Last year,in a remarkable case stemming from the right to privacy, the British tabloid News of the World actually closed for good after a shocking phone hacking scandal. Click here to learn more about it, and be sure to watch at least the first video, "Scandal shuts down British tabloid".
Then read this column about the difference between tabloid journalism and investigative journalism.
Finally, just in case you were thinking that you have no worries about privacy, check out this report about new cell phone spyware that not only tracks your every move but can also be used a means of harassment. Protect your privacy!
Creative Commons photo by Howard Lake
I think it is terrible what News of the World did. The scandal caused people to loose their jobs, and even their reputations. The company had such a great business going for them, and they ruined it all, with this phone scandal. What a shame. After reading that column, I can see that there is definitely a big difference between tabloid journalism and investigative journalism. The cell phone spyware video was very scary to me. I had NO idea that just anyone can hack into your phone and track you. This is a serious issue in the world today and I really think something must be done to stop it. Technology just boggles my mind these days.
ReplyDeleteI think the scandal surrounding the News of the World was blown out of proportion a little bit. Almost every publication has infamous moments and moments of really good journalism. The scandal was just a bad moment in their magazine's history. The column discussing the differences between tabloid journalism really clarified the line for me because I was unaware of how different the two types of journalism compared. Lastly, the video investigation of cell phone spyware really disturbed me because I actually thought my personal phone use was protected. I feel that taping into phones and hacking phones should be illegal.
ReplyDeleteI think it is quite unfortunate the News of the World closed. They proved to be a successful newspaper for many many years. Although so many people lost their jobs who weren't involved, in a way, I think it is kind of good the paper shut down. It showed the paper knew what they did was wrong and served as an example to all papers that only ethical means of investigating will be tolerated. The article about tabloid and investigative journalism was very helpful for distinguising the two. The video on cell phone spyware was quite alarming. I didn't know it was that simple to hack into a cellular device and it scared me to know how much access to your phone a hacker could have. I definitely think steps should be taken to help reduce the possibility of people being able to hack into cell phones.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading the article and watching the videos, I feel that what the News of the World wrote in their articles was not wrong; however, they way they obtained their information was wrong and unethical. Tabloids today, such as the National Inquirer, write scrutinizing articles about celebrities and persons of interest today. They do the exact same things as the News of the World did, yet they have not been caught for their unethical practices. I feel that the closing of the News of the World was more of a statement to show people that journalists cannot partake in such wrong actions. I hope the government opens their eyes to situations such as these after hearing about this so people's privacies can be protected. Journalists who do such unethical things, like phone tapping, need to be prosecuted. It just isn't fair that the privacy of people are being intruded just for entertainment reasons.
ReplyDeleteThe News of the World tabloid was very unethical in their ways of obtaining information. Additionally, the information they obtained was very personal and embarrassing. Even if they didn't use all of the information they received, the fact that they had it is still very intrusive in my opinion. The spyware video is really mind-boggling!It makes me think of everything I've ever said in text messages, on phone calls and even in conversations where my phone has just been laying on the table (which is pretty much all the time)! It's scary to think that anyone can hear what I am saying and see where I am, basically, at all times. These articles and videos really opened my eyes to the flip-side of the journalism that we have been studying all semester.
ReplyDeleteI believe that what the News of the World did was horrible. It was not only illegal, but also a huge invasion of privacy. After watching the videos, especially the Spyware Through cell phones, it is scary how people can listen to all of your conversations,read your text messages, see every call, and track your every move. This video was posted in 2009. If they had that much spyware for bugging then, I wonder how much they have now. How far can they go with stalking individuals?
ReplyDeleteI think it is sad that News of the World closed,despite all the scandals surrounding it. Though what they did was wrong, I can't help but think what dirty tricks American tabloids are using to obtain their information. I hope that the News of the World closing can serve as an example, and that we can start cracking down on the illegal methods of reporters to try and avoid any more damage to people. The spyware video was shocking to me. After all the precautions we take to ensure the protection of our private information, it is astonishing that there are still ways to get around all of them. Something should definitely be done to stop the hacking into peoples' private lives, and I think one of them should be getting the world out that we are still not safe.
ReplyDeleteI think it was really low for the News of the World to tap into people's phone lines and it is scary to think that they could, and that anyone can. The News of the World was unprofessional and were wrong to use illegal activities to get information. If the people want to be treated like professionals, they have to act like they are. It is sad that this newspaper would stoop so low to break the law just to get a good story. The spyware phone video was shocking. It is very scary to think that someone could be listening to your every word and stalking you, by tracking and tapping into your cell phone. To think about how often I use my phone and how I have it attached to my at all times, it's freaky to know that someone could now everything about me because I'm so attached to my phone. It makes you wonder if you're truly safe.
ReplyDeleteYes, the tabloid News of the World was wrong in their ways of obtaining information, and the fact that they were shut down may have warned other tabloids to start playing it safe. However, I don't think News of the World should have been the one to set an example to the rest of the tabloids, since there are others who I believe are much less ethical. The spyware video actually scared me to a point where a became very paranoid, which, in a way, is a positive and a negative reaction.
ReplyDeleteI think the News of the World was wrong for the their means of attaining information, and eventually this and other factors led to its demise. People who were not even involved in these allegations were forced to loose their job. Also the fact that it has become this easy for people to tap into your phone was even more shocking. This just goes to tell you, that you are never safe wherever you are, and someone can always be listening in on all of your conversations.
ReplyDeleteI think a lot of the journalism industry is getting sidetracked by this type of journalism and it continually is getting less and less ethical, which is proven in the phone scandal. I also think the new cell phone spyware is absolutely unethical and should be illegal. it is a major violation of our right's and once that first step is taken, it will all go down hill from there.
ReplyDeleteI think the News of the World went way too far in reporting the news. The fact that they would publish names of pedophiles, some of which would be misidentified, is wrong. Don't put something in a newspaper unless you are 100% sure it's true. The fact that they are phone hacking people in order to obtain information is very dirty and shows that they have no respect for privacy. I think that cell phone spyware should only be implemented when we know for sure that there is a threat in the United States, and currently there is not so there is no use for it.
ReplyDeleteThe News of the World's actions were unquestionably wrong. The scandal should serve as a reminder that the information in the tabloids we see every day at the grocery store could have been obtained illegally. It is disturbing that journalists, who already suffer from a reputation of being nosy, would worsen people's opinions of their profession by hacking into private voicemails. The scandal ruined a profitable publication and tarnished the reputation of a powerful corporation. It also deprived innocent people of their jobs. While this is all terrible, the report on cell phone spyware was more disconcerting. Almost everyone I know has a cell phone, and people use their cell phones for very important things. It would be a nightmare to have your phone hacked. And who's to say it isn't already hacked? There is certainly a huge difference between honest investigative journalism and tabloid journalism.
ReplyDeleteThere is no question that the News of the World's actions were extremely unethical. Hacking somebody's phone is a huge invasion of privacy. It is essentially the same thing as going through somebody's mail. It is unprincipled and illegal. There is no reason for a tabloid to attain their information in such an immoral way. "Entertainment" should not be considered more important than one's privacy. One of the saddest parts about the News of the World closing is that they were well known for being a great and trustworthy publication. Unfortunately, most of their "exclusive or breaking news" stories were obtained by illegal methods. It is never okay to tap into another person's phone and that is why the phone hacking video frightened me so much. One of the luxuries of having a cell phone is so our messages and calls can be kept private. With all the new technology that has been coming out over the last few years monitoring calls and messages will only become easier. As Americans we are supposed to have our rights of freedom. Well hacking and tapping into phones doesn't sound very "free" to me.
ReplyDeleteThe News of the World messed up in tapping phones, but they should've just came clean sooner. Maybe, if they had, the paper wouldn't have to shut down. Shame on the editor and the reporters for stooping that low! Journalist are supposed to have boundaries. There is a huge difference between investigative journalism and what happened here. One journalist himself admitted that, while some of the things he learned from the phone tap was investigative journalism, most of it was junk no one cares about.
ReplyDeleteThe spy software for phones is scary not only because it exists, but because anyone can have access to it. It seriously makes me consider how protected my calls are. It doesn't make me feel safe that anyone could bug my phone and I wouldn't even know. I'm definitely turning off my cell phone when it's not in use now!
What The News of the World did in order to obtain their information was obviously unethical. What was printed tarnished reputations, and prevented some from getting jobs. Tapping phones of anyone, no matter whose, is an invasion of privacy no matter the intention. With the technology today, it scares me how anyone can know where I am, what I am doing, and any other detail in my life. This shows me how journalism can bring out the worst in people, making them malicious and self centered.
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