KENNETH KALES

The true test of the democratic

value of the internet is not how
many more people can sound-off,
but how many more people can
contemplate and engage in
thoughtful debate.

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ACHIEVING OBJECTIVITY IN THE MEDIA AND

INTERNET January 15, 2010

The true test of the democratic value of the internet is not how many more
people can sound-off, but how many more people can contemplate and
engage in thoughtful debate.

The democratization of media through the internet is a good theory,

however, the overall anecdotal results suggest more people are simply
talking to more like-minded people. Few, if any citizen posts on the
internet are for thoughtful debate and in fact, the nature of the medium
itself has produced a lot of partisan yelling, sarcasm, and abuse.

Thus, the hope and optimism for the internet to continue to raise
awareness of worthy causes is only a partial understanding of its
influence, because it is also contributing to a deeper segregation in our
society.

The limitations for traditional media are well documented, and the live or
die struggles we are experiencing now are proof only the strongest
survive. There is evidence too that this is a time for a wider recognition of
the limitations of the internet as a medium. Its most striking limitation is
also its greatest strength -- and that is the low, to no barrier for entry. On
one hand, anyone can speak their mind, on the other hand, this freedom
begets a degree of mindlessness.

The most integral parts of communication with one another have been
built on objectivity, empathy, and reasoning. The democratization claims
for the internet are incompatible, and at best naive without consideration
of the deep divides the internet creates.

As a book publisher, I am saddened to see a greater number of non-fiction

books conceding objectivity and honesty to partisan rankling. Some of
this is due to the pitfalls of a media market driven toward targeting niche
audiences: sell knitting books to knitters, conservative books to
conservatives, liberal books to liberals.

Objectivity, once the crown jewel of most respected media companies,

continues to erode and all of us, providers and consumers of media, are
responsible for it. A shift toward mindful professional standards in the
media with requires acknowledging and competing with the avalanche of
under-sourced and under-resourced democratized citizens of the internet.

This single differentiation on self-controlled objectivity is central to books

and other traditional media marketing themselves back to their vital place
as purveyors dedicated to revealing truth.

It is fine that self-aggrandizing internet communications exists, just

recognize it as such. Recognize that much of it is no more a
democratization of free speech than screaming "fire" in a crowded theater
is.

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