The "NayKiD" Truth

I wasn't first, but I was pretty good, pre-social media. Investigative Journalism is just that - an Investigation by a Journalist - it's not coverage of spot news (which, sadly, the vast majority of local reporters make a woeful job of); it's not transcribing soundbites (like what is presented on TV news); it's not "he said/she said" (as which pertains on the airwaves); and it's definitely not "sources said" (a weekly tabloid print technique that has migrated quietly into the daily paper). Rather, one needs to understand the society and its pillars; accept the responsibilities of the Fourth Estate, embrace the unknown; and let the questions come from your *vast* understanding (rather than simply parroting a talk-show host's vague, idle, off-hand inquiry). It means that self-education and self-regulation are the pillars of this art, and that it a distinction that only comes with sweat - and not tertiary schooling. Ask yourself why

Information, data, news and lies now sleep together. It's probably most appropriate that I launch my new blog with a few short thoughts on the evolution of media. As an avid technology buff (albeit as a hobby) I believe in using the advancing techniques of information dispersal to our maximum benefit. However, the foundation blocks of the art must be strong in order to build... simple lessons like correct grammar and proper idiom, to sensibilities concerning libel and defamation must not be forgotten. In fact, they may be more applicable along the route of the information superhighway, as every bit is ultimately stored on a server somewhere, ready to be recalled if need be. It's been calculated that in 2010, human beings will generate 4 exabytes of new data... more than the combined total of all the earth's libraries, if they were digitized. So much of our world - and very lives - is being documented today (sometimes without permission) that it becomes even more