Sports Broadcasting "In the Age of AI

 

Blog #4 – Sports Broadcasting - “In the Age of AI: Part 3 – The Future of Work”

If the expert predictions featured in the Frontline documentary, “In the Age of AI,” are any indication, approximately 50% of all jobs will be threatened by AI in the near future. The outlook is grim, as experts predict that there will never again be a thriving middle class in this country. Jobs in the automotive industry have been largely displaced by automation. College students must embrace an ever-changing world and acknowledge that constant evolution is necessary for survival. The dreams that brought me to HPU are still alive today, and I am excited to learn how the combination of sports broadcasting and AI will continue to change the face of entertainment.

There is no escaping the AI revolution. My major, Sports Media, is no exception. According to the Sports Business Journal, AI has already improved backend operations. Journalists who once needed to spend hours a day researching statistics and highlights from the night before can now do so with AI in minutes. AI does not make the same mistakes as humans because it follows predefined patterns that eliminate errors in spelling or statistics before it is deployed for millions to see. The PGA Tour already uses AI in real-time broadcasts, providing supporting analytics on every player's performance. AI can write accurate scripts and edit highlight videos instantly. These operational efficiencies reduce costs, which yields more revenue for the networks. According to Medium, the future of broadcasting is content tailored to individual fans, following the model of streaming services that make recommendations based on viewer preferences. According to Forbes, beginning in 2025, the NFL and teams such as the New England Patriots and the San Francisco 49ers have partnered with NWN and NetApp to personalize the fan experience at stadiums. In the near future, fans will be able to choose their preferred camera angle and follow what is happening on the field during commercial breaks.

My dream of becoming a sports broadcaster began after watching Vince Scully call an LA Dodgers game. The stories he told and the way he brought the game to life were a gift that no AI can replicate. Even as the world changes, people still want that authentic human connection.  Snoop Dogg provided color commentary during the second half at a recent LA Clippers-Golden State Warriors game. His level of knowledge and preparation was obvious, but it was his spontaneity and style that impressed the audience most.

 

 

 

 

 

Online Invasion of Privacy

 Blog #3 Ted Talks – Online Invasion of Privacy 

The most chilling example of invasion of privacy was detailed in Darieth Chisolm's TED Talk. The thought of someone taking intimate photos of her while she was sleeping, then posting them online without her knowledge, let alone her consent, is horrifying. To add insult to injury, finding out that the photos taken are the legal property of the person trying to hurt and humiliate her is hard to comprehend. According to the Drexel University Law Review, under the Copyright Act of 1976, photographers, paparazzi, or whoever takes the pictures own the photographs, and another party cannot use the material without their permission. A law enacted in 1976, in a world without social media, requires updating to protect individual interests in the internet era. What happened to Chisolm could happen to anyone, and the worst thing about this is finding out that the victim has very little protection under the law.

It is no secret that the information people voluntarily share online will be publicly available indefinitely. Juan Enriquez gave a thought-provoking TED Talk comparing the information people post about themselves online to “electronic tattoos”. Now, from the time a baby comes into the world, their photos are out there online, willingly shared by their parents with unknown numbers of people. According to mindowl.org, social media feeds the need for instant gratification through likes and comments by satisfying short-term impulses. Enriquez offered insightful comparisons to Greek mythology, advising that information someone shares today will remain accessible to all, including future romantic partners and employers. Perhaps short-sightedness is a major human behavioral flaw because people already know that everything posted is permanent, yet choose to do it anyway. 

According to a recent USA Today article, Facebook, which changed its name to Meta in 2021, has been fined billions of dollars by the federal government over the years for privacy violations and for sharing members' data with third-party companies. The empire has been built using surveillance capitalism as a business model. Billions of users are fully aware that they live their lives online. They agree to the terms and, for the most part, do not want it to change. Ethical implications aside, Mark Zuckerberg should not be blamed for successfully tapping into a need and becoming one of the richest and most influential people on the planet as a result. If society wants to continue using social media despite the risks to personal privacy, then government involvement is unnecessary. I would venture to guess that, even after the situation Chislom endured, she has not completely stopped using social media. Closing Pandora’s Box is not possible when even my grandmother uses social media daily.

 

 

Eight Values of Free Expression

 The Eight Values of Free Expression are theories that expound on the freedoms of the First Amendment. These freedoms give us the right to express our opinions publicly without government intervention. The theories that interest me the most are the Marketplace of Ideas, Participation in Self-Government, and the Stable Change/Safety Valve.

The Value I Most Connect With:

The concept of the Marketplace of Ideas was ahead of its time. In 1644, English philosopher John Milton pioneered the idea in his text “Areopagitica.” He argued that free speech enables the open exchange of ideas, which is essential to establishing a successful society, and insisted that truth prevails when debated against falsehood. Later, in his 1859 essay “On Liberty,” English writer John Stuart Mill advanced Milton’s theory, arguing that the free flow of ideas is necessary to discover the truth and that allowing diverse perspectives benefits society. In 1919, Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes first applied the theory in legal terms in his dissenting opinion in Abrams v. United States. Holmes argued that market competition should test what is true. To me, the Marketplace of Ideas theory was revolutionary because it emphasized the importance of encouraging diverse thought to find the best ideas. I firmly believe that listening to diverse ideas is an incredibly wise choice.

