Improving Media to Improve the World: A Conversation With Julian Petley, Author of “Media and Public Shaming”

Last week Panacea Video hosted Julian Petley, the second guest in its Expert Series, to discuss some of the important topics of the day related to the media industry (‘Fake news’, viral videos and public shaming). Many of these topics are indeed relevant to the Panacea platform, as Panacea aims to not only help improve upon the existing media structure but it also harnesses these trends and uses them for something positive for society and the world.

Fake News

As one of the world’s top authors and academics in Media, at the beginning of the interview, Professor Petley reminds us that “There’s really nothing new about ‘fake news’….Fake news has been around since newspapers have been around…Even back in the 19th Century, newspapers were sometimes running fake stories just in order to attract readers and advertisers.” He then goes on to explain that new media has been blamed for much of the dissemination of fake information and although true, new media has also played a role in helping to siphon off the lies from the facts.

As mentioned in a previous article, Panacea Video can play a very crucial role in sifting through truth from lies because its the only platform in the world that allows people seen in the news (or viral videos) a place to come speak in and directly address the ‘Court of Public Opinion’. If someone wakes up to see their name and reputation clobbered all across the news, they can immediately enter Panacea Live. They can speak alone, or in a video discussion with people from different locations, such as a moderator and/or other people involved in their conflict. (Example)

Viral Videos from Everyday People

The next part of the interview dives into the growing phenomenon of viral videos taken of everyday people, by everyday people. Professor Petley states that “The real problem is…when perfectly ordinary people who were not famous, suddenly have their lives raked over, and turned over, by the media in one kind or another….So those are the people in my view who really need protection.”

This is a major part of why Panacea Live exists — its a platform for these, often helpless, people who’s lives can spiral out of control after being seen on video. Julian goes on to explain that new media (such as Panacea) offers a place for people to go and “put the record straight” — to “correct falsifications”.

He later adds that “media ownership needs to be dispersed” and that “the media needs be held accountable…not to their shareholders but to the people they’re serving”. This is also a major part of what the Panacea platform offers — a place for victims of media onslaughts and their pitchfork mobs to address their critics directly. The platform also provides a place for every day people to post and promote videos of others engaged in uncivilized acts. It’s a form of decentralized media and reporting that empowers everyone to play a role.

The fact that most people in 2017 have cameras in their smartphones has provided us all with an enormous new power that has yet to be fully understood or captured. More and more often, we’re seeing people across the world using their smartphone cameras as a way to hold others accountable.

On this particular topic, Mr. Petley notes that “You can have quite an interesting debate about whether people should be able to see (certain videos) or shouldn’t be able to see them…and even if you can see them, should you be watching them? Some videos that go viral do a really good job.”

This is indeed an ongoing debate, that began before Panacea Video became incorporated. Viral videos of people being uncivilized will continue to circulate with or without Panacea aggregating these videos. The site provides a much needed addition to the existing media framework. Panacea Live allows people seen in these videos a place to come and speak to the world, directly.

Conclusion

Everyone makes mistakes and the pitchfork mobs online that crucify people for their mistakes isn’t the most effective way for a society to deal with mistakes. People should be able to own their mistakes and learn from them. People should be able to reflect on their own behavior and ask themselves: “Is this right?” “Is this the way I want to be seen by the world?” “Can I make up for any harm I’ve done?” “Should I change my ways?”

Panacea Video offers many new ways to improve upon the existing media system and also provides a place for constructive dialogue. It’s a place to engage with the stories that we see in the news every day and realize that these people are humans and not necessarily the monsters that are depicted in the news. Offering a platform for the world to witness a constructive and honest dialogue should help set a positive example for the world to follow. The power of Panacea’s more humanized interactions will ultimately help in ‘Making The World More Civilized’.

“Honest disagreement is often a good sign of progress.” — Gandhi