In a changing world and society, it is getting even harder and harder for journalists to uncover the truth. Gone are the days, in which politicians met in open forums and held town hall meetings, and here are the days of email, twitter text-messaging and Blackberries.
For journalists, this poses a problem.
Before, writers and reporters could go to a meeting to witness how government and legislature were coming together, but now they have to do some digging and prying.
Public records have always been an intricate part of the way that reporters bring the truth to the public. Today, they continue to be a main source for many articles, reports and stories. The vast majority of information that one can find in public records includes, but is not limited to: housing records, work records, criminal backgrounds, business details, etc.
From public records, one, in essence, can track someone else’s life through a stack of papers at 15 cents per copy. Just go downtown, and put in some requests, and you can know anything you would ever need to know about a person. That is, until now.
As it is with many aspects of life, new technology is causing problems for journalists looking to public records for their answers. Over the years, new ways of communication have been developed which has made it easier for people to remain private, as well as harder to keep track of.
Phone calls, emails, text-messages, instant-messaging and use of PDAs and cell phones like Blackberries and iPhones have made it much harder to keep track of what is going on.
This new technology is making it easier for politicians to negotiate and discuss policies that used to be discussed in an open forum for the public and journalists to hear.
The ever-changing technology will continue to cause struggles for journalists, and like everyone else, we will have to learn how to adapt.
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I think it's interesting how politicians are keeping up with technology and using it to their advantage. You're right about the fact that it's causing journalists some problems with obtaining information. Really well done.
ReplyDeleteWell said. New technology has a double arrow. It can be very helpful to some people, but at the same time it can be a burden to many journalists. The world is advancing over all. We have to adopt and find new ways to resolve the issues that come across in our jobs as reporters.
ReplyDeleteAs with anything else, technology has a huge impact in this world and it is always changing. Public records is one of the items affected by technology. Journalists will have to learn how to adapt to the absence of records and develop creative ways of getting in contact with the information they need. It's unfortunate that our own government will not allow us "in" to hear what they really have to say, but when there is truth to be told a journalist will prevail.
ReplyDeleteIt's true, journalists now have a lot of humps to get over before they can get the facts to a story, and politicians (along with many others I'm sure) seem to like it that way. I like how you introduced your blog with the contrast of how things use to be to how they are now. It makes you realize how different things really are. There's A little more work thrown in for journalists with the technology loops, but they normally always find some way to find what they need.
ReplyDeleteGreat job covering both the pros and cons technology has forced journalism to accepts. I also liked the point you made about using public records to track one's life through a stack of papers. Good job!
ReplyDeleteWhile its true technology has made it easier to communicate in ways once never thought possible, it has also caused problems many didn't expect. Everyday is a challenge for reporters to keep up with what elected officials are doing and as technology continues to advance it will only get tougher. But as long as elected officials continue to make shady deals, it is the responsibility of not only journalists but we as the public to continue to monitor them and make sure elected officials are in office to serve the people.
ReplyDeleteI disagree with your idea that technology has made it harder for reporters to investigate. I think the use of blackberry's & i-phones has made internet technology more readily available. The speed in which people hear about breaking news is happening faster and diminishing topics at the same rate. If anything I believe these technologies make sneaky politicians have to work harder to keep their dirty business hidden and away from the savvy reporters and citizens that check through public records regularly.
ReplyDeleteWell said post...I like how you stay on topic throughout and explain how technology is, in some ways, more troublesome than beneficial to journalists. Whenever journalists find a way to exploit people who want their questionable information hidden from the public, politicians and others always seem to find a loop-hole.
ReplyDeleteThe blog is very direct and forthcoming. Technology has made a huge impact on what journalists can and can't do. The fact of the matter is that people are using technology to their advantage and journalists need to more on top of things to get the scoop.
ReplyDeleteVery well written and easy to read. I appreciate the fact that you spaced out the paragraphs. Makes it much easier on the eyes. I also like how you presented both sides and gave the pros and cons of new budding technology.
ReplyDeleteBlog entry was well written and in an order that lead one thing to another, very well connected. Great job on identifying particulars, such as PDA and Blackberry messenging, that have an impact on the government discusses work. Overall, it was just a good, easy read.
ReplyDeleteI like how you concentrated on the technology aspect of Nickens presentation. This was really an eye opener into the world of politics and private records.
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