Information's Integrity

     The veracity of information is assessed in different ways, depending on the individual, or group receiving the information.  In journalism, a rule of three independent sources prevails in order for information to be considered "verified"--to be worthy of the word "integrity."  When evaluating information dealing with world politics, veracity is assessed on the basis of independence from government.  Evaluating information on the World Wide Web, the type of website on which the information appears is a basis on which integrity is assessed.
     When assessing world politics--global affairs--several questions need to be posed.  First, does the government limit what may be covered.  A cynic might say, "Of course, they do.  What do you expect?"
     I prefer further exploration.  My questions are these.  Does the government have an information ministry?  Does the government have a culture ministry?
     Are there institutions within the government that allow for appeal of limitations imposed on sharing informations?  These institutions do not guarantee the availability of trustworthy information.  But, they do improve the chances.
     What sources of information does the government deem trustworthy, as evidenced by links on their websites? For example, are foreign governments, or foreign press organizations included among the hypertext links on the website?
     Currently, I must confess, I am intoxicated by trying to identify information sources with integrity--websites that represent a wide variety of viewpoints.  I am a long way from being up to date with the content of each of these websites.  Yet, I do believe it is a starting point.
    I am reminded of elementary school grammar lessons.  In the 1960s, the emphasis was on composing a cogent paragraph, which is built upon a topic sentence.  That instruction was given simultaneous with the development of the Internet--the structure upon which the World Wide Web flourishes today.
    We are sloppy in our use of several words--Internet, and the World Wide Web.  The Internet is not the content--the information--we consume online.  Rather, the Internet is the structure that the Department of Defense was instrumental in developing.  In contrast to the Internet, the World Wide Web refers to the free exchange of information globally.  There is a second generation of the World Wide Web.
   Social media is at the heart of the World Wide Web's second generation.  Blogs, wikis, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube are among the examples of social media that are in our midst.  I must confess that I had disdain for social media.  Given time, I recognize that my gut reaction to social media has been rooted in how it is used, rather than at its existence.  My disdain needs to be replaced with discernment.  I think the reverse is true as well.  Social media enthusiasts are called to be discerning.  How may I use social media most responsibly?  Leisure is a responsible use.  I don't mean to cast a dark shadow over social media.  My concern about social media use centers more around uses that violate the character and integrity of any human being, or idea.
     Hopefully, we may choose topic sentences, rather than sound bites.  May we be selective, and deliberate in the information we consume.  May we listen keenly, rather than settle for white noise in our environs.