How dead is journalism?
Journalism in American society today is not what it used to be. Most people expect their information instantaneously now and even the president can give the world his thoughts as soon as he has them. Journalists like the Spotlight team and Woodstein have smaller roles than they used to as much news coverage is shaped by bias rather than digging deep and finding facts. The news is changing. Why is this all significant? The news is how we see the world and we should all be on the same page. The right page.
Once upon a time, people got their news exclusively from newspapers, radio, and even verbally. Word of mouth can be a powerful tool for spreading information and opinions alike, just as long as its recipients take it with a grain of salt as it goes along. Newspapers soon became the dominant channel of the news, detailing everything current and newsworthy. Or otherwise.
Radio soon joined the group, offering quick and frequent story updates while listeners went through their normal workday. Newspapers on the other hand would struggle to match the update speed of radio.
After radio announced its way across the globe, TV broadcasts began to span the entire world. This news was not read but heard and even seen. Journalism could truly reach a mass audience and their literacy did not even matter.
In today’s world, however, most people get their news from their magically all-knowing phones the second any news is posted. If they can get it now, people want it now. They tune into the radio less, newspaper sales decline and even TV stations see the effects.
Not only is news faster, but there is more room for error. Bernstein and Woodward were always told to be sure they’re right. But in today’s world writers often click publish before checking the facts. With news so fast, many people will probably walk away from a story with an incomplete (or even false) picture and never come back.
The president doesn’t even require an interview or a reporter with a microphone to share his thoughts. Instead, he has the tool for the job in his pocket.
Nowadays, media networks are constantly being accused of having bias and serving an agenda, no matter who they are.
What is considered newsworthy is another current issue. So many stories today follow inconsequential issues, gossip, or fashion trends. While it’s still okay to have these features, it’s no Watergate. What are journalists today digging up?
The media used to have the trust of the nation. Journalists used to be the ones to expose the truth, to show America what is really going on in and around their own country. Now, many seem unsure who to trust. Can they all be right with such conflicting stories? Who is serving an agenda and who is honest, trustworthy? Who really cares about relaying the news to American citizens instead of serving some political angle?
Journalists can still play an important role in society. Spotlight and Woodstein are two perfect examples of their importance. If not for them, we would still have little or no information about the scandals they covered. The abuse cases from the Catholic Church continue to be revealed and Spotlight is responsible for the general public’s knowledge of such atrocities.
As for Woodward and Bernstein, their efforts likely raised awareness of how deep politicians can get into their own scandals and can serve as an example for the future.
