Editorial Opinion: First Amendment Fundamental Freedoms

Engulfed by chaos, I am taking a pause to revisit the fundamental freedoms offered to the citizens of the United States of America (USA) titled: The First Amendment.

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." (Congress.gov)

What is not protected speech:
"Only that expression that is shown to belong to a few narrow categories of speech is not protected by the First Amendment. The categories of unprotected speech include obscenity, child pornography, defamatory speech, false advertising, true threats, and fighting words."
(American Library Association)

It has been eight months since I wrote of the disappointment with individuals, local government and their use of social media. Not all speech is protected. 

Finally the FCC is a five member active board. Re-instating Net-Neutrality is a priority, IMO. Without it, rural areas like the one where I am located, are being priced out of the market for utilizing a tool that is so important in today's lifestyle. 

"Net neutrality is the concept of an open, equal internet for everyone, regardless of device, application or platform used and content consumed. Proponents of the idea believe all corporations, including internet service providers (ISPs), should treat internet data and users equally." (TechTarget)

If this wasn't enough chaos. In the USA, the House of Representatives expelled the Speaker of the House, an ex-President under indictments, War in Israel, War in Ukraine and a long list of global conflicts.

When I wake to a new day, I am rather prepared for a day of Malinformation. 

Editorial Opinion: This Dadaist Sorts Hats

Max Ernst - Ubu Imperator - 1923

These days and times, I find myself wasting too much time analyzing everything I read or listen to provided as news or community social media posts.

No matter what; Just surrounded by stupid or is it?
I actually have a vintage pin-back button that says,
"I'm surrounded by stupid."
I keep it right by my keyboard so, I can stay on track. 
A mantra button that was among Dad's possessions.
Rather odd item for him, considering his age and mine.

What's the issue? The usage of defining information as misinformation or disinformation. I looked it up. One of the benefits of the internet.

The artist in me suggests reading about the DaDa Art Movement during and after World War I. 

Merriam Webster Dictionary
Misinformation
Incorrect or misleading information

In my world the proofreader is responsible to catch the errors, the flow of the words and meaing, the spelling and take those corrections to their boss or editor. There would be no misinformation. 

Merriam Webster Dictionary

Disinformation

False information deliberately and often covertly spread (as by the planting of rumors) in order to influence public opinion or obscure the truth. 

Merriam Webster states the synonym for disinformation is propaganda.

"Fake News" Is Not Simply False Information 

  

   

I am reclaiming my time! 

Creekside News Journal

Article DOT/GOV Act 2020

The Hat Makes The Man - Max Ernst - 1920

Word for The Day: Cyber-bullying

Word for The Day: Cyber-bullying

It has been some time since I have addressed the word; cyber-bullying.

In 2006 and 2008, teenagers were the victims of cyber-bullying in Missouri. Those incidents brought attention to the lack of laws to punish the criminals having damaging effects on the lives of others. 

Today, there are about 45 states that have laws in their State's to legally address this crime. Before the cyber-bullying laws were put into place, teenagers got the word out among their peers to stop being cruel.

So, here it is 2021, and cyber-bullying is widespread among adults especially when politics has a voice in this abuse utilizing tech instruments and social media platforms. 

Arkansas is one of the states that has a cyber-bullying law (Ark. Code Ann. § 5-41-108.) Is it time for adults to wake-up and realize that it is not just young people that utilize their devices (internet, social media, phones, letters and gaming) that causes harm to others?

Even First Lady Melania Trump attempted to have bullying her personal project but, it got lost in the news cycles. So, what is cyber-bullying?

Definition? Cyber-bullying or cyber-harassment is a form of bullying or harassment using electronic means. Cyber-bullying and cyber-harassment are also known as online bullying. It has become increasingly common, especially among teenagers, as the digital sphere has expanded and technology has advanced. Wikipedia https://g.co/kgs/GkaQs4

What are the causes and effect of cyber-bullying? Like all forms of bullying, cyber-bullying causes psychological, emotional and physical stress. Each person's response to being bullied is unique, but research has shown some general tendencies. StopBullying.gov reports that youth who are bullied have a higher risk of depression and anxiety.

What is the purpose of cyber-bullying? Cyber-bullying is the use of digital-communication tools (like the Internet and cell phones) to make another person feel angry, sad, or scared. Online bullying is like in-person bullying in two key ways. It's done on purpose, and it tends to happen more than once.. understood.org

My message to seniors and young adults; cyber-bullying is not just about oppression of teenagers and their silly, impulsive manners. There are adults that utilize all of the new telecommunication platforms. These tech platforms are harboring cyber-bullying offences as well as breaking open meeting laws, which were created  to insure that citizens were informed, able to participate and elected officials followed government procedures.

Why do any of us continue to address the wrongs and continue the pursuit of Hope and being good mentors?

My answer to that question are the words spoken, to a group of journalists during a dark time of misinformation, by John Seigenthaler, "enduring values matter."

rls

Update editing March 8, 2023

Editorial Opinion: Brand & FTC

Brand Me: Part 1

I usually have links posted to articles but today, I am following some professional advice given to me personally regarding:  Brand Me.

Now the advice is an interesting point of view and actually quite foreign to my nature but, I do get the point. With that stated the main me is Rebecca Lea.

In this growing world of social media and the voices that generate so much content on this global network through Social Media, email, newsletters, web pages, etc.; International rules are broken minute by minute as well as U.S. Federal laws, which is my home country.

I do believe it was yesterday that I signed the petition and I wrote an opinion, which supported the point of view to the U.S. Congress that the U.S. Endangered Species Act needs to be left in the hands of the Science professionals that study and understand the purpose of protecting life on this planet based on an Eco balanced system.

Even though I have a Master of Science degree as well as some significant honors; it is not my field of study but I appreciate others in the field of study and their expertise. I do have the ability and background to follow the conversation and the science data.

In my younger years, I was a part of the team that consisted of those "endangered species experts," the U.S. Forest Service team that kept everyone safe in the woods and the "data" collectors that logged all the information precisely for what became The Final Report.

I do have a passion for the conversation on Climate Change and I run a Twitter account with a targeted audience on the environment. 

Newer Blogspot:
Creekside News Journal
Climate - Water - News: Are we past the Tipping Point?


Since I labeled this Part 1, I will stay on what has become the first topic: Environment.

There is no need for me to tell you about Climate Change. There are experts and organizations dedicated to the science and conversation as well as global panels addressing the big picture.

I run a board on the topic at my Pinterest account: gdrebeccalea

As well as boards for Endangered Species. There are two boards on things I find of interest: Board I and Board II plus many more.

I do like the visual connect of utilizing Pinterest. My recommendation to "pinners:" Read the information behind the Pin. One should never assume that the picture and the content connect!

Today, individuals have a greater resource through the Internet to gather information but, Trust has always been an issue in the highway of Network Information.

Sometime in the last six months or so, the FTC added Social Media to the list of violations.

Younger people need to be aware as well as some older users that It is U.S. FTC violation to be utilizing a Social Media network by an employee as for the purpose of  "tooting" the praises of a product or company. It is considered a False representation of the product, business or company.

Transparency!

This new addition to the FTC rules was a professional insight that I shared with some younger Internet professionals through my Linked In networks.

It is very easy to spot the conversations or to even Check Fact the conversation.

Corporations are using the younger user employee through their social media skills to advance the company without the Transparency that is required.

Might appear to be a cushy job spot but be aware that the FTC has addressed the issue.

There is a correct way. It starts with Transparency.

Update editing March 8, 2023