to reveal that
the blog was a hoax.
-there are many hoaxes on the web
-the people play a major part in uncovering them

A flight to quality?
-as big media participates in the new online news they take risks that
can effect their credibility
-when you go to a news website you are assuming that what is posted is true
-if people hack into those websites that is a problem

Old common sense:
-learn which blogs to trust and which not to trust