Alan Greenblatt is a GOVERNING correspondent.
E-mail: mailbox@governing.comTwitter: @governing
The New Permanent Record
Henry Jenkins, who runs MIT's comparative media studies program, says that the Internet is "the new permanent record." Any jackass behavior you allow your friends to film with their cellphone cameras and upload can and perhaps will be used against you.
He says some job applicants have been turned down after their employers Googled them and found the incriminating goods. Naturally, that's mainly a problem for the young and foolish to worry about. But government workers should beware also.
The Lexington, KY, city council yesterday voted to fire a police officer for inappropriate posts on MySpace, the social networking site. He also apparently showed off to friends a picture on his cell phone of the drivers license of a famous country singer he had busted.
You can read about it on this MySpace page, which notes: "Cops use MySpace too. And get their dumbass selves in trouble with it."
Written and compiled by staff writers and editors, GOVERNING View is an on-the-ground, and sometimes behind-the-scenes, look at the topics we're covering in print and online. From notes on what's up in statehouses, county courthouses and city halls, to encounters with people, places and things, GOVERNING View is a window into the side of state and local government you don't always see.
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