NSW Police have been made aware of a Facebook page that has allegedly made disturbing death threats against baby-faced singer Jack Vidgen. Telephones don’t stalk children, Social Media doesn’t intimidate them either. People do. Investigate People. Don’t blame the online community tools. Thank the tools – they shine a spotlight on all that is horrid in our society. We cannot heal until we know what is wrong with us and acknowledge and address it. And newspapers are not here to heal us, believe me!
I must see a dozen articles a day trashing social media in traditional media. I usually don’t bother clicking anymore. After all, they are using our activities as “News” and trying to shove it behind a paywall – besides it just upsets me. No matter how often I tell people that Facebook is not just for timewaster, MySpace a Place for Predators or Twitter for tweeting about your lunch, the “myth” persists that social media is a dangerous time waster. And who is responsible for the “social media is party media” approach? Put your hands together and give thanks to traditional media who have no ability to do impartial reporting on a social revolution that is rapidly killing them off.
Tip: if your friends tweet about their breakfast and washing up, get better friends. Twitter can deliver so much more as long as you are discerning and find connections to what interests and educates and entertains you. If you want passive media that is not contextually relevant to your interests and passions, go back to TV, radio and newspapers!
So when I change this AAP article around (below), bear in mind it’s not to denigrate young Jack Vidgen, or to trivialise the issue. Nor is it to assume Facebook is completely without responsibility. I am highlighting on how the “facts” are reported.
Replace FACEBOOK PAGE with TELEPHONE NUMBER
Here goes – replace the social communication tool with another communication tool. In this case Facebook Page as a communication channel vs a Telephone Line. (the original SMH article or read paragraph under this one)
‘Disturbing’ threats against Australia’s Got Talent star
NSW Police have been made aware of a phone number that has allegedly made disturbing death threats against baby-faced singer Jack Vidgen.
The 14-year-old from Manly Vale on Sydney’s Northern Beaches has been tipped as a favourite to win Seven’s Australia’s Got Talent in Tuesday night’s grand final.
In recent days, Vidgen has been the focus of criticism over a song he sung on the show, Yes I Am, that he claimed to have written himself. Critics have since claimed he wrote the song with the assistance of others.
While police would release no details of the telephone number in question, it had reportedly contained disturbing death threats against the teenage singer.
It is understood that the telephone number has been reported to Telstra/Optus (telecomms company).
NSW Police said they would launch an investigation once a formal complaint had been made by a member of the Vidgen family.
“Police have been made aware of the Facebook page. However, at this time, we have not received a formal complaint from Jack Vidgen or his family,” said a statement.
“If a complaint is received, police will investigate the matter fully, as we would with any complaint regarding telephones.”
NSW Police said that while there are no specific offences in NSW dealing with telecommunication, charges can be laid against stalkers or those considered to be intimidating or menacing a child, if there is sufficient evidence.
See what happens? It doesn’t make sense. Telephones don’t stalk children, Facebook Pages don’t intimidate them either. People do. Investigate People. It doesn’t matter what tool people use, chase the people. Don’t blame the tools. Thank the social media tools – they shine a spotlight on all that is horrid in our society. We cannot heal until we know. And newspapers are not here to heal, believe me!
‘Disturbing’ threats against Australia’s Got Talent star
NSW Police have been made aware of a Facebook page that has allegedly made disturbing death threats against baby-faced singer Jack Vidgen.
The 14-year-old from Manly Vale on Sydney’s Northern Beaches has been tipped as a favourite to win Seven’s Australia’s Got Talent in Tuesday night’s grand final.
In recent days, Vidgen has been the focus of criticism over a song he sung on the show, Yes I Am, that he claimed to have written himself. Critics have since claimed he wrote the song with the assistance of others.
While police would release no details of the Facebook page in question, it had reportedly contained disturbing death threats against the teenage singer.
It is understood that the page has been reported to Facebook.
NSW Police said they would launch an investigation once a formal complaint had been made by a member of the Vidgen family.
“Police have been made aware of the Facebook page. However, at this time, we have not received a formal complaint from Jack Vidgen or his family,” said a statement.
“If a complaint is received, police will investigate the matter fully, as we would with any complaint regarding social media.“
NSW Police said that while there are no specific offences in NSW dealing with social networking, charges can be laid against stalkers or those considered to be intimidating or menacing a child, if there is sufficient evidence.
This will all die down soon – as social media becomes as entrenched as telephones and email. In the meantime, expect more blaming the tools articles from a dying industry.
So my question to you – are Newsapers being idiots and reporting incorrectly because they do not understand that social media or a Facebook Page is not a telephone number? Or does The Press understand all too well that Facebook and Twitter are just tools but want to continue brain washing Australians into believing that Facebook and Social Media are responsible for societies ills? what say you?
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