The Internet Never Forgets:

Why Every Podcaster and Creator Needs to Have a Code of Ethics

“Once you step into the world of becoming a podcaster, a lot of things change your mind and change how you can move around in those particular spaces. The reason I say this is, do you have some rules and guidelines that you have to follow in terms of content creation, in my opinion? How are you going to be able to express yourself or the subjects that you are going to come into contact with? Why do I say this?

As a podcaster, you will have to ask yourself some rules about what you are going to post and what you are not going to post. Like, you have to ask permission to put people's pictures online in some instances, especially when they're under age.

Sometimes as a business you have to keep information from the public eye because it may not be worth it to give out to share with masses.

There are also some cases where you are a person in your own private capacity. Decide they have a choice to share information or knowledge they possess. To the account holders Four people who follow them Now I’m looking for the influencers or content creators. That makes content for the masses. 

Since the advent of social media, there has been the knee to express your thoughts online. I could go back to when we had Myspace (pre-Gen Z). Everyone wanted to express themselves in some sort of way and get the adults out with it. It was to give out good vibes or make a pitch for something that they are interested in. Now with that, we learned how some things would have consequences and needed to know how to navigate these spaces whereby you just could not put anything out there. 

There were some people who felt like it was pertinent to them to put everything out there or put someone on blast, as they call it. Yet anything you put out there, they say the internet never forgets. And that is true because some of these posts that you put out there will always come to haunt you. Are you chasing clicks or chasing a story? There is an adrenaline rush in making a “viral” post, but you have to feed "the Beast," and it can make or break you, as sometimes your ethics may and can be compromised or even put in jeopardy. 

Have you ever heard about Atlanta's famous FreakNick festival? This used to be one of the major get-togethers before it was banned, and most of the young people went out there and flaunted themselves in Amana, which was very suggestive. Many years later somebody decided it would be a good idea to make a movie out of all the data that was collected and stories that were picked up from that particular time and event. Lawsuits ensued because some of the people had changed their lives from what they had wanted to be at that particular time to what they are currently. And what I mean by this is some people decided to become church-going ladies and gentlemen, husbands, wives,, or famous personalities. If this movie were to shed light on them, it would have detrimental results on their family career or profession. 

Another case was where somebody was asked a question by a famous celebrity regarding a particular piece of clothing that they had; they decided to put the information regarding the conversation out to the masses. Well, you already know how that went. The contract was canceled, and they were never to hear from that celebrity ever again. We understand the excitement of having to share some good news, but sometimes good news is better off kept to two people, especially when it comes to business and people of high profile or if something demands of it. 

So the next time you have some idea in your mind or on paper or something you may see or have an opinion on before you hit that send button, ask yourself one thing: is it worth it? How does it help the society and me? Then finally, what could be the repercussions if this were to go south? I believe if all those three questions are answered positively and it doesn't look like there is going to be any rebuttal or pushback regarding the statement(s) or comment(s) that you have made, then you can go right ahead and Hit that Send Button and hope for the best. But always remember, “The internet never forgets..."

Oh, wait, I'm not done yet. If you are a podcaster, don't forget to add that disclaimer because the words, opinions, and statements you make on your particular podcast might not be aligning with who you are associated with, either by your day job or by organizations you are affiliated with. Therefore, it is pertinent for a podcaster to put out that statement if they feel that one of their topics Is going to affect affiliations and probably the bank account.

Content creation is an incredible vehicle for self-expression, but it requires discipline. Before you put yourself out there, protect your peace, respect others' privacy, and always remember: the internet never forgets.

Disclaimer: I like to think of myself as both smart and a bit lazy! With the help of AI tools, creating my posts has become much easier and more enjoyable. That said, I’ve still done my research and shared my thoughts in my own way. Technology has made it simple to present my ideas clearly, helping you to easily read and understand them without any tricky jargon or expressions.

Sambaza, a Kenyan immigrant, is deeply passionate about podcasting and public speaking. As he delves into the art of podcasting and explores its many facets, he draws on his experiences as a diasporan and Pan-Africanist to create unique content. His dedication has earned him three nominations for Diasporan Podcaster of the Year among others. Additionally, Sambaza actively collaborates with other podcasters and collectives, continuously enhancing his skills as a creator.