Phil 1030

Legacy media 

Refers to traditional forms of mass media that existed before the internet (newspapers, magazine, radio and television)

Different types of legacy media news sources 

Print newspaper, magazines, broadcast television, radio, books 

ie. New York Times, CNN, Radio Stations, ABC, CBS, NBC,

Fake news

False or misleading information 

• Looks like real news sites but publishes fictional stories 

• Sometimes they mimicked the look of a legitimate new site, with a similar URL 

Journalism 

The process of gathering, assessing, creating, and presenting news and information to the public through various media.

Journalistic ethics: basic principles

Journalists who work for a news organization are expected to uphold certain standards

• Accuracy 

• Fairness 

• Right to Privacy 

• Independence 

• Transparency 

• Promises to Sources 

• Diversity 

• Accountability

Press release

• Most large organizations (for example, a corporation, or a university) have a communications, or media relations department. 

• If something is done within the organization that might be newsworthy, the communications department prepares a press release, or news release.

• Purpose: to let journalists know about what has happened, and to give them something they can use as a basis for a news story.

The Eliza effect 

The tendency of people to project human attributes onto computer programs that produce something that superficially resembles a human conversation

• Psychotherapist conducted test on ELIZA model, found that participants began to believe the program and attribute human emotions to it, they continued to treat it as intelligent even after they knew how it worked

Generative AI “hallucinations” 

Generative AI programs are designed to produce text (and other output) that resembles the responses of humans.

• In training, responses are not rated on correctness. ChatGPT and other LLMs routinely fabricate material.

• Developers call these “hallucinations”

• When a human hallucinates, the brain is malfunctioning.

• When ChatGPT or other generative AI programs hallucinate”, they’re doing what they’re designed to do: produce output that looks convincing

Peer review

Scientific journals that other scientists take seriously employ a system of peer review.  

• The editor looks at the paper, determines whether it’s appropriate for the journal. 

• If so, it is sent to referees (number varies; usually two or more). 

• Referees write a report, and recommend one of: Accept, Accept following satisfactory revision, Reject. 

• Editor makes a decision on the basis of referee reports.

Predatory journal

Journals that look like real scientific journals, but publish virtually all submissions, for the purpose of collecting publication fees.

• They may claim to be peer-reviewed, but the process isn’t real review.

• Predatory journals and publishers are entities that prioritize self-interest at the expense of scholarship and are characterized by false or misleading information, deviation from best editorial and publication practices, a lack of transparency, and/or the use of aggressive and indiscriminate solicitation practices.

“Publish or perish” 

Is an idiom describing the pressure in academia to constantly publish research to maintain a career. 

• The phrase signifies that a lack of publications can lead to a loss of professional standing, failure to gain tenure, or even termination.

Academic tenure

A permanent employment status that protects a faculty member from dismissal except for "just cause" or "extraordinary circumstances" like financial exigency

• Granting professors the security to research and teach potentially controversial or unpopular ideas without fear of retribution.

• A position with tenure cannot be terminated without cause. 

Industry Associations (be familiar with the examples discussed in class) 

Companies involved in the same industry are competitors for market share but they also have interests in common (things that affect the industry as a whole). For that reason, they form industry associations:

• Purpose is to promote the interests of the industry

• Members are companies in that industry

Example: GMOAnswers is funded by the members of CropLife International.

Corporation Duties of directors and officers of corporations 

• People running a corporations have by virtue of those positions, certain duties 

  • Fiduciary Duty of Loyalty 

    • Directors and Officers must act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the corporation 

  • Duty of Care

    • Directors and officers must “exercise the care, diligence and skill that a reasonable prudent individual would 

• If duties are violated, they can be sued by shareholders of the company 

SWOT analysis 

• Officers of high positions should actively be looking for company Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats

PR Industry

Profits on any corporation depends on consumer attitude, management is required by law to care about what you think

• Will take steps to shape public opinion 

  • People to specialize in public relations (Public Relations Industry) 

“Third Man” Technique

It is believed that people will be more receptive to a message if it appears to come from a source that doesn’t have a vested interest in it.

• The “Third Man” technique consists of presenting one’s message as if it’s coming from a neutral third party.

Information Laundering

“Independent” think tanks are formed (often via a PR firm hired by a company or group of companies) to Fund “independent” research, produce reports, press releases, op-ed pieces, sponsor public talks

• A corporation’s message is more effective when it seems to come from a neutral third party

• Companies also cultivate relationships with scientists willing to spread their message.

Ghostwriting 

A book or article is said to be ghost-written when the person (or persons) who actually wrote it is different from the person or persons listed as authors.

• In some contexts this is benign: (Celebrities who want to produce a memoir often hire a ghostwriter)

• If the article is an article submitted to a scientific journal, anything other than full transparency about authorship is serious scientific misconduct.

  • Ex. Monsanto and Glyphosate

Grassroots campaigns 

A grassroots movement or campaign is one that has its origin in ordinary citizens who are concerned about some issue.

• it’s not driven from above by political or business leaders.

Astro roots Campaigns

Some PR firms offer, as services, generation of grassroots campaigns.  

These are sometimes referred to (by people outside the PR industry) as “astroturf roots.”

Influencer marketing 

A social media marketing approach that uses endorsements and product mentions from influencers