Our World in 2018

in big data and their use risk making
us, humans, objects rather than
subjects, a reduction into figures
and statistics for whom algorithms
preselect what is healthy, nice and
so much more that exists to make
us attractable and unique. Big
data was the buss word that is to
stay also in 2018 central in further
trends in the media and beyond. As
all innovations throughout history it
carries opportunities and risks that
impact on our living together and the
way we interact. But are journalists
conscient enough of the impact datagathering
has on the way they are
functioning? Do they not stick to
much in their own way into pride and
prejudices on the job?
Some among them do and stay
within their professional bubbles,
it, journalists in their majority, driven
by what is essential for a journalist,
maintain curiosity and openness
to what is happening, reporting
on it while it is happening. They
really are trying to adapt in the fast
changing media environment, as far
as working conditions are permitting
them to take the necessary time to
do so.
As the Responsible Data
Community mentions on its website
https://responsibledata.io : “In one
way or another, all data are shaped
by people and their decisions. How
we treat data, how we think about
what it tells us (or what it doesn’t),
how we choose what to collect and
what not to collect all have impacts
upon people.” This is certainly a
case to be considered by media
companies and even more in 2018
as on 25 May 2018, the General Data
Protection Regulation (GDPR) will
European Union. This regulation was
OUR POLITICAL SOCIETIES
designed with the idea to give control
back to citizens and residents over
their personal data, and to create a
uniform data protection law across
member countries.
Journalists need to consider
how to reinvent the profession in
becoming more and more some kind
of news brokers working in team
with designers, artists, IT specialists
and other creative technicians to
bring people the news, the visuals
and the stories they deserve. It was
part of the discussion AEJ Belgium
organized with Gert-Jan Bogaerts of
Dutch public broadcaster VPRO in
Vilnius on the occasion of the AEJ
congress in Vilnius on big or thick
data, still to be consulted on www.
aej-belgium.eu .
Looking to the future is readiness
to open your mind, “to stand up
of Oasis…
Albert Rivera, the leader of the Spanish ‘Ciudadanos’ (Citizens) party, is framed by microphones pointed at him by reporters
as he addresses the media in Oviedo, Asturias, northern Spain, 20 October 2017.
EPA-EFE/ALBERTO MORANTEE
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