The Solicitor General's Office is investigating a Facebook page that seeks to predict the outcome of a case before the courts while the trial is in progress, thus prejudicially affecting the outcome.
Bloggers have to beware and be aware that saying anything about a case before the courts may affect outcomes. The above Facebook page may prevent a conviction whether one was a good idea or not, by attacking a defense, these vigilantes make the job of the police impossible.
They may have found justification from the other "publicly perceived" case of recent times. The supposed perception (or result of polling) of the public or the gathering of people prior to fair hearing is just a lynch mob.
The Media partly exists as a means for the public dissemination of the putrid details that we can discuss without damaging the state's ability to put away the monsters and dig out the unfortunates that get caught up in the justice juggernaut.
Blogging is a freedom of communication but does not replace the primary responsibility of the journalist, except for the most committed train spotters - bloggers only really can comment, most often they are not witnesses, but perhaps at their most relevant is when eyewitness to events feed the media with an immediate point of view. If blogging were the feed for the media there is a danger of an absence of any investigative journalism.
Where does the authenticity go when it is all just republishing? No, the media is more about local news and businesses than ever before.
As the major media outlets let people go with the lack of trust that the wheels will turn and people will spend and respond to advertising and online means are explored - a never ending experiment on the web. Those with software vision like Amazon now command great Empires of the new world.
But the Media has now to play its trump card. Before it lets go too many of its very talented. Hosting better public political debate and commentary will engage a huge audience and we have all the tools to produce a genuine public discussion where all voices can have meaning.
Reporters are needed to dig up the truth. To professionally find out. Most of us are too embarrassed or shy to persist long enough to dig up the dirt on the Bernie Madoffs that would deceive us. Criminality takes more than just enforcement to conquer. Information is freedom. Democracy can not be claimed without a free active and digging media, keeping them honest.
Social Integrity is not guaranteed without it.
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