Blog Prompt #11

In my opinion, it is not right for the news company to use all means to get hold of interesting topics to write about. It is simply not ethical, it is not right. It is a case of intruding others' privacy, and if they have to use such means to do their job well, it just proves that they are incompetent.

Information stored in one's phone is confidential. The most common thing stored are the messages between 2 people. It involves all kinds, gossips, offensive personal attacks, love letters... And one fine morning, how would you feel drinking your coffee and staring at a news article about your mushy messages to your girlfriend? That is probably something experienced by the victims of "News of the World"'s inappropriate actions. It is embarrassing for both parties of the conversation if the news media hacks into the phones to get the topics to write for the articles in the newspaper. People who know the 2 parties in the phone conversation might have various undesirable reactions to the news articles, especially if the messages involve negative information. Due to the leak of confidential information, conflicts among people might occur, and to make things worse, it was uncalled for. Thus intruding people's privacy would bring about many undesirable disadvantages.

Why does the "News of the World" need to hack citizen's phones just to get topics to write about? Why can't they write about current affairs? This proves that they are incompetent. Other news media companies do not need to hack the phones of the people, yet they can do very well in the market. Just let things be, if there really isn't anything much to write about, don't force it. But then again, I am certain there are. Or is it just that they are trying to be exceptional? Well, trying to be outstanding is a good thing, but hacking others' phones is something which should not be done. It is not the right way to do so. No matter what happens, "News of the World" still should not hack the citizen's phones.

In conclusion, it is not right of "News of the World" to execute such underhand means. I shall state my own opinion. Let's say today the most popular student of the class bought 2 fans for the class, in hope that the class would be able to pay attention in class despite the spoilt ceiling fans. And I personally felt that he was merely showing off, and that he actually did not have the class' interests at heart. Thus I sent a message to my best friend, expressing my unhappiness about that popular student's arrogance. And then the next day it is on the news. Even if my name is not there, the situation sounds all too similar to what happened. And then there would be chaos in the class, I would get into a fight, and all the complications would occur. The information in my phone was personal, it should not have been leaked out. The "News of the world" would then be causing havoc, while enjoying their benefit. They get their articles done while the chaos happens in the city. I was jsut putting myself in the shoes of a citizen over there. Thus the company would be putting their personal gain at the expense of the public's farewell. What if you were the victim? What would you say?