Additionally, I consider Participation in Self-Government vitally important because free speech creates informed voters. Alexander Meiklejohn advanced the concept by relating it to democratic decision-making. Meiklejohn believed that a successful democracy must allow citizens to openly debate ideas, since open debate forms the foundation of self-government. Even when people express unpopular political opinions, the public needs to hear them. Exposure to different perspectives encourages critical thinking and helps voters make well-informed decisions.

The concept of Stable Change means using the First Amendment to help stabilize societal conflicts. Benedit Spinoza advised that free speech is a safety valve that reduces violence. By allowing citizens to express grievances, individuals have a peaceful way to voice dissatisfaction. This open exchange helps reduce the likelihood that grievances will escalate into violence. Spinoza holds that a government is only stable if it can withstand the collective power of its people and be flexible in responding to what society needs through stable change.

Personal Significance:

The theory of the Marketplace of Ideas is alive and well online, as people can choose to consume new information, stick to what they like, or read about unpopular topics. In a perfect world, the internet allows us to be open to learning other perspectives and to participate in political debates, leading to the well-informed society Meiklejohn intended. I have never lived in a world without social media. From a young age, I was warned that anything posted online is permanent, and it would behoove me to think twice before sharing my opinions because my words may be subject to future scrutiny. Restricting the ideas we allow ourselves to express publicly is in conflict with the Safety Valve concept, as silence can lead to unrest.

Linking the Theories to Modern Day Issues:

Today, the internet and social media are a digital town square where open dialogue is easily accessible to the masses. Interactive forums like Reddit give people the opportunity to discuss limitless topics and ask any question that comes to mind. Elon Musk has become one of the wealthiest people in the world by embracing the values of freedom of speech through his app X, which allows users to post almost anything. The longstanding mantra of the New York Times, “anything that’s fit to print,” has been challenged by its need to serve everyone in an attempt to become the ultimate Marketplace of Ideas. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg rationalizes the hands-off oversight of his empire by often citing the Marketplace of Ideas. Many unknown people have found fame and fortune by using platforms such as TikTok to build their personal brands and reach the masses. The danger is that huge companies can force-feed the audience information that benefits them through algorithms and clickbait, reducing exposure to less popular ideas.

Final Thoughts:

In a society that values freedom of expression, the internet has opened a world of free speech where nothing is forced upon us. The challenge is that the internet is not filled with only the information that we like or what makes us comfortable. Maybe every idea doesn’t need to be in competition with another, and people can just ignore what they don’t like. The fact is, there is no single marketplace because people can go to many places for ideas, which is what the theory is all about.

My Top 5 News Sources

 1.   Sham Charania

As s Sports Media major, I follow sports news very closely. My favorite journalist is Shams Charania because he is usually the first to break major stories, and his work is impeccable. He works for ESPN, primarily covering the NBA, and I follow him on X. He is one of the most trusted names in sports reporting. I would recommend following him because his coverage is accurate and thorough. 

x.com/shamscharania (@ShamsCharania)

2. Adam Schefter 

Another one of my favorite sports journalists is Adam Schefter, who also works for ESPN. As a seasoned industry professional, Schefter has provided unmatched coverage of the NFL since 1990. He is famous for breaking stories as they happen to his millions of followers on social media. I recommend following him on X for his up-to-the-minute injury reports, which are very helpful when setting fantasy football lineups. 

Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) / X

3. ESPN

Since its inception in the late 1970s, the Entertainment and Sports Programming Network (ESPN) has earned the title of being the “worldwide leader in sports”. ESPN is owned by the Disney Corporation and is the longtime trusted leader in sports broadcasting. I have been watching SportsCenter and shows like 30 for 30 for as long as I can remember. The coverage is entertaining because of the well-rounded, insightful stories it covers daily. I would recommend watching ESPN to non-sports lovers, too, for its quick overviews of current sports news.

ESPN - Serving Sports Fans. Anytime. Anywhere.

4. ABC World News Tonight

World News Tonight with David Muir on ABC is the nightly news show that my family has watched my entire life. ABC News has been a foundational part of legacy media. ABC News has the resources to cover stories with unparalleled access. Although I find the coverage left-leaning at times, there is comfort in the familiarity because the show was on every night in my house before sports start. I would recommend World News Tonight with David Muir for those looking for a brief overview of the day's events.
World News Tonight With David Muir - ABC News

5.  Fox News

I started watching Fox News during the lead-up to the 2020 presidential election. I enjoyed getting a different perspective on the issues than those found in more mainstream media outlets such as ABC News. Often touted as the news source of the silent majority, the conservative views of the right-wing base are often insightful and surprising. I would recommend watching Fox News as an accompaniment to mainstream media to get a more well-rounded worldview.

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