Derek Bowler

Social media has long been a boon to press freedom, allowing journalists from all over the world to make their voices heard, grow an audience, and build trust. But rampant disinformation has increasingly eroded the space for trustworthy information online, multiplying risks for the journalists who help separate fact from fiction. Ahead of World Press Freedom Day, on 3 May, I spoke to UN News's Dominika Tomaszewska-Mortimer about the complicated relationship between social media and free speech.

UK: Poet laureate Simon Armitage publishes elegy for Prince Philip [AUDIO] by Derek Bowler

SPACE: Perseverance captures the sounds of driving on Mars [16 Minutes] by Derek Bowler

SPACE: Perseverance captures the sounds of driving on Mars by Derek Bowler

Mayday call audio released after US Coast Guard interdicts 25 migrants off West Palm Beach [AUDIO] by Derek Bowler

Dinks - And - Donks - Sample by Derek Bowler

Quake - Sol - 173 by Derek Bowler

Quake - Sol - 235 by Derek Bowler

IRGC publishes exchange with British warship during British tanker seizure attempt by Derek Bowler

Courtesy to Dryad Global

Courtesy to Dryad Global

US: Voicemail Trump attorney John Dowd left for Michael Flynn is released by Derek Bowler

911 calls in Jussie Smollett case released by Derek Bowler

Since the advent of social media in the mid 2000s, the use of user-generated content (UGC) by news organisations around the world has dramatically changed the media landscape, with editorial agendas and programme rundowns now strongly featuring eyewitness content. Internationally, media organisations are investing large sums in building units and tools to help discover, verify and distribute such content across their platforms. Media organisations in Ireland, too, have been quick to use UGC as a new source of content. Yet many of these organisations are using such content unethically; without proper verification standards, without permissions from content owners; instead, they often favour a “Fair Use” policy in using the content. Numerous media organisations and outlets in Ireland have used UGC in broadcasts, online and across their social media platforms without permissions from the content owners, and without attribution or courtesy to them. There have also been repeated instances of misattribution and the re-use of unauthorised copies of the original content. The aim of this piece is to highlight the unethical practices of Irish media organisations and how they are knowingly operating outside of both Irish and international copyright law. How the organisations are using this “free content” and their disregard for content ownership, potentially denying revenue for content creators.

A documentary produced and presented by Michael Brophy and Derek Bowler on the political, cultural and educational ties that exist between Hungary and the United States.