Weekly news article

Why Facebook is public enemy number one for newspapers, and journalism

This article discusses how Facebook's algorithms narrows users’ news agenda by advising (or “telling”) us what to read through the 'trending topics' feature . These choices are made by algorithms, which can monitor users’ interests and then “feed” them what it believes they wish to read while filtering out material they are supposed not to want. This system therefore creates an “echo chamber” or “filter bubble” effect. The article also mentions how users “willingly pour endless personal information about themselves into Facebook” and that enables the site “to sell targeted advertising around them.” This creates greater competition with other news sources as people would inevitably prefer to stay on Facebook as it is tailor suited for them. It becomes difficult to secure enough digital ad revenue to fund journalism for others. Users of Facebook would rarely come in contact with material offering a different perspective, which isn't necessarily a good thing

• According to a Pew Research Center study released in May, 66% of Facebook users get news through the site

Personally, I believe that the trending topics feature and the idea of tailored news can be a positive thing as these algorithms make it easier for one to read news that they enjoy. However, this also blocks out alternative views, which I believe we all need to read every once in a while, and these algorithms may also block out news that may be important. The fact that 66% of users get their news through the site is quite alarming as Facebook isn't part of the gatekeepers of journalism.

Senior News of the World staff 'misled' Parliament over phone-hacking, committee finds

This article discusses how News of the World executives deliberately misled Parliament in their investigations following the phone hacking scandal. Mr Myler misled the Culture Comittee when giving evidence as a witness back in 2011 by answering questions falsely about his knowledge of other News of the World employees being involved in phone-hacking

• Allegations that News International journalists were involved in hacking people's phones for information led to the closure of the newspaper and a trial costing reportedly up to £100m
• The News of the World was closed down in 2011 after 168 years of running

Personally, I think the fact that senior staff had mislead Parliament over the phone-hacking scandal is quite immoral and offending to those who were affected by the phone-hackings and an act of injustice.