Have you ever wondered why it seems like journalists or news anchors today arenβt asking the important questions? With big elections happening worldwide, like in India and the USA, where the media has a massive impact on peopleβs opinions, they must be asking the tough stuff, right?
You know, sometimes when I watch the news, it feels like theyβre not really asking the questions we want answers to. Maybe journalism schools have changed? Maybe deadlines are tighter than ever? Who knows. But what I do know is that good journalism is about more than just reporting.
Itβs about asking the questions that make us think critically, and that give us a well-rounded picture of whatβs going on. Itβs about holding those in power accountable. This is what we were taught in school, remember?
I had a chat with my uncle, whoβs been a journalist for over 20 years (heβs retired now), and he shared some insights that got me thinking.
He said, βBack in my day, we told the whole story β who, what, why, when, where, and how! These days, I donβt even know if theyβre asking questions anymore! Itβs like theyβre missing the point of their job.β
My uncle has a point. Sometimes, it feels like news stories are press releases all dressed up. We get the basic facts, but thereβs no follow-up, no challenging perspectives. Itβs like watching a tennis match where one player just lobs the ball over the net, and the other lets it plop without a fight.
In countries like India and the USA, where big elections can change everything, the news plays a huge role. But lately, it feels like the media cares more about getting high ratings and making money than telling us whatβs really going on. And I donβt think Iβm the only one noticing this, you mustβve too.
Iβve noticed this trend for a while now, and itβs made me lose trust in a lot of news channels. Iβve even stopped tuning in to news channels for about three years now. I just donβt feel like I can trust them anymore, especially with all the political drama going on. Instead of just taking their word for it, I find myself checking multiple sources to make sure Iβm getting the full picture.
I know not all of them are like that, some are genuine too. Itβs just theyβre losing the trust they had once.
But the question is β
Well, one reason could be that big companies own most of the media outlets these days. They care more about profits than real journalism, so they might avoid talking about controversial stuff or only show one side of the story. As a result, thereβs pressure to prioritize stories that attract viewership or readership, often at the expense of substantive journalism.
And then thereβs social media, which has made everything even more confusing. Fake news spreads like wildfire online, making it hard to know who or what to believe. Social media algorithms prioritize engagement over accuracy. In such an environment, distinguishing fact from fiction becomes increasingly challenging.
There might also be cultural shifts and changing patterns of news consumption, particularly among younger generations. Theyβre more interested towards senseless, more visual and entertainment-oriented formats.
News is constantly evolving, and thereβs a demand for instantaneous updates. This pressure to churn out content quickly can lead to superficial reporting and a focus on sensationalism rather than depth and analysis. Clickbait headlines and provocative soundbites are favored over nuanced