Can ‘public data’ be used freely, or must journalists get consent? This is probably one of the most common topics of debate nowadays with the rise of New Media.
Personally, I think journalists can use it freely with certain things to keep in mind. For instance, social media is a platform where content is readily available for journalists to access, but certain figures take this more seriously than others. For instance, journalists reporting on public figures are usually more cautious about opening themselves up to lawsuits. This is because the public does not need to know the whereabouts of well-known people as it is an invasion of their privacy even IF they are out in places that are not entirely private (e.g. in a restaurant).
On the other hand, if it’s someone random or non-influential, they may not care as much about having their content or picture shared as long as credit is given.
To sum it up, as a journalist, one should be cautious when dealing with “influential” people and celebrities and get their consent. Likewise, if you use pictures or content from social media, be sure to credit them accordingly, even if there is no consent given (in my opinion).
