[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”http://tricityvoice.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/TCV-Search.png” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” align_tablet=”center” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.9.6″ animation_style=”fade” box_shadow_style=”preset3″ vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″]
[/et_pb_image][et_pb_divider divider_weight=”4″ _builder_version=”3.14″ height=”0px”]
[/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.2″ z_index_tablet=”500″ hover_enabled=”0″ text_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”text_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ text_text_shadow_vertical_length=”text_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ text_text_shadow_blur_strength=”text_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ link_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ link_text_shadow_vertical_length=”link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ link_text_shadow_blur_strength=”link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ ul_text_shadow_vertical_length=”ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ ul_text_shadow_blur_strength=”ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ ol_text_shadow_vertical_length=”ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ ol_text_shadow_blur_strength=”ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ quote_text_shadow_vertical_length=”quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ quote_text_shadow_blur_strength=”quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”header_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_text_shadow_vertical_length=”header_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_text_shadow_blur_strength=”header_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”header_2_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length=”header_2_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength=”header_2_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”header_3_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length=”header_3_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength=”header_3_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”header_4_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length=”header_4_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength=”header_4_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”header_5_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length=”header_5_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength=”header_5_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”header_6_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length=”header_6_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength=”header_6_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ background_pattern_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.2)” background_mask_color=”#ffffff”]
In many small communities there is a form of communication that can spread news at breathtaking speeds. Accomplished on a person-to-person basis over backyard fences, through whispered sentences or passed electronically, this informal news network, often of unconfirmed information, can exert powerful influence over recipients. Called “gossip” in the past, it has taken on a new, increasingly powerful role as its speed and availability have increased through social media of the internet.
Unfortunately, control of such information has always been difficult. Not only are sources often unchecked, but as a “fact” is cycled and recycled, it may be altered – knowingly or unknowingly – to the point of little recognition with the original thought expressed. There are some who begin investigations with a preferred conclusion and design the elements of their argument to fit. Others simply fabricate a scenario to create a desired result.
In the media business, this is nothing new. There is a tendency to follow the same patterns. Serious journalism requires an effort to use trusted sources that can be verified. However, this is a relatively slow process and relies on quality rather than speed. In comparison with gossip, it is no contest. As news reporting progressed from town criers to the printed page, enticing readers has always been an essential element for success. Technical journals and niche publications may have a well-defined and devoted readership, but the general public presents a different challenge. The technique of “yellow journalism”, used by William Randolph Hearst in his publications relied on huge, sensational headlines to attract readers. So-called “tabloids” went a step farther and manufactured implausible articles, filled with inuendo, to woo an audience. Even within the mainstream media, the theme of “if it bleeds, it leads” recognized the value of spectacular, often gruesome photos and reports, to attract readers.
It isn’t easy to deflect the emotional tug of lurid information. It can be entertaining and an innocuous distraction from everyday life. However, when gossip replaces hard facts, creating an alternative reality that interferes with primary functions of personal or social identity and responsibility, it takes a different and insidious role. It robs people of their freedom of self-control and intrudes on the freedom of others. It becomes antithetical to freedom, exerting pressure for total conformity.
Recognizing gossip and separating it from newsworthy information is a critical skill that will preserve and protect our society. Although far from perfect, our way of life, providing control by its citizens, is preferable to autocratic rule. Dystopian scenarios are possible but can be reversed by examination and correction of bad behavior. This can only be accomplished through reasonable expectations, constant vigilance, education and discussion of ideas and policies – safeguards to contain and correct errant behavior.
“Don’t you see that the whole aim of Newspeak is to narrow the range of thought? In the end we shall make thoughtcrime literally impossible, because there will be no words in which to express it.”
― George Orwell, 1984
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]
