Is the internet the problem?
Authors . Controversy . Media . SocietyWhen I learned about the Press Freedom Index, I was interested and surprised that their was such a useful and interesting website full of information, that as a Communication major, I had no idea about. So from there I began to explore this resource that was so new to me to try to understand its use better. I had begun to learn about countries that I did not know existed, which were typically ranked among the worst on the index. I was also surprised to see that Norway ranked as the safest place for journalists, then to learn that the country had great laws protecting the journalist. I think I was so surprised because of the lack of knowledge I have about their laws and government in general.
I had always considered the United States a pioneer for freedom of speech and journalists, because this is what we are taught in school. I had always assumed that the journalists in the United States would be safer than those in countries under other types of governments. However, the political unrest and the new cancel culture of the media has made me rethink this idea of freedom of speech. So, I was more disappointed than surprised when I saw that the United States is ranked number 42 out of 180 countries with the freedom journalists are given. While searching the index fro the United States, the Press Freedom Index wrote an alarming, but true statement. “In the United States, once considered a model for press freedom and free speech, press freedom violations are increasing at a troubling rate.” (Reporters without Borders). Growing up in the United States, from an early age we are taught about the United States Constitution and its amendments. Now, the first ammendment protects our freedom of speech. It reads:
However, it now becomes painfully visible that the United States no longer fully abides by its First Amendment. The use of social media and the internet has changed this idea of total freedom of speech.
In todays world, everyone with a mobile device and internet has access to virtually any information they want all of the time. So now, journalists have the pressure more than ever to abide by their code of conduct and keep their sources and themselves protected. UNESCO states that the World Press Freedom is a “Qualitative analysis…combined with quantitative data on abuses and acts on violence against journalists in the period evaluated”. However, I can not help but wonder how many journalists are verbally abused and threatened to not write a story, to divulge sources, or any other numerous number of acts that are unjust, but not physical, so they are not included in the World Press Freedom Index. So, I did the research. According to Syracuse University, 6 out of 10 journalist (61%) reported that they have received a threat of some sort while working as a journalist. These threats included verbal abuse, insults, intimidation, and physical abuse. What I find interesting about these statistics from Syracuse University is that every type of threat, besides physical abuse, occurred more online than offline. I think that this goes to show that not all technology innovations are good for journalism. Yes, consumers can get their information faster and easier, but at what cost to the journalists risking their lives to write their pieces, just to be threatened on the internet?