In this day and age, there are countless sources of information out there. A person could go around in circles many times over, trying to find the best source. How does a person know where to look? Is a source valid and reasonable? Is it one to be overlooked? What about the Internet? How does a person know if an internet source is a good option? These are questions that linger for those seeking quality information.
Discerning consumers seek information through a variety of resources. One does not only have to be in search of material goods to be a consumer. In fact, many consumers seek knowledge as their primary product. Most knowledge is delivered to the general public through media outlets. The modern world has dependence on media of various types. Whether a person gets their news from a local news paper, the daily 5 o'clock news cast, or even a subject-specific internet blog, they are dependent on media.
Media dependence is not always a bad thing. The problem comes when a person does not know where to find quality information. People know to be wary of internet information, but are print and broadcast media much different? A newspaper may have a long readership history and respected tone, but it could be biased. Large corporations or wealthy investors often own newspapers (or their parent corporations), and can have an impact on the information it may contain. A reader seeking good information must do their homework to make sure what they are getting is not biased. All media sources need to have some kind of accreditation process or service to enable readers and consumers to be sure they know where their information is coming from.
Accreditation protects the consumer and gives full disclosure about where news comes from. A reader who is looking for a certain kind of piece of information knows where to go and what to look for when a media outlet has accreditation. Accreditation allows the public reassurance as to the validity of what they are consuming. Media accreditation also protects and benefits the media outlet. They know the public has full information and can defend their product if there is ever question.
Media accreditation is a vital step in the process of having clear and consistent guidelines for information. With all the various places to obtain news and information, it is important that it's known where information is coming from. A personal, subjective account written in an Internet blog may very well be informative and interesting. A fact-based piece in a national newspaper may also be relevant to issues a person feels strongly about in their personal life. Both forms of information are important, but it is equally important to know where it comes from. Having an accrediting body lets the reader know where information originates.
Discerning consumers seek information through a variety of resources. One does not only have to be in search of material goods to be a consumer. In fact, many consumers seek knowledge as their primary product. Most knowledge is delivered to the general public through media outlets. The modern world has dependence on media of various types. Whether a person gets their news from a local news paper, the daily 5 o'clock news cast, or even a subject-specific internet blog, they are dependent on media.
Media dependence is not always a bad thing. The problem comes when a person does not know where to find quality information. People know to be wary of internet information, but are print and broadcast media much different? A newspaper may have a long readership history and respected tone, but it could be biased. Large corporations or wealthy investors often own newspapers (or their parent corporations), and can have an impact on the information it may contain. A reader seeking good information must do their homework to make sure what they are getting is not biased. All media sources need to have some kind of accreditation process or service to enable readers and consumers to be sure they know where their information is coming from.
Accreditation protects the consumer and gives full disclosure about where news comes from. A reader who is looking for a certain kind of piece of information knows where to go and what to look for when a media outlet has accreditation. Accreditation allows the public reassurance as to the validity of what they are consuming. Media accreditation also protects and benefits the media outlet. They know the public has full information and can defend their product if there is ever question.
Media accreditation is a vital step in the process of having clear and consistent guidelines for information. With all the various places to obtain news and information, it is important that it's known where information is coming from. A personal, subjective account written in an Internet blog may very well be informative and interesting. A fact-based piece in a national newspaper may also be relevant to issues a person feels strongly about in their personal life. Both forms of information are important, but it is equally important to know where it comes from. Having an accrediting body lets the reader know where information originates.