The Internet & public response
03:21, 25 April 2008
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"It used to be that we put things in our newspaper, and we really controlled them. And we don't have that control anymore."For better or worse, the Internet has forever changed the way the public communicates not only with each other, but with the government and the press. Sometimes, however, we need to be reminded of just how different the public communications landscape is now:
-- Howard Altschiller, executive editor of the Portsmouth Herald.
A state representative in Maine sponsored a bill that would make it possible to bring charges against sexual voyeurs who target children in public places. Under existing law, such conduct must occur in a private place to be illegal -- therefore, a peeping tom in a public bathroom could not be charged (a situation which happened recently). But a newspaper article in early April gave some the impression that they would be violating the law if they merely looked at a child walking down a sidewalk. The article began, "Those who peer at children in public could find themselves on the wrong side of the law in Maine soon." The article did not fully explain the bill's provisions. Someone who felt the law went too far posted a link to the article on the very popular and powerful news blog, Fark.com. And then the angry online firestorm began. The newspaper is now trying to answer the online criticisms and explain the law more clearly.
I have been tracking how rumors and myth can interfere with community development activities and aid/relief efforts. This situation per the Maine law is a perfect example of both how quickly misinformation can spread as well as the importance of addressing it in a timely manner, and working with the press in addressing such.
