When Journalism Becomes Trolling
Aubaid Ahmad Akhoon / Asian Nama
Part II
Journalism, despite all the challenges, is an integral part of any democratic society. The appearance of new technologies and the ability to spread information instantly via the Internet has indeed made a lot of changes. The fact that people can now get access to any news from the comfort of their home is definitely a positive trend. However, as all things in the world, this process has both positive and negative aspects. The former include such advantages as increased voice for the voiceless, while the latter comprise the loss of professional credibility, ethical decline, and public trust.
The most apparent problem with the current state of journalism is that people who do not have enough professional competence, ethical principles, and proper training can call themselves journalists. A lot of individuals who have no idea about the basics of journalism use social media to spread news as if they are professionals. Undoubtedly, citizen journalism is important, especially during emergencies, but it cannot replace professional journalism.
Journalism is not just about reporting the news; it is about being objective and responsible for all the information that gets disseminated through newspapers, radio, TV, and the Internet. Therefore, it is necessary to double-check all the facts and research before publishing any news or articles. After all, false information can lead to a disaster for the individuals, institutions, and countries involved. It is also important to remember that journalism should not be about being the fastest one to report; it should be about being honest and truthful.
Unfortunately, the race for speed and views has greatly impacted the self-interest of many media outlets, which has resulted in a change in the priorities of journalism. In other words, the primary objective of many news outlets has shifted from serving the public interest to entertaining the audience. Many media outlets are now more interested in making their content go viral than reporting actual news. However, such approaches to journalism have significantly affected the credibility of the news outlets and the trust in journalism in general.
This problem can be observed in many TV debates, where instead of having a dialogue with each other, debaters are trying to shout down their opponents. Moderators, who are supposed to keep order and provide equal conditions for the debaters, encourage the spread of radical opinions and engage in a heated on-air argument with the candidates. Such a strategy may be beneficial for the views of the debate show, but it is not helpful for democracy and public discourse. After all, healthy debates should be about having fair arguments, not trying to humiliate each other.
It is also crucial to remember that journalism should never be confused with entertainment. Even though it is necessary to make news interesting, it should not be prioritized over professionalism. A good journalist should always ask challenging questions, investigate them ethically and thoroughly, and present the information in a way that allows citizens to make reasonable conclusions and form their own opinions. The role of a journalist is to report the news, not to dictate how and what people should think.
Moreover, the problem with the credibility of news outlets and journalists is also exacerbated by the fact that fake news, disinformation, and rumors spread at an unprecedented rate. False information, conspiracy theories, misleading headlines, fake videos, and pictures can go viral at an incredible speed, getting millions of views and likes before they get removed. Such information and rumors can have destructive power, especially during emergencies, war, or social conflicts.
When there is a disaster or a dangerous situation, people look for news to know what is happening and how to behave. Unfortunately, disinformation can lead to panic and even violence. In addition, fake news can damage the reputation of individuals and countries and cause social chaos. Therefore, it is necessary to fight disinformation and ensure that only credible news outlets report the news.
Professional journalists should lead the fight against disinformation by reinforcing the importance of fact-checking, sources, and ethical writing. It is not enough to simply publish any news in order to attract more followers or get more views on social media. It is also important to remember that any journalist who spreads false information and does not fact-check the news before publishing it is not a professional.
The declining credibility of news outlets and journalists also affects the perception of news by the young generation. The majority of young people get their news from social media, where the quality of information is often lower than in newspapers or TV. In addition, young people see many news segments that are not serious at all and do not follow ethical journalistic standards. Therefore, they may perceive such unprofessional conduct as normal and start considering such news as credible information. In other words, the youth may lose their ability to differentiate between credible information and disinformation.
It is crucial for educational institutions, parents, and media outlets to teach young people to be more critical about the news they read or watch. It is important to provide them with tools to check the reliability of the sources and learn how to identify fake news, propaganda, and opinions. An informed and educated society is the best protection against disinformation.
Another threat to the integrity of news outlets and journalists is trolling. Trolling is not about criticizing news or journalists; it is about insulting and abusing people who express their opinion on the Internet. Unfortunately, many trolls are supported by media outlets and social media platforms, which makes them even more dangerous. Trolling is a threat to healthy public discourse because it makes people feel unsafe and not welcome to participate in it. Moreover, many trolls use the Internet to spread fake news and disinformation.
A responsible journalist should fight trolling by being courageous and truthful instead of abusive and disrespectful. In fact, being a good journalist means standing by ethical principles and fighting disinformation. Being critical does not mean being rude or abusive; it means being honest and fair to everyone regardless of their opinions. After all, it is important to remember that trolling is not a sign of a strong opinion; it is a sign of lack of intelligence.
The Responsibility of Every Individual
The eminent philosopher-poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal once said:
“Afraad ke hathon mein hai aqwaam ki taqdeer,
Har fard hai millat ke muqaddar ka sitara.”
The destiny of nations, societies, and countries lies in the hands of individuals. The poet emphasizes that not the governments or rulers but people determine whether a state will prosper or deteriorate. Each member of society is responsible for promoting the wellbeing of his country through honesty, hard work, and integrity. Every individual is a star that makes the sky bright and luminous.
This beautiful couplet has great significance and applicability in journalism. Reporters are also individuals who bear great responsibility. With their reports, they can motivate people, promote social change, and guide the government in making better policies. Journalist writings have the power to influence society; therefore, they should adhere to professional ethics. If reporters neglect their duties and write opinion pieces instead of doing in-depth research, they will fail to contribute to their nation’s development.
Moreover, as stated in this couplet, every person is accountable for building the country. Journalists should recognize their role in history and highlight issues that demand public attention. They should conduct fair and objective reporting without favoritism, corruption, and bias. If individuals do not promote integrity and transparency in their writings, they cannot claim to contribute to their nation’s prosperity.
In conclusion, a country becomes strong not only through honest governance, competent bureaucracy, and efficient judiciary but also through the collective efforts of all its members. Teachers, doctors, engineers, soldiers, ministers, and journalists; everyone plays a role in making the country prosperous. If everyone discharges his duty responsibly, the country will progress and prosper. “As per Allama Iqbal, every individual is a star in his nation’s destiny. If everyone fulfills his responsibility with honesty and integrity, nothing can stop the country from prospering. Journalists also contribute significantly to their nation’s development. They must perform their reports honestly and thoroughly without any prejudice or malice. This way, they can become the guiding stars for their countries.”
In the context of social, political, and economic challenges that society experiences today, it is important to remember the role of journalism in democracy. It is vital for journalists and news outlets to be credible, ethical, and reliable. The public trust in journalists is essential for the functioning of democracy because it ensures that citizens receive accurate information and can form reasonable opinions. Therefore, it is important for the media to focus on restoring their reputation by being more professional and truthful.
The future of journalism depends on its ability to regain public trust, which can only be achieved through professionalism and integrity.
About the Author
Aubaid Ahmad Akhoon is an educator, columnist, motivational speaker, and Associate Editor of Education Quill. He also offers modern home security solutions, including VDP and CCTV systems across Kashmir.
Phone: 9205000010 / 9205000016
Email: akhoon.aubaid@gmail.com
