To the Point
News Media Hacking and the Case for Cybersecurity
Hackers have broken into major media. Last week's false message on the AP Twitter account roiled financial markets. In Washington, the heat is on for new cybersecurity laws.
By Warren Olney • • 51m ListenHackers have broken into major news organizations, and last week a false message on the Associated Press Twitter account roiled the financial markets. In Washington, the heat is on for new cybersecurity laws. Can Internet users be protected without violations of privacy? Do they first need to protect themselves with skepticism about the accuracy of "instant news?" Also, Syria's Prime Minister survives an assassination attempt, and for the first time, an active male professional athlete comes out of the closet.
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In this episode
3 storiesSyrian Prime Minister Survives Assassination Attempt
The Syrian state media report that Prime Minister Wael al-Halqi has survived a bomb attack against his convoy in the capital of Damascus. There are unconfirmed reports that his bodyguard and others were killed by what is said to have been a car bomb. Patrick McDonnell is in Beirut, Lebanon for the Los Angeles Times .
Read the story8 minNews Media Hacking and the Case for Cybersecurity
When the Associated Press falsely tweeted that bombs at the White House had injured President Obama, Wall Street indexes lost billions in value. NPR, the BBC, 60 Minutes and Reuters have also been hacked, and the best advice for Internet users may be don't believe anything the first time you read it.
Read the story35 minNBA's Jason Collins Comes Out as Gay
Jason Collins is a 12-year veteran of the NBA. This season he played with the Washington Wizards. In this week's issue of Sports Illustrated , he's become the first active, male professional athlete to reveal that he's gay. "I'm a 34-year old NBA center. I'm black. And I'm gay."
Read the story9 min
