Consumers beware...

In the past seven weeks I have attended or taught at forums and workshops related to journalism, news literacy and the art of literature.

I have met United States poet laureates and school teachers from Iowa.

During conversations, a common thread has emerged -- writing, not just journalism, is not what it used to be.  And there seems to be a common thread -- people, especially high school and college students, tend to be in such a hurry that they don't appreciate good writing or want to know the whole story.

Far fetched?  Hardly.  Everyone is in a hurry to disseminate information and present his or her side before someone else beats them to it.  It's not just the little guy or gal, either.

CNN reported that the Supreme Court overturned Obamacare.  Oops, we're bad, we meant to say upheld.  But at least we got it first.  

The New York Times, yes The New York Times reported that Cong. Gabrielle Giffords was killed by a gunman in Arizona.  Oops, we're bad, we meant to say critically injured.  But at least we got it first.

How does this happen?

You're using the culprit right now -- A computer. A smart phone. A tablet.  The Internet.

News consumers today are also news reporters.  The trouble is, many don't known what they're doing.  Hey, it's OK to pass this "breaking news" I just got in my email.  It's kind of like playing that old game, Post Office.  Start a statement and watch how it gets twisted.

So along with the instant dissemination of unverified and unaccountable information, comes the reaction. The comment. After almost every article or every post.  Comment, click and post. 

It is becoming the vain of many newsrooms and online services and it is slowly beginning to change.

Traditional media outlets are exploring ways of curtailing the venom spread online.  Some are beginning to verify each person who posts -- which is a laborious task - -while others are merely hiding posts of people who precipitate online rancor.  One editor I spoke with said his media company was considering a system that limits annoying or blatantly disrespectful  posters type a post and enter it -- but only lets the poster see it.  The general public would never see it in print or online.

Some outlets are exploring the possibility of people who want to post to sign in with a social media registration so their real name automatically appears.

The bottom line is many media outlets are tired of the he-said, she-said routine that proves to be nothing more than an incessant rant filled with acrid name calling.

Facts?  You're kidding, right? 

Daniel Patrick Moynihan noted that "every one is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts."

Darn, there goes all the fun.  It's so much more fun to throw darts and watch people respond, many of whom want to do so anonymously.

I suspect that some media outlets, such as AOL's Patch, lets things run so the bean counters can brag about the number of hits Patch sites are getting.  Advertisers, especially potential advertisers love numbers.

Patch has an open door policy -- you want to blog? Come on in -- it's good for our communities.

It's not good for verifiable and accountable information.  People who spew venom and misinformation get to stand on their soap box, but the end result becomes just as, if not more, annoying.

As I noted above, it becomes a cat-and-mouse game of he-said, she-said and if you don't like my opinion, then bully on you.

The joys of new traditions.  The last time I heard about a new tradition it was the Dallas Greene-lead Chicago Cubs under the field management of Lee Elia.

So much for new traditions.

It is interesting, however, how traditional media outlets, yes, newspapers have gotten themselves between a rock and a hard place.  They verify letters to the editors and other opinions, but let the comments to stories run rampant.

So what's a media outlet to do? Charge for posting and comments -- could be.  Limit the length of posting and comments?  Why not? Many print media already limit the number of words in letters to the editors.

Ask people to be civil, courteous and respectful?  

Nah, that will never work.  

An old adage in the news business is "sex sells".  And that is, in many ways, what is happening in media today.  Traditional media are becoming concerned and beginning to crack down. 

Many upstart media outlets, like AOL's Patch, see it as a money maker.  Which is too bad.  Because when dollar signs usurp credible information and respectful interactions, it's the bona fide news consumer who suffers because all he/she gets in the end is someone's dirty laundry.

I know -- but at least they're getting it first.