ProfNets of the Week

by admin ~ July 17, 2009

It’s time again to take a look at some of the strange and interesting queries from ProfNet, a service that sends us journalist queries and calls for sources dozens of times throughout the day. Enjoy!

LAW/TODAY: Textual Harassment: A Problem in the Workplace? — National Law Journal
I am seeking employment attorneys to comment on texting in the workplace, and whether or not employees are sexually harassing employees via text messages. Is this happening? Can employers do anything about it? Are employers increasingly looking at the texts of employees? Contact:XXXXXXX

EDUCATION: Teens and High-Tech Cheating - Freelancer
A recent poll found that 30 percent of teenagers use their cell phones to cheat during class — to look up information on their smartphones, access saved information or text friends questions about the work. For a major teen magazine, we’re looking for high-school academic advisors and guidance counselors to speak to this topic. Do you see this trend in your schools? Do you think your students consider it cheating? Etc. Contact:XXXXXXXXX

NON-EXPERT: Unhappy Camper — New York Times
Parents send their kids off to sleep-away camp and rejoice. They’re free, free for the summer. Off they go to the shore, the mountains, perhaps to Paris. Then the call comes from the camp — Junior is desperately homesick and must come home. Or worse, Junior has misbehaved and is being tossed out. I’m writing a story for the New York Times Styles section about kids who come home unexpectedly early from camp — and the parents who must deal with this turn of events. I’m looking to talk to parents who’ve been faced with this situation. Anonymity is possible. *Please, no off-topic responses or responses offering opinions on the subject matter.* I’m a freelancer. Contact:XXXXXXXX

CONSUMER ISSUES/TODAY: Forced Subscription Renewals — The Daily Journal (IL)
I’m writing a consumer advocate column about a couple in my area who was forced to renew their annual Internet service subscription a month early. But in early June, the Internet service provider blocked their access to get online and demanded they pay $288 to renew their service for next year, even though their subscription wasn’t supposed to end until Aug. 1, and they had paid their bill through the end of July. So I’m seeking insight from anyone who can answer the following questions: 1) Was this an illegal practice made by the Internet service provider? If so, under what specific laws? 2) Why would a company do such a thing? 3) How common is this practice among Internet service providers? What companies are the biggest culprits? 4) What should this couple (or anyone else who experiences this practice) do? 5) Please provide your credentials, where you are based, contact numbers and a head-and-shoulders photo of yourself (if you have one available). ContactXXXXXXXX