I have made my share of mistakes and misstatements, including in print as a journalist and as a blogger. I do try to be as conservative as I can, though, in refraining from doing so and think those charged with informing others -- particularly those in official and/or professional positions -- should do the same.
On NPR this morning, Weekend Edition Saturday host Scott Simon, in observing that the world didn't come to an end as some religious proselytizer had predicted, listed what he apparently thought were other infamous false claims, including that former Vice President Al Gore had claimed to have invented the Internet.
It might not make any difference, but I sent Scott Simon the following email:
Dear Scott Simon:
I'm shocked that you, of all people, would perpetuate the myth that Al Gore claimed to have invented the Internet. He didn't. He was, however, instrumental in sponsoring legislation that created what Gore called "The Information Superhighway." Here are excerpts from Wikipedia (verified by other sources):
(1) "Of Gore's involvement in the then-developing Internet while in Congress, Internet pioneers Vint Cerf and Bob Kahn have also noted that, 'As far back as the 1970s Congressman Gore promoted the idea of high-speed telecommunications as an engine for both economic growth and the improvement of our educational system. He was the first elected official to grasp the potential of computer communications to have a broader impact than just improving the conduct of science and scholarship [...] the Internet, as we know it today, was not deployed until 1983. When the Internet was still in the early stages of its deployment, Congressman Gore provided intellectual leadership by helping create the vision of the potential benefits of high speed computing and communication. As an example, he sponsored hearings on how advanced technologies might be put to use in areas like coordinating the response of government agencies to natural disasters and other crises.[3]'
24 Jun 1986: Albert Gore introduces S 2594 Supercomputer Network Study Act of 1986 [4]
Kleinrock would later credit both Gore and the Gore Bill as a critical moment in Internet history:
(2) "A second development occurred around this time, namely, then-Senator Al Gore, a strong and knowledgeable proponent of the Internet, promoted legislation that resulted in President George H.W Bush signing the High Performance Computing and Communication Act of 1991. This Act allocated $600 million for high performance computing and for the creation of the National Research and Education Network [13–14]. The NREN brought together industry, academia and government in a joint effort to accelerate the development and deployment of gigabit/sec networking.[8]
The bill was passed on Dec. 9, 1991 and led to the National Information Infrastructure (NII)[9] which Gore referred to as the 'information superhighway'."
(3) Here is Gore's claim: "During my service in the United States Congress, I took the initiative in creating the Internet. I took the initiative in moving forward a whole range of initiatives that have proven to be important to our country's economic growth and environmental protection, improvements in our educational system."[52]
(4) "Former UCLA professor of information studies, Philip E. Agre and journalist Eric Boehlert argued that three articles in Wired News led to the creation of the widely spread urban legend that Gore claimed to have 'invented the Internet,' which followed this interview."[53][54][55]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Gore_and_information_technology
I think you are a journalist, Mr. Simon. As such, your code of ethics includes these words, "...speak the truth." Even if you're not, as a radio -- particularly a National Public Radio (which holds itself to pretty high standards) -- you have a responsibility to inform your listeners, not misinform or perpetuate myths just so you can be snarky. For the sake of NPR's and your own credibility, I think you have an obligation to your listeners to correct the record. Thank you.
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