Welcome to the Communication section in Libguides!
Libraries play a critical role in delivering unbiased, reliable, objective, and credible information that researchers can use.
The digital age brings people much closer to information than it was possible any time before. Computers, hand-held devices, and broadband connections make it very easy and quick to access information on the Internet. Newscasts are delivered also via TV, radio, and satellite radio on a continuous basis. Individuals, corporations, government agencies, and various other groups follow the news on events impacting their lives and operations; based on the news delivered, they make decisions on purchases, travel routes, policies, strategies, and everyday routines accordingly.
News have, therefore, become a commodity, and in this context, people typically are either the producers or consumers. It is also a niche-driven market, and news are produced with specific target populations in mind, based on social and political affiliations, consumer interests, and geographical location. News are also evaluated based on their reliability, credibility, and the accountability of their producers. While the sources are under strict control by the news agencies releasing information on TV, radio, and the papers, this is not entirely true on the World Wide Web where individuals can post information without editorial scrutiny or peer review. Access to the Internet varies from one society to the next; in some cases, individuals are free to post on the Web and contribute to open discussions via blogs, twitter, and other venues, but we know of cases where access to such opportunities are curtailed by governments or the mere availability of the Internet.
In societies where it is possible to publish on the Web without fear of punishment, there is still a concern about quality, reliability, objectivity, and credibility as political, social, and cultural agendas can easily add bias to reporting. This is common during election seasons, public debates, and other events where opinions can be easily affected by calculated representations. Hence, research skills are becoming critical, and it is very important to develop the necessary analytical skills to evaluate reports.
Note: No resource in this guide was selected with any political or cultural agenda.
This is where your faculty and the libraries come in: to support the development of solid, reliable methods for analysis and reporting. Explore this guide to find information for your research paper, speech, or lecture, and contact me for additional assistance.
From time to time, new resources become available on the Web. This box presents a link to resources featured in the news:
Politwoops - Deleted tweets from politicians
