Who's Your Source?

Unless you live under a rock, you’ve probably heard that the Apple’s new iPhones were released this past weekend. Millions of people stood in line across the country to get in on the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus action. Some tech analysts are getting in on the action by commenting on why sales of the new phones have reached 10 Million dollars in the first weekend of sales. After reading “New iPhone Sales Top 10 Million in the First Weekend” (Chen & Isaac, 2014) in the New York Times online edition, I started to wonder who the analysts are that have given the new iPhones such praise.  Was this article written to generate buzz about the new product?  Or is this article truthful and forthcoming will all sides of the story? I decided backtrack the sources to prove that what I’ve read online in this article is factual.

I started with the authors of the article, Brian X. Chen and Mike Isaac.  My main goal with the authors was to find out what they’re credentials and connection to the subject are. What makes them qualified to discuss the impact of the new iPhones?  After a little research, I found that Brian X. Chen is a leader in the tech field.  Not only is he the technology reporter for the New York Times, he previously wrote about mobile phones at Wired.com.  He’s also written a book “Always On”, which discusses how the smartphone revolution has transformed our culture. The second author of the article is Mike Isaac. Isaac recently joined the New York Times as a tech reporter after a career as a senior editor at re/code and its predecessor, “AllThingsD” at the Wall Street Journal. Isaac is know for his tech savvy knowledge on everything from Facebook to Twitter to smartphones.  I can safely conclude that the authors have the qualifications for me to trust the article. In addition, knowing that the New York Times is a credible source for news, I am confident that Chen and Isaac have done the research needed to write the article.

In investigating the sources within the article, I found that each source is also credible.  In the article, Maynard Um, senior research analyst for Wells Fargo, confirmed the authors theory of the iPhones making tremendous sales by discussing the demand for the iPhone 6 Plus and the iPhone 6. Um covers the IT Hardware sector for Wells Fargo. In addition to IT hardware, Um followed a number of technology sectors, including Internet, PC Software and Wireless Equipment. The next source, Gene Munster of Piper Jaffray, is a managing director and senior research analyst. Munster has been covering digital media since 1995. Munster offered another view on the story by wondering if the iPhone sales are a reliable measure of consumer demand.  The article’s authors have now shown both sides of the stories. The final source in the article is Walter Piecyk, managing director at BTIG Research. Piecyks lengthy background in telecom service provider and communication equipment equities gives him the authority to confirm the theory of Apple’s chief executive, Timothy D. Cook, the iPhone sales are really dependent on how much Apple can supply.

While I can confirm that the information in this article is true, it’s imperative to know not all articles online are truthful. This article was found in the New York Times online edition. Because this news source is reputable, there was very little doubt in my mind that this story was less than truthful. However, I was able to backtrack the sources to confirm my initial thoughts. It’s up to the reader to have the knowledge and skills to decipher fact from fiction when reading online information.  Always check the author(s), date, type of website and whether the article is fair and balanced when considering the validity of the article.  Just remember, not everything you read online is true.

Chen, B & Issac, M. (September 22, 2014). New iPhone Sales Top 10 Million in First

Weekend. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/23/technology/apple-sells-10-million-new-iphones-in-first-weekend.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&version=HpHeadline&module=second-column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news&_r=0

But How Do You Know?

Have you ever considered what you know and how you know it?  I guess my initial answer would be…I don’t know! But seriously, after spending some time considering my answer I would say I know what I know because I trust my sources. From childhood we’re taught to believe our parents, teachers, police and other people of authority. Now that we’re adults we have the knowledge we need to contemplate our sources information thoroughly and decide for ourselves if the information we have been given is fact or fiction.

Everyday online news outlets compete to bring us the latest news stories. Everyone wants to be able to say they have ‘breaking news’ or are ‘first to report’, but reality is, perhaps the reader just wants the source to be correct and not first.  You must consider the source when digesting information. Is the news organization reputable?  Are you familiar with the writer? Does the writer cleverly sneak in his or her opinion and pass it off as fact?  Those are all legitimate things to consider, especially when the story is new a still developing. I’m not saying all developing news stories online have some form of fictitious facts, but it’s best to be alert as readers of social media writers and bloggers.

While doing my daily check-in with Facebook today, I learned the annual rankings of the Top 50 Historically Black Colleges and University was released this morning.  My friend on Facebook alerted his followers that our school, Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University tied at number 23 with the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore. Since I trust my friend, also considered my source in this situation, I can consider the ranking to be true. However, as a reader my curiosity got the best of me and I continued to search for the original source, also known as my sources, source. After a quick Google search I was able to find the full ranking list on the U.S. News & World Report website, the originator of the story. 

While I did believe my original source, it was nice to know that I could confirm the story quickly with the stories originator. Still, we have to keep in the back of our minds that not all sources on social media sites are credible.  Since there are no police on the World Wide Web to announce the authenticity of each story, it’s up to us as readers discern what we’re reading.  It’s key to remember that if we’re conflicted about the aspects of a story, we must seek additional outlets in order to come to an educated conclusion about the information. While we are only readers, we do have the right to investigate and even challenge writers on their choice of words and authority.  Bottom line is, don’t believe everything you see or read online. Consider the source before you can firmly say what you know you know.

Influence of the Media

Forms of New Media I use Daily

I love new media technology. I always have my smartphone or tablet nearby. I’ve grown to rely on my devices no only to stay connected with family and friends, but also to stay on top of local, national and world news. I also use my smartphone when I’m out and about to Google information I may need at that moment. Not to mention, I use my smartphone when I’m bored to visit my favorite celebrity gossip sites. It’s become a device of convenience.

How Has Social Media Influenced My Perspective of Events

Social media gives us a unique view on the world and its events. With a click of a button we’re able to find out what’s going on in our city, state, country and or world.  It allows us to form an immediate opinion on current events.  Depending on which social media site I visit, I can admit my perspective can be influence. This is why it’s so important for news media outlets to follow strict ethical guidelines when it comes to posting and updating stories online.

When it comes to my social interaction with my friends and family, I have found that I am quicker to form an opinion.  For example, Facebook is an outlet for sharing events from our personal lives, but I often question those who share too much information. I find myself questioning the motive about sharing extremely personal details of their lives. Without social media, I probably would not have formed these opinions.  So my point of saying this is; social media is an awesome tool, but be very careful of what you post online.