Back from Hybernation

As I said in my first post (Take #6). The biggest problem I have is keeping up the momentum. The majority of blogs out there, like mine, seeem to fade into a the static background noise of the internet. The challenge is to be fresh, to attract an audience, and to have an opinion that others would be interested in. You got to have something to offer.

I took a course this last semester in University called 'Philosophy of Media Ethics'. Specifically, one of the course readings really inspired me. The Ethical Philosopher Andrew Belsey (full citation at the end) wrote about how journalist rights and freedoms/the freedom of speech guaranteed in the Bill of Rights allows for a more ethical and effective journalistic environment. He compares the media industry of the U.S. to that of the U.K. to support his claim. His claim being that the U.K. impedes journalistic efforts through countless journalistic hurdles that distract them from their duties as journalists by keeping them constantly having to look over their shoulders to see who's coming after them.

Choosing to write an essay critiquing his claim, I argued that government interference or the lack their of doesn't and shouldn't be used as an excuse for issues of ethical journalism. The internet is a prime example, no regulation and no one stopping you from sharing your opinion. The result: a few well developed websites and blogs vs. thousands of websites and blogs full of crap. And yes I say crap, because thats what it is. The internet is full of useless junk and crap.

My personal challenge and my challenge to every blogger, poster, commentor, reader, and just internet nut:

The world's changing, and the internet is the best friend of anyone who has an opinion and has the guts to share it. Our opinions matter, our thoughts need to be shared, and open dialogue is the best way we can find solutions and attain the support to make a difference. But if we are going to share an opinion we should do it right. Do your research, know what you are talking about, use those skills you learned in school about writing an argumentative essay. Develop your posts based on research, objectivity, and know your facts. Even if it means writing less often, thats better then making your readers read through biased, factually inaccurate junk.

A lot has happened since I last posted: Barack Obama in the White House, Pakistan over run by the taliban, the economic recession in the U.S., Dubai, and the rest of the world, and of course Swine Flu just to name a few. Expect many new posts in the next few weeks.

/t

Citation: Belsey, Andrew 'Ethics, Law, and the Quality of the Media' in Introducing Applied Ethics Brenda Almond ed. Blackwell, Cambridge 1995. 89-103.