Blog Post #6 notable individuals on social media

• REFLECTING ON JODY VANCE’S INTERVIEW. IDENTIFY THE RISKS AND BENEFITS OF ENGAGING WITH A PUBLIC AUDIENCE IN A MEDIA SPACE, HOW TO BEST ADDRESS NEGATIVE REPLIES AND CRITIQUES REFLECTIVE OF YOUR PERSONAL VALUES AND EMPLOYER SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY?

The media spaces including social media have provided individuals with an opportunity to share opinions and interact with others. However, there are various challenges and risks associated with the usage of media spaces for public figures or people in a position of trust. For example, government officials may be expected to represent their departments, and their opinions may be considered relevant to government sources. Therefore, the opinions shared by them may be considered information suggest people to take actions with consequences. Similarly, the opinions shared by lawyers on social platforms may be regarded as advice by people interacting with them on the platform. This suggests that there is a greater level of responsibility involved with the usage of various media spaces for public figures and people in the position of trust. They have to maintain significant caution in offering their opinions. I think it may be necessary for them to separate their opinions from credible information so that people can be protected from inappropriate judgement. Jody Vance has also discussed the social media policy of employers that needs to be adhered to by employees while using social media platforms. An important consideration in this aspect is the understanding of a line that should be respected while offering opinions and interacting with others in social spaces.

• HOW DO NOTABLE INDIVIDUALS USE SOCIAL MEDIA?

I believe notables use social media with extreme caution. Social media is a platform for them to let people know more about them, and to gain fame. It is a place to show their ideas and highlights to people. Though, I think it is also a very dangerous place for them too. Notables always have many audiences, so they need to be very caution for what they share. Any bit of personal comments on political or social issues will bring influence among his/her audiences.

• WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF BEING IN THE PUBLIC EYE AND HAVING A PLN?

I think having a PLN in the public eye will have various benefits. First is this person will have fame, and will be accept by many people, which will give him enough confidence to continue on what he/she do. Second, when they need something, they can easily find the right thing or an easy way to get it by their network. Lastly, they have the opportunity to know other famous people, to learn, to work with them.

• BUILDING COMMUNITY WITH ONLINE TOOLS PROVIDED BY THE EMPLOYER CAN BE LIMITING, WHAT ARE THE PERCEIVED RESTRICTIONS AND BENEFITS?

The online community tool which provided by the employer is a great way for the employee to use. This platform is internal, practical, and useful. Though, on this platform, employees should be caution for what they say and express, because this is a semi-formal community platform. On the other hand, this could also filter unwanted messages, and only allow professional communications.

• DELIVERING INFORMATION IN A CONNECTED SOCIETY REQUIRES VERIFIABLE RESOURCES, HOW TO BUILD A PLN TO RELY ON?

If we wanted to share information on our PLN, we need to make sure our sources are true and consistent. When we sharing ideas, the best way to make it more reliable is to cite it. When we trying to look for information we want to know online, we also need to be caution on where this idea come from.

• HOW DO THOSE, WHO ARE VETERAN STORYTELLERS, MINIMIZE RISK IN SHARING MISINFORMATION?

The storytellers need to be familiar with his/her resources, it must be true at least. Citing the source is a great idea for tracing the origin. They also need to process their source, and seek coherent on their finished work. When they find an misinformation or bias from other source, they need to differentiate the source, and to delete the misinformation or make it right.