Elon Musk recently urged X users to become ‘civilian journalists’ to challenge the conventional media powerhouses. This call to arms echoes a movement that gained momentum in the 2016 U.S. election, when Donald Trump famously attacked ‘the media’ for spreading fake news and engaging in political interference. Years of political backlash, shrinking viewership, and growing public distrust have eroded traditional media’s influence. However, in an era increasingly overwhelmed by AI-generated fake news, the media may ironically become our most reliable filter.
We’ve all heard the term “the media.” For many, it conjures images of biased broadcast networks or agenda-driven newspapers. Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign capitalized on this perception, intensifying public skepticism about media objectivity. By the time the COVID-19 pandemic hit, trust in media was at an all-time low. Today, the fallout continues, with subscriptions being canceled and viewership in steady decline.
But here’s the catch: even as traditional media struggles, our dependence on information hasn’t diminished – it’s just shifted.
According to Pew Research Center, 54% of U.S. adults now consume news on social media at least occasionally, with younger generations leading the charge. On average, people spend 2 hours and 23 minutes per day scrolling through platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. What’s more concerning is that false information spreads six times faster than factual news on platforms like Twitter, according to a study from MIT. Yet despite these alarming trends, most people still fail to grasp how much misinformation shapes their worldview.
The problem is simple but dangerous: without a trusted filter, the line between fact and fiction blurs.
Consider this: a journalist is bombarded with press releases, tips, and reports daily. As someone who has worked in PR throughout my career, I can tell you that most journalists are skilled at filtering out the noise and verifying the facts. Their job is not just to report but to scrutinize. This vital process is what distinguishes them from the average “citizen journalist” posting on social media.
Now imagine a world where that filter is gone – where anyone can post anything, unchallenged, and it spreads like wildfire. We’re already seeing it. Misinformation, ranging from Russian soldier videos to baseless celebrity gossip, influences public perception just as much as – or even more than – verified news. A study by the Reuters Institute found that 40% of adults now view social media as their primary news source, yet trust in these platforms is plummeting.
Here’s where ‘the media’ could save us from drowning in disinformation.
I’m not saying the media is flawless or unbiased – far from it. But even in its imperfections, traditional media operates under a framework of accountability, one that civilian journalists on social platforms simply don’t. When you read a newspaper, you know the facts have been checked, even if you detect a hint of bias. Compare that to an unverified Twitter post claiming P-Diddy smuggled children on behalf of Epstein – no contest.
The truth is, we need the media more than ever – not as an unquestioned authority, but as a vital filter in an increasingly chaotic information landscape. The media must recognize that their role isn’t to compete with the speed of social media, but to embrace their responsibility to provide informed, accurate reporting for their readers.
Don’t believe everything you see on the internet. Misinformation is rampant, and without trusted sources, we risk falling prey to false narratives. The media, with all its flaws, still serves as a crucial gatekeeper in this battle for truth.
What do you think? Are we overlooking the role of traditional media as our information filter? Let me know in the comments, and stay tuned for more insights next week.
