Saturday, November 5, 2011

Village Voice Media and Backpage.com

I recently heard about 2 teenage girls who were abducted and sold for sex as a result of an ad placed on backpage.com  You can read about the story here: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/31/business/media/backpagecom-confronts-new-fight-over-online-sex-ads.html

At first I was thrilled that Craig's list dropped their adult advertising section (which I was clueless about anyway) but their loss was actually Village Voice Media's gain because backpage.com picked up where Craig's list dropped off....and reap the monetary benefits.  Ok, Ok, I get the whole free speech/free press idea but who is going to protect the "freedoms" of those who cannot speak up for themselves?  This is of course, namely the young teenage girl whose life is forever altered by this experience!  Why do Jim Larkin, Michael Lacey and Carl (& the Backpage staff) get to speak on their behalf?  So Craig's list did the right thing but did they win?  I do not think any of us win, especially the families who are paying the price for irresponsible journalism and advertising.
Please people, speak up!  I know the guys at Village Voice seem to thrive on this controversy but I still believe, like Katherine Henderson, that the people's voice matters!  I am starting with this blog, will you join me by lifting your voice in protest?

No comments:

Post a Comment

Pivot in Perspective

  Psalm 73 is one of my go-to passages. David is bemoaning his lot in life, reminding God that he has been doing the right thing, but he is...