On March 28, 2009, French composer, Maurice Jarre died. Almost immediately, thanks in part to the internet, his obituary began popping up on news sites across the country.
Dead at 84, I’m certain Jarre led a full life of musical pursuits; his most notable achievement, the film score for Lawrence of Arabia in 1962. He was a celebrated music man which is why, I gather, that his death is newsworthy. Honestly, I had never heard of the man, or any of his achievements, but nevertheless, a celebrity dies and people snap to attention offering memories, kind words, and compassion. (By the way…I took this information from Wikipedia.)
As with any good obituary, especially one for a celebrity, a personal quote from the deceased is essential to tie the life to the legacy. It also makes for good reading. The quote pulled for Jarre was as poetic as it was philosophical. It read:
“One could say my life itself has been one long soundtrack. Music was my life, music brought me to life, and music is how I will be remembered long after I leave this life. When I die there will be a final waltz playing in my head that only I can hear."
How profound. Unfortunately for the media, however, Jarre’s quote was fabricated by a 22 year old Dublin university sociology student on the day of Jarre’s death, posted on Wikipedia, and bought hook line and sinker from dozens of news organizations around the world. All this to test the dependency the globalized media has on the internet in their supply of factual news.
Copy + Paste = Fact…I surmise is how this headline should read. Kind of scary if you ask me but certainly not unique in the world of news reporting during the digital age.
http://cbs11tv.com/technology/Wikipedia.Fake.Quote.2.1006804.html
I guess I just require more from the news than “copy and paste” reporting regardless of the subject matter. I expect nonbiased, fact checked, objective points of view when consuming my daily dose of tragic happenings across the globe. If I want it editorialized, I will look for the closest editorial page or editorialize it myself. Is that too much too ask?
In spite of the trickery employed in the aforementioned obituary, the brilliance on the part of the sociology student, or the lackadaisical laziness on the part of the writers, the media, as a whole, is responsible for the maintenance of objectivity while systemically fact checking their stories. Or should Wikipedia wear the hat of responsibility when if comes to reporting the news…hmmmm…now that’s an interesting thought!.
Dead at 84, I’m certain Jarre led a full life of musical pursuits; his most notable achievement, the film score for Lawrence of Arabia in 1962. He was a celebrated music man which is why, I gather, that his death is newsworthy. Honestly, I had never heard of the man, or any of his achievements, but nevertheless, a celebrity dies and people snap to attention offering memories, kind words, and compassion. (By the way…I took this information from Wikipedia.)
As with any good obituary, especially one for a celebrity, a personal quote from the deceased is essential to tie the life to the legacy. It also makes for good reading. The quote pulled for Jarre was as poetic as it was philosophical. It read:
“One could say my life itself has been one long soundtrack. Music was my life, music brought me to life, and music is how I will be remembered long after I leave this life. When I die there will be a final waltz playing in my head that only I can hear."
How profound. Unfortunately for the media, however, Jarre’s quote was fabricated by a 22 year old Dublin university sociology student on the day of Jarre’s death, posted on Wikipedia, and bought hook line and sinker from dozens of news organizations around the world. All this to test the dependency the globalized media has on the internet in their supply of factual news.
Copy + Paste = Fact…I surmise is how this headline should read. Kind of scary if you ask me but certainly not unique in the world of news reporting during the digital age.
http://cbs11tv.com/technology/Wikipedia.Fake.Quote.2.1006804.html
I guess I just require more from the news than “copy and paste” reporting regardless of the subject matter. I expect nonbiased, fact checked, objective points of view when consuming my daily dose of tragic happenings across the globe. If I want it editorialized, I will look for the closest editorial page or editorialize it myself. Is that too much too ask?
In spite of the trickery employed in the aforementioned obituary, the brilliance on the part of the sociology student, or the lackadaisical laziness on the part of the writers, the media, as a whole, is responsible for the maintenance of objectivity while systemically fact checking their stories. Or should Wikipedia wear the hat of responsibility when if comes to reporting the news…hmmmm…now that’s an interesting thought!.
4 comments:
So it’s not the point of your story (in the immediate case your blog)….but it did get me thinking….on the lines of musicians and legacies.
I once heard my favorite musician entertain the idea of his how his eulogy would read and what his legacy would say? There’s a thought for writing…what are our accomplishments?, what should they be?, who or what do they mean to someone or about something?, and what should really be the motives of our acts of daily living? Honestly have you really ever thought about your last acclamation?
Yes, still reading.
I am glad you are as very few comment. Assuming you are referring to who should bare the burden of reporting the news, factually correct and bias-free, I would answer the main strem media, not some web-based, user driven, free contribution dictionary. I would hope we could agree in this regard. Additionally, I would hope news reporters would verify all facts prior to a simple copy and paste approach many use today...selfishly, it's fine for bloggers who write solely for entertainment value...or those like me who do it for the sheer hobby value. When you're responsible for reporting news, it should not be bent on shaping opinion, creating facts, or misrepresenting current events whether you utilize Wikipedia or any other resource tool.
If you are referring to another acclamation, then please elaborate.
I want you to know that I'm kind of taking you at your word on the facts of this post...
I won't let you down Bob!
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