CNN vs. iReport

There are several differences between the CNN.com news site and its amateur counterpart, iReport. CNN is divided into geographic regions and topics. It is updated regularly and its stories are rotated. CNN is dominated by politically charged material and other hard-hitting subjects. iReport on the other hand, contains material that may not normally be considered newsworthy by mainstream news sources. An example is the weekly report on the goings on in the "Second Life" world. iReport provides more of a social commentary, since amateur writers are submitting materials on more everyday life issues. It is as if CNN is trying to satisfy both the pursuers of serious, professional news and those in search of more relatable and down to earth information.

Jess McClanahan & Marion Herbert

A Truth Unveiled

It was difficult to find material online that pertained to a truth being revealed. The only thing that came to mind at first was the never ending flow of news on TV or online, constantly exposing something horrifying about anything from the food you're eating to the War in Iraq. However, another form truth that is always being unveiled is that of the ever-emerging new technologies. I thought about how the masses are always clambering to know when and where they can get the next best thing, and with the speed and spread of the internet, this information is revealed almost as immediately as it is known. This is what I chose to investigate, and here is what I found:

In an article at news.cnet.com created just this morning (September 23, 2008), it is said that T-Mobile and Google have joined forces to create the first ever Google powered handset, run with their Android operating system. It has touch screen capabilities and access to all of Google's web applications like GoogleMaps and YouTube. Of course it has a built in camera and MP3 player. Its mapping feature allows you to navigate your way anywhere. The features for this new contraption seem endless!

The articles reveals all the necessary information. It tells us that the handset will cost $179 and will be available October 22nd of this year. It occurs to me that these are the "truths" being exposed all the time. These are the things it seems people are looking for. We are always dying to know how to get the newest technology, and finding the truth seems only a click away.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10048655-1.html

Bush Administration Propaganda

While searching for misleading or untrue information on the internet, I came across a seemingly low budget page in which claims are made that there are 50 false news stories created by the Bush administration. In the article, it is said that Colonel Sam Gardiner has identified these stories which were leaked by former Ambassador, Joe Wilson. These claims involve the manufacturing of nuclear weapons, terrorism, and cyber warfare. I was very struck by this page because after learning about the negative effects of Web 2.0, I realized this site could be full of untrue information. After taking a further look at the website, it does not seem like a very credible source at all. It was not a trusted news site such as MSNBC.com or CNN.com. It is disorganized and covered with advertisements for things like psychic readings and magnetic pills. It would definitely be considered an "amateur" work by Andrew Keen. With its frightening content on very serious, the page could cause great fear and confusion for an unsuspecting reader. Also, it could be considered very slanderous to the people involved. I was reminded of how important it is to do background research on anything suspicious you might find on the internet. Inexperienced web users are certainly susceptible to misleading or untrue information in this Web 2.0 world we live in.

http://www.rense.com/general44/50.htm