The results of a survey published last month suggest that journalists believe fake news is creating new trust in traditional media around the world. According to the 2017 Ogilvy Media Influence survey, traditional media was found to be the most trusted news source globally by 52 percent of journalists surveyed across North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. The reporters and producers reflected on the role of social media, company websites and other factors in the importance of … [Read more...] about Should you place your trust in the mainstream media?
Archives for November 2017
A closer look at Creative Commons licenses
One of the great things about social media and social networks is the ability they offer to anyone to share a thought, an idea, or an expression, with anyone else who has a connection to the global internet. Take the photo above, for instance. It's of the Trevi Fountain in Rome on a beautiful sunny late autumn day and I took the photo on a visit there in 2016. I've not widely shared it before now although it's been in my Flickr stream since then, and now it's embedded in this post. What if … [Read more...] about A closer look at Creative Commons licenses
A minimalist look to blogging
Today, this blog gets a design refresh with a new theme that presents a minimalist look to the world. This is version 10.0 of a website running on WordPress that I first started in early 2006 following four years variously on Blogger, Movable Type and TypePad. All these services were stalwarts in the early days of blogs and blogging. I don't want to make a huge deal out of what essentially is the installation of a new WordPress theme. It's a bit like a new wardrobe when you buy a new … [Read more...] about A minimalist look to blogging
For Immediate Release 113: Not a 280-Character Episode
Shel and I recorded the November edition of the monthly Hobson & Holtz Report podcast. We had a great chinwag on these topics: A follow-up to our KFC story (about 11 herbs and spices); the social media team struck again. Twitter has made its new expanded 280 character count available to almost everyone. Not everyone is happy about it. Uber’s new CEO took an investigator’s advice and scrapped the company’s old values statements. Instead of simply crafting a new one, he crowdsourced … [Read more...] about For Immediate Release 113: Not a 280-Character Episode
Twitter offers richer scope with 280 characters
Since Twitter first appeared in 2006, the notion of sharing your thoughts and those of others in a concise 140-character message you can create and share from myriad devices has become an enduring aspect of the social web. Today for many, it's an essential communication tool that enables direct and unfiltered connection between individuals that results in engagement and even relationships. For others, it's seen as a marketing channel that pays only lip service to authenticity. And for others … [Read more...] about Twitter offers richer scope with 280 characters
SDF Podcast 13: 1984 meets Pavlov’s dogs
"Trust, but verify" is a phrase that was used often by Ronald Reagan. It is more than a little ironic that this is originally a Russian proverb (Doveryai, no proveryai). Trust is also what links the various topics in episode 13 of our podcast (with show notes written by Thomas Stoeckle). From Chinese citizen scores to alleged irregularities in the UK referendum and the US presidential election, the implications of GDPR and the prospects of blockchain: trust is the glue that should hold … [Read more...] about SDF Podcast 13: 1984 meets Pavlov’s dogs
Artificial intelligence risks GM-style public backlash, experts warn
Researchers say social, ethical and political concerns in the UK about artificial intelligence (AI) are mounting and greater oversight is urgently needed, according to the Guardian. Otherwise, we could expect to see the kind of social disruption that greeted the advent of genetically-modified (GM) foods during the past decades. The Guardian's report notes that there are no testing standards or requirement for AI to explain their decisions. There is also no organisation equipped to monitor and … [Read more...] about Artificial intelligence risks GM-style public backlash, experts warn