Comments on: Old freedom finds young supporters

By: Natalie Freeman

Natalie Freeman — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 19:18:31 +0000

I think that social media has had a tremendous effect on the First Amendment. In my opinion, it is an amazing ool to have. I think that people should be able to speak their minds about their elites and passions. That doesn’t mean that everything they say is laid and meaningful, but I don’t see why they shouldn’t be able to express themselves. If people are allowed to speak freely where others can see and hear it, then I think it should be the public’s responsibility to be aware of what is out there. You should know what’s out there in order to protect yourself and in order to understand things better.

By: Danika Norman

Danika Norman — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 00:39:03 +0000

I believe that the social media has pros and cons. At times it is so great that it reaches so many people and can be impactful. On the other hand, if people are receiving information from the media but are otherwise ill informed, it can be bad. I believe in the freedom of speech and of the press. However, I also believe that it should be fair. If one news outlet can be biased, then it should be fine for another to be opinionated also. The main thing is that the people are well informed on their own, and not too heavily swayed by the media.

By: Jennifer Flores

Jennifer Flores — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 20:24:23 +0000

The way we find out what is going on around us has changed. Now instead of tunning to the news channel we tend to go on Facebook to see what is happening. This can be good in what way because we are able to know what is going on quicker than watching the news for a full hour. At the same time this can be bad because sometimes the news that are shared on the media are not true. I remeber last week people started posting that a rapper died. Int he end it was just a scam he never died. In my opinion we must watch the news ot search for the real news online instead of believing the news that are post by others.

By: Alia Noel

Alia Noel — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 01:56:19 +0000

The effect of news being housed on social media sites is both positive and negative. On a positive note, we now have another place to get our news, instead of only through television, radio, and newspaper. It also gets young people into the habit of keeping apprised of pertinent news by putting the news in a place they frequent often – social media.

On a negative side, there can be some news outlets that are fraudulent or biased and thus their “news” is compromised. Since we are in the age of the internet, nearly anyone can purchase a web address and call their content news. This can lead to false information being reported and a detriment to true journalism.

By: Amy Andrus

Amy Andrus — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 03:27:30 +0000

It is interesting that so many students and Americans have a distinct dependency on social media for news. It has become the “informant” for current events and opinions for those that do not necessarily seek the news. The right of the First Amendment that social media stands for is a true representation of our evolution as a country and culture; our access to the media represents our freedom abroad and is truly important to the foundation of our country.
While our First Amendment rights are crucial to our amazing country, we can only hope that those who utilize social media hold enough media literacy to interpret ideas and opinions in a filtered manner. There is a case for the blank check theory, realizing that power, even media power, can bought sometimes even by those with alterior motives (intentional or unintentional). Freedom of the Press is part of who we are and who we are to become, but logical and educated interpretations are up to us to control and sustain.

By: Jara R

Jara R — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 13:12:29 +0000

The government and the media in the since of giving information out, mesh very well. A lot of people get their information from TV and the newspaper. However, people my age are connected through information and news through social media. I can believe that 75% of all students get their news from social media.

I do think that social media is a good the for the First Amendment. Social Media allows for people to exercise their right for the first amendment. Social Media allows for us to express ourselves. However, I think some people take it too far. Just because you can say something, doesn’t mean that you should say it.

The fact that we get our information about the government and we are able to exercise our rights issued by the government, shows that the media and the government do mesh.

By: Amanda Mikulski

Amanda Mikulski — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 01:53:46 +0000

Amanda Mikulski
Journ 601
Dr. Jim Willis
Blog Post 4
October 5, 2011
My Response to:
Old freedom finds young supporters
I do agree with Casey that it is not really fair for there not to be monitoring of the anonymous writers on the internet, yet the FCC can pull the plug on some programming on the radio. If the first amendment were really being upheld, everyone would be able to voice their opinions. As for those who start a blog and have no professional experience or organization backing, they are not really the press, so they should be able to post their opinions. But, when the writer is representing an organization and writing a professional piece, I think there needs to be some sort of monitoring.

I do believe that social media has led to people, especially younger people, wanting free press to be upheld. I do not want to read a blog that is withholding or twisting the truth in order to help the company they work for. I like to go online to find things quickly, and this often takes no work other than a scroll down on my mouse when checking status updates on facebook. Our local radio station posts information on news a few times a day actually. Because so much information, with different story angle and spins on the same information is out there, today’s mass media allows people to really take a look at different opinions and facts to make up their mind on how they feel about things.

By: Casey C. Smith

Casey C. Smith — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 01:53:49 +0000

The greatest negative impact of online social media is the anonymity with which it is able to conceal. I believe I would classify myself in the 24% who still feel the 1st Amendment is too much of a blank check.

My feeling is that if you are going to continue to sponsor FCC regulations on television and radio there must be at least some form of monitoring device in place for people spouting off on a broad range of topics. If an individual is brazen enough to critique another they should have no problem identifying their identity.

By: Courtney Nelson

Courtney Nelson — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 02:04:02 +0000

I think that social networking does help to make sure that the first amendment is being upheld. However, there are some times when that comes into compromise. When people use social network to bring down other people and to be completely negative, it is hard to support that fact that peole should not be censored online.