Creativity With Responsibility: The Birth of a Podcaster
This course encouraged me to slow down in a positive way. As someone who thrives on creativity, storytelling, and building engaging content, I entered the class believing I had a solid grasp on communication. However, I didn’t fully appreciate how closely creativity and responsibility are connected, especially in today’s digital landscape. This class reinforced that being a communications professional is not just about creating content that looks or sounds good; it is also about ensuring that what you share with the world is accurate, ethical, and defensible.
The assignment that stood out to me the most was producing my podcast. It allowed me the freedom to be creative while requiring thorough behind the scenes work. Researching copyright law, liability, and ethical standards significantly changed how I view content creation. I realized how easy it is for creators to unintentionally cross legal boundaries, particularly on social media where reposting, remixing, and borrowing content is common. Writing the script forced me to verify every claim and support it with credible sources, ultimately strengthening the episode's credibility.
One of the most valuable topics covered in this course was copyright law and legal risks in digital media. As someone who works with video, photography, and audio, this knowledge deeply impacts my daily work. Understanding fair use, intellectual property, and the rapid spread of misinformation has transformed how I approach content planning and distribution. It’s not just about avoiding legal trouble; it's also about respecting others' work and maintaining trust with my audience.
Ultimately, this course reinforced that communications professionals carry both moral and ethical responsibilities. Accuracy matters. Context matters. Intent alone is not enough. Whether it’s a podcast, a reel, a blog post, or a brand campaign, there is an obligation to research, verify, and communicate honestly. This class sharpened my awareness of those responsibilities and equipped me with tools to navigate potential legal issues before they become significant problems.
While creativity will always be at the core of what I do, this experience reminded me that credibility is what sustains it. Moving forward, everything I create under the MakoCr8s brand will reflect a balance between expression and accountability.
