The legitimacy of online sources

Pearson and Trevisan note in the reading that an issue of credibility hinders the progress of activists using online media platforms. This is because they lack the instant credibility of traditional print and broadcast journalism outlets. This is true but changing and there are a couple of reasons why. More scholastic resources are available online and this the online information database continues to grow. This means online posters can point to or share links that provide credible sources that can defend a position or claim. Another change is the growing idea that media in any form is not credible, which ironically was the result of a targeted online campaign.

In movements like the Pro-Choice movement, it is important that the information is accurate. Science serves as the basis for many counter-arguments to the anti-abortion movement. Science is also the driving force behind efforts to change policy on access to reproductive health services. If the online work is not as "respected" as traditional media it can be difficult to get the efforts noticed by the right lawmakers. This was what the reading's authors have indicates is a new hurdle.

Given the changes in how people view media credibility and the growing resources online, I think this is a hurdle that can be overcome.