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As the Digital World Grows and Print Media Collapses, the Integrity of Journalism Suffers
In 2018, a study from the Pew Research Center found that more Americans get their news from social media, primarily Facebook, than they do from traditional print media. This is no surprise, as social platforms such as Instagram and Facebook have over a billion users each, and newspaper sales continue to dramatically decline. Moving journalism and news writing online makes sense, it’s the cheapest and quickest way for media outlets to make money while saving the time and money of their readers. Yet, there are great losses. Moving journalism from print to internet platforms negatively affects the complexity of this genre. Online platforms can be much more distracting and misleading than trusted print publications, as it can be difficult to tell the authenticity of news stories, particularly for readers who do not check their sources or practice online literacy when interpreting online news.
With all of the choices available when it comes to online news stories, readers are able to tailor what news they engage with, which can lead to biases and a lack of perspective. Additionally, internet stories are often much shorter than those published in print publications. Short-form internet stories do not allow room for the full scope of a story, or the complexities of journalism that allow us to connect to issues, current events, and those affected. In a field like journalism, where it seems there is always something more to be discovered, and more to be said, a quick skim of a subject is not enough.
The internet is a place where people can express themselves and practice their freedom of speech in an incredibly accessible way. While at times, this can have positive results, it can often result in the spread of misinformation. The term “fake news” has become such a popular one in our society that many are becoming wary of what they read on the internet. Fifty-seven percent of those from the study noted above say that they expect the news on these platforms to be largely inaccurate. Yet, they still prefer this medium. While it is true that the influx of digital news media has caused many to be more critical of the news they come across on the internet, not everyone practices the same responsibility online, such as checking sources or reading content from reliable media outlets. This is incredibly concerning for those who are new to the digital age of media and technology as a whole. It terrifies me when my grandmother sends me videos on Facebook Messenger. They usually depict a politician she doesn’t like, using choppy edits to formulate a ridiculous sentence or a grainy, warped clip about how the coronavirus isn’t real. She sends them to everyone in my family, and while many of us have tried to explain to her that you can’t believe everything you see on the internet, the videos keep landing in our inboxes. Yet, it’s not only the elderly. People of all ages are prone to getting sucked into juicy internet news whether it’s real or not, such as my friend, who is 23 and insists that I must vote Republican because of the Pizza Gate conspiracy. The internet is a place where individuals, such as the followers of QAnon, can spread dishonest news that can be incredibly dangerous for those who choose to believe it.
It’s no surprise that online movements like QAnon have such a large following, one that is only growing, despite the fact that their claims have been proven inaccurate. With the freedom of the internet, users can choose both what to read and what perspective they’re getting. As internet users, we can filter and tailor the news we receive to fit our own biases, as we can choose what news is delivered to us in a search or a click. This is what leads to web tribes, or those who live in an information bubble, where the only perspective they are receiving is their own. This is a different experience than reading a newspaper or a magazine that is more likely to have multiple perspectives, stories, voices, and angles. It’s the variety of perspectives that makes journalism so important.
Reading about those with other experiences, thoughts, and opinions than one’s own is what allows us to see outside ourselves and to connect with others to make informed decisions about current events.
Journalism is a tool that can help us connect and consider other perspectives when given the space to. Because many online news stories are shorter than those in print, it can be difficult for journalists to dig into the complexities of an issue or to provide multiple perspectives. While this shortened length allows for a quick and convenient read, it affects our ability to truly connect to a story or understand an issue. When internet stories are shortened down to the bare minimum, they give readers a rundown of events or issues without allowing room for journalists to dig into the complexities of a story.
Scanning a short news story cannot resonate with a reader the way a long-form piece of journalism can. Shortened online news stories often read like facts, which can be difficult to connect to as a reader. In many cases, this shortened length is not fair to the subject either. Having a full scope of a story is important to understand the depth of the issue at hand and the perspectives of those involved or affected. We need the storytelling techniques used in journalism to put ourselves in the shoes of others and to understand issues outside the ones we face as individuals.
Luckily, even as the digitalization of news grows in popularity, journalism is not yet dead. Investigative journalism such as Julie K. Brown’s relentless reporting of Jeffery Epstein worked to expose his crimes and allow the victims an opportunity for justice. The recent New York Times piece regarding our President’s potential tax fraud was released at a time our country may need it most. It is comprehensive investigative reporting that allows these stories to be told, for victims to have a voice and for offenders to be held accountable for their actions - these stories allow us to learn the truth. As the printed press risks extinction and the internet keeps growing, it’s hard to be sure that these voices will have a platform to stand out against all the noise of our hyper-connected digital world. Without traditional, deep-digging journalism, we risk suppressing the stories that need to be told.
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