It is hard to argue that media play an important role in the modern society and in life of every individual. Essentially, they are an irreplaceable part of it. Most of the people always watch and read news every day, a habit that strengthened with emergence of the Internet, mobile devices like smartphones and tablets, and social media altogether. Media practically became hands-on, available when, where and how you want it – on T.V., in a paper or electronic magazine or newspaper, or on Facebook. Getting the latest news nearly in the blink of an eye is par for the course. Yet, everything has a price; advantages also bring disadvantages. News travel so fast that misrepresentations media are often accused of spread quickly, replacing the truth.
Latest episode with Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple, is a compelling example. In the beginning of the year, he gave interview to Wired, a renowned and authoritative magazine, about technology, on the Apps World North America conference in San Francisco (Apple Should Make an Android Phone). In the first place, Wired wrote Wozniak said that Apple’s Iphone should run Android operating system. Nevertheless Wozniak does not work for Apple anymore, this statement instantly sprouted a wide and lively discussion on social media, with Apple and Google fans going back to arguing which is better, and became one of the centerpieces on news websites that day. Yet, a few days later Wozniak stated: he said Apple should make and Android phone, not make the ones which runs their operating system to be working on Android.
The example is striking. Wired is long-established, respected, and responsible magazine with a mission to be a guide in the world of technology, which is so essential today. Not only it misfired on fragile issue and spread the quote, but deleted any evidence of it on its website. Such situations force us to question our trust in the media we tend to respect and wonder where to turn to for reliable information in the endless media space.
References
Honan, M. (2014, February 6). Steve Wozniak: Apple Should Make an Android Phone. Wired. Accessed March 6, 2014. Retrieved from http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2014/02/woz-interview/
