There’s nothing wrong with wanting to stay abreast of what’s going on in your community and around the world, but at what point does the insatiable need for “the scoop” start to override basic human judgment and decency? Sadly, I think we’re coming dangerously close to that line; if we haven’t stepped over it already.
Journalistic integrity didn’t even cross the mind of a photographer last month when he snapped a picture of a man who had been pushed onto a subway track in the path of an oncoming train. As the train bore down on the husband and father, the photographer made no effort to save the man; instead snapping pictures that he eventually sold to the New York Post. One of the photos made the front page of the publication with a headline shouting about the man’s impending demise.
“But that’s New York”, some might say. “That’d never happen here”, most would implore. Normally I would agree, but there’s a very disconcerting trend that has taken hold of our area with its roots in the age of social media – more specifically Facebook. Folks armed with cell phones, digital cameras, and police scanners have dubbed themselves citizen journalists, of sorts, and have made it their mission to share every single bit of “news” that happens in our area.
It’s become newsworthy when Mrs. MacDonald from down the way takes a spill getting out of the bathtub. Minutes after the ambulance leaves the dear lady’s home, you can bet there will be pictures online with two dozen comments speculating “what really happened”. Your Uncle Joe double parked outside the coffee shop? Within the hour, his license plate number is known from here to Kouchibouguac. If a crime or incident of great public interest occurs, a kangaroo court is instantly established in these groups with waves of information being discussed, regardless of their validity.
As much in poor taste and downright silliness as these examples may be; the real damage comes when basic human empathy and compassion are being ignored. There have been times when folks found out about an accident (occasionally fatal) that a loved one had been involved in by seeing a photo that someone snapped at the scene. People, so eager to be the first with “the skinny”, completely dismiss any sense of accountability for their actions when a retraction or apology to the affected parties isn’t necessary. A swift click of the “delete post” option and it’s like it never happened.
These groups do provide a valuable service to drunk and dangerous drivers, in case you were looking for a tangible contribution. If one wishes to go out for a drive after one too many wobbly pops, all one need do is log into Facebook and you’ll instantly find out where all the police checkpoints or roadblocks are set up. Should it be comforting to us safe and sober drivers to know that the people we share the road with have a leg up on the law if they wish to drive recklessly? Forgive me if I don’t see it that way.
It’s like this, gentle readers; journalists don’t just wake up one morning and decide that they’re a reporter. It takes years of study and honing their craft to earn the right to be called a newsperson. They are bound to a strict code of ethics and do their jobs with impartiality, accountability, and with strict analysis and consideration of all facts before bringing their story to the public at large. There are guidelines and rules in place to make sure news is being reported fairly, humanely, and accurately. When these parameters are ignored, nothing positive is going to happen.
Over sixty years ago, George Orwell wrote the classic novel 1984. It told of a dystopian future where constant government surveillance is a part of life under Big Brother‘s watchful eye. I wonder if Orwell ever envisioned that Big Brother would be alive and well in 2013; but instead of being governmentally driven it’s 100% powered by the folks you share a community with. Instead of capturing people at their worst and weakest, interfering with the operation of law enforcement and bringing coffee shop gossip to the worldwide web, wouldn’t this time and effort be better spent elsewhere?
I’m no journalist, folks. I’m just some a guy with a lot to say who has been generously given a place to say it. This column does not make me Andy Rooney. A camera, police scanner and Facebook login don’t make anyone Tom Brokaw, either. They do have the ability to make folks a Tom of an entirely different variety - a peeping one.
I’m glad we don’t have a subway system. I’d hate to find out how many locals would extend a zoom lens instead of extending a hand to help.
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