Why is Journalism Important? The article seeks to provide insight into a phenomenon that is usually taken for granted.
The world is rapidly changing and, up until this point, we surely can agree that we live in constant motion whilst many moments are carved into History, ultimately defining our future in ways that we not yet understand. But though as much as this was always the way when we look back for a few generations, new threats started to eventually rise against our dignity, our way of life and, ultimately, to our freedom. It’s a time where it’s hard to take things for granted – including news – and where finding exactly where the truth lies seems to require more personal concern and attention than it used to.
Speaking to people clearly and engagingly has always proven crucial to get the right message across. With that in mind, the importance of true journalism can hardly be over-stressed. So, let’s dive right into it and try to understand, Why is journalism important?
The Key Pillars of Journalism
Journalism is set on the search for truth. A truth that should be raw and not biased from perspective, unique – as it should – and, while open to social debate and further analysis from several credentialed fields of society, it should never be approached in a way where it can be weaponized to meet a certain agenda.
Journalism should remain free and ethical, as a source of pure chronic and has a higher responsibility towards people that overlaps any other concept than the one of truth. The main base of it all is to focus on transmitting facts and rich information in a way that it empowers people to make their mind about it.
There are, as mentioned, a few new and old threats that may affect how journalism is conducted and, ultimately, how its relevance and importance in today’s world be undermined.
Fake News
A concept reborn in recent times, fake news has led nations to vote in a certain direction, people to boycott products and support to be raised in favor of conflict. It has divided countries, started wars, created fractures in society.
Fake news has spread “facts” that weren’t so and took over relevant time and coverage that could surely have been put to better use for matters that are true of interest. It’s hard to define exactly where and when fake news has started to erupt, but it surely is one of the main subjects of our time and, perhaps, one of the greatest threats to true journalism.
With sources abounding from uncontrolled means such as social media and the need to quickly replicate any impacting event, it’s easy to spread “news”, ideas, claims and political messages that have no confirmed background. The importance of journalism lies in doing that job right from the start by checking sources and facts before jumping into a conclusion.
Social Media
Social media provides as much a threat as an opportunity. Admitting that the way people consume news has changed over time, many of us rely on social media sources as a way of keeping informed. With a multitude of channels and origins, it’s sometimes hard to find true independent journalism that is focused on the real issues rather than the economics of its titles, click bait and selling people what they want instead of what they need.
We all know that, combined, Facebook and Twitter can have a decisive impact on public opinion. And only by ensuring that true journalism makes that same transition in strength into social media can we expect it to keep making the positive impact it needs to.
Journalism Isn’t Only About Transmitting Facts
It’s doing so in a manner that can empower people to make the right decisions, take the right conclusions and voice their opinion in a way that is both constructive and defining not only for themselves but for society as a whole. By setting right and wrong apart, journalism can deliver the moral grounds for society to be built on a fairer perspective, adopt measures that are more inclusive and defend values that are both noble and human.
If journalism is able enough to steer away from all the pressures and challenges that it faces, it may just deliver its promise of making the world a better place.
Poor and For-Profit Journalism
The effects of poor journalism and populist writing are far too negative and reflect poorly on the opinion the public holds of journalism as a whole. With an ever-growing search for profit along with the monetization of every single aspect of media, the line is an ever-thinning one between what’s right and what sells. As wrong as it may be, it’s only up to people to define what separates good and bad journalism in the end. And it is only by having true journalism supported by those who believe in it that journalism can tip the scale in favor of those who seek the truth.
Why is Journalism Important? An Executive Summary
Ultimately, journalism remains as a true barrier against the negative tendencies and aspects of society all over the world. Its responsibility in reporting crime and abuse of power is still one of the very few lines that many powerful refrains from crossing. It provides many a unique opportunity for people to embark on a moral analysis that is focused on the state of affairs, and one that is not limited by borders, religion, politics or even local mentality.
Though we may expect true journalism to be impartial and straight to the facts, we also need it to do the ethical job of uncovering what’s wrong in Society at any moment without fear of consequence. And, by failing to do so, we’re shielding behaviors and attitudes that not only can damage the lives of many but also risk the fact that they may just slowly start to become socially acceptable. And, while we are still asking Why is journalism important?, there is hope that some of us will come up with the right answer.
