PressEthic

The talking head on CNN just gave his outcue, reminding viewers that "you can take CNN with you" by downloading a podcast. Also prior to the commercial break a screen flash and voiceover invited viewers to share what they are thankful for by emailing a response to CNN. During the past few weeks Brian Williams and Katie Couric have both mentioned in their newscasts stories that either broke or have received traction from online Blogs. This is current, this is the trend and direction media is travelling, and, for many, this is very foreign.

I am the youngest of six children. Three of us, the oldest, the middle child and myself have internet access and email. Without thinking, many of those I share space with in classrooms at New York University would come to a full stop, and look at me with a strange and incredulous stare, if I were to say that three of my siblings, and my mother, do not have email, or even a computer or internet access - let alone high-speed acess - and most likely have only the foggiest idea, if any at all, of what a podcast, or a vodcast or a blog even is.

Even still, television streams content that points to, or tries to drive viewers to, online forums and online content. They should. Otherwise, they would be left in the wake of competitors and of history. There is reason, however, to pause. Like most technological or industrial advances, there wil be a gulf between those who ride the wave and those left in the shallow end of progress. The difference between eight track tapes or cassettes, or VCR tapes and DVDs is different when discussing the relevance of information, of news and ideas which are not only shaped by the current technological milieu but are in turn shaping culture, politics and government. There exists a more pressing need to bring everyone into the Information Age.

There is a palpable feeling in current print and television media to keep up with advances, to be able to capitalize on media convergance and provide content in all available formats. It would be novel, while keeping up with the Jonses, to also capture the story of those left standing and wondering what all of this means. While covering the politicians promising to deliver high-speed internet to rural areas, why not cover the story of those without the means, the knowledge or the ability to exploit contemporary changes in technology? It is typical media hypocrisy to cover a story on poverty in America, or those unable to access social or public services, to then list websites where more information can be found.

The story is what is being done, what more can be done, to educate and enable all Americans to gain entry to the internet and own the tools of access to the information age.