Parry Aftez, an attourney and expert on internet privacy, says internet privacy has definitely evolved. "In the early days, we were more worried about information that we had taken from us without our knowledge — the spyware, adware, hacking. Now the biggest concern, I think, is information we share willingly – although unwittingly – with others that allows them to know a lot more about us than they have any business knowing."
In an interview with Christina Hernandez, the two discuss whether these social networking sites are the end of privacy. People often post personal information, often times too personal, and they do not have full control over who sees this personal information.
Intelligent Journalist, Katrine Sorensen, wrote, "As journalists it is important to remember that you are a professional who represents the company at all times - they own your name so to speak. It is problematic if a journalist publishes material on Facebook or Twitter that shows lack of judgement."
As a journalist, you are being constantly scrutinized, you are responsible for maintaining a reputation. You cannot have drunken pictures and videos surfacing, you cannot post derogatory remarks online, without reprocussions. Yes, it seems that Hunter S. Thompson would have had a difficult time establishing credibility in the current state of journalism.
This being said, don't be afraid to have a personality. People like interesting people. It is important to remember that you are being watched, but to be yourself. Aftez said, "We have all these different sides to us and we hide everything else. But you can no longer hide that. All of the parts of our lives are going to collide. Good or bad, everyone will know everything we are. If you are a cross dresser at night and a corporate lawyer during the day and a deacon at your church on Sundays, all of that’s going to come together. If we play this out, we will be more authentically who we are."
Think twice before you post a picture, or a comment, but don't forget to be yourself.
Image from RSCarbonneau.
Excellent use of quotes Jayme. I think you chose some very thought provoking ones to highlight here. I especially like the example of being a cross dresser, lawyer, and deacon. That paints a most unusual picture.
ReplyDeleteI think that being yourself is an important point to make. The harder we try to fit a mold, the more uncomfortable we will be with whom we've become.
I all to well know the sting of an emberassing photo being posted online... it is something you never quite recover from. Also, I too like interesting people, in fact, some of my best friends are interesting people. Well done!
ReplyDeleteWhat I find the most interesting part is that we're supposed to hide parts of who we are in order to be journalists. It's almost like, we're supposed to be journalists 24/7. How many other professions have this obligation? I am not asking sarcastically, I really wonder how many other professions have that obligation. If I post drunk pictures of myself on facebook or say something outlandish on twitter, why does that change who I am when I'm supposed to be objective in reporting.
ReplyDeleteYou touched on a couple of really good points here Jayme. I think it's important to keep your nose out of trouble and to just avoid sticky situations like some of the ones you suggested (drunken videos, derogatory comments). Also you mentioned that it's important that you don't lose your personality as well, and I totally agree. As you said, people enjoy interesting people, so your personality is one of your most valuable assets in the world of journalism.
ReplyDeleteI'm not entirely sure if this must be the case. Perhaps the openness of internet-based journalism can bring about not fewer, but more Thompsons. After all, there are very few magazines today that would publish Hunter S., as Rolling Stone spends most of its resources kissing musicians' asses, but perhaps he could find a spot on the Internet! Or perhaps that's just wishful thinking. One site, vbs.tv, gives me some hope. Its reports have a sort of New Journalism feel to them.
ReplyDeleteI think that it is important to be yourself at all times, and I would like to think that as journalists we are judged on our writing, and not on our facebook pages. It is understandable that by doing the public service of journalism, we are sending ourselves out into the public to represent some media outlet, but personally, I feel like my facebook page is a commentary on my home life, my home opinions, and not my work life or opinions. Just up the security on your facebook page and post away friends, because i'm pretty sure getting canned for writing something stupid on facebook would be considered some sort of discrimination or breach of privacy.
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