Tracking Facebook: The Job of a Real Journalist Is Stressful, Alarming
September 30, 2018
Want to know what the life of a “real” journalist is like? Navigate to “Exposing Cambridge Analytica: ‘It’s Been Exhausting, Exhilarating, and Slightly Terrifying.” Here in Harrod’s Creek we believe everything we read online, whether from Facebook, the GOOG, or the Guardian.
The write up is unusual because on one hand, the virtues of being curious and asking questions leads to “terrifying” experiences. On the other hand, the Guardian is just a tiny bit proud that it made the information available.
I learned:
Cadwalladr’s reporting led to the downfall of Cambridge Analytica and a public apology from Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg who was forced to testify before congress. Facebook has since lost $120 billion from its share price.
That’s nosing into Elon Musk Tweet territory.
I knew social media was a force, but these are big numbers. Perhaps newspaper advertising will reach these heights with “stressful, alarming” assignments for the “real” journalists?
I learned:
It’s got easier every time I’ve published – sunlight is the best disinfectant etc.
Interesting idea in a world which seems to be emulating the fiction of 1984.
I learned what lubricant allowed the “real” journalist to move forward:
I have to say that the support of readers was absolutely crucial and was one of the things that enabled me to carry on. Not just because it helped give me the confidence to keep going, but also because it helped give the organization confidence. It takes a huge amount of resources and resolve for a news organization to keep publishing in the face of the kind of threats we were facing, and the support of the readers for the story and what we were trying to do really did help give my editors confidence, I think. And I’m really grateful for that.
Does this mean that the “real” newspaper was the motive force?
If so, then “real” newspapers are positive forces in today’s world and not conduits for popular culture, sports, and informed opinion.
My thought was, “I wonder if the Babylonian clay tablet brigade voiced similar sentiments when writing on sheepskin became the rage.”
Probably not.
Rah rah for the “real” journalist. Rah rah for the newspaper.
Any rah rahs for Facebook? Nah. Bro culture. Security laughing stock. Sillycon Valley.
But Cambridge Analytica? Yeah, British with a lifeline from some interesting Americans.
Stephen E Arnold, September 30, 2018
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