Journalism isn't Dying, it's being Reborn

Journalism, by definition, is to empower citizens with information so that they can make the best possible decisions about their lives. Furthermore, a true and professional journalist identifies, verifies, contextualizes, and gives narrative to information for the sake of public awareness. In short, journalism pursues the truth, and the truth will never not be integral.

Why then the meta articles reporting on the death of journalism? Why then the rising mistrust towards journalists in online spaces? Because traditional news media is being disrupted, and because much of the news content circulating social media has more to do with monetization and propaganda than it does with the truth.

To start, journalism is more than securing interviews or meeting print deadlines. As aforementioned, it is the pursuit of truth in service of the public good. This core concept will not be murdered by a disruption in traditional business models. Yes, traditional journalism platforms such as newspapers are going out of style, but factual information doesn’t - and shouldn’t.

As citizens migrate to social media and online news sources, so too does journalism. Unfortunately, this incites financial struggle for online news outlets, who can’t compete with advertising powerhouses such as Facebook and Google. This is less an issue of competing for an audience, and more an issue of securing advertising for finance. Perhaps, news should not be free. Regardless, journalism faces another public crisis: credibility.

According to the PEW Research Centre, 51% of Americans say that they often see inaccurate news online. This data can be generally applied to Canadians in that we share news sources and social media platforms. Point being, journalists and news media are losing the trust of the public.

In his book “Lies, Damn Lies, and Viral Content,” Craig Silverman explains that “rather than acting as a source of accurate information, online media frequently promote misinformation in an attempt to drive traffic and social engagement.” These practices continue because sensationalized or rumour-based content spreads far, fast, and “becomes true for readers simply by virtue of its ubiquity,” (Silverman, p.13, 2015).

Perhaps more concerning is the fact that unverified claims garner far greater traffic than do their corrections or updates, and that because of this trend, less and less news sources bother to follow up on their own stories (Silverman, 2015).

However, it can be argued that click bait, fake news, and speculation-based articles are not journalism at all. In her Ted Talk, veteran reporter Ann Curry states that “journalism is only trustworthy when it dependably offers accurate, verifiable facts - not bias and speculation, and not for ratings, circulation, or clicks.”

In this way, journalism is not dying, but is struggling to stay afloat in a sea of misinformation and monetization. As Ann Curry puts it, “journalism needs a Renaissance,” and in some ways, this rebirth has already begun. Podcasts, subscription-based news sites, episodic documentaries, and even citizen-reporter blogs are all newsworthy additions to modern journalism - so long as they stick to its core values.

To conclude, true journalism is not dying, but it is changing shape. Furthermore, journalism is still relevant and continues to play an integral role in society. Perhaps now more than ever. By debunking false information, journalists can leave a more lasting impression on the public and promote a more critical consumption of news media.

As far as trust goes, consumers need reserve it for actual journalism, and for those dedicated to transparent pursuit of accurate information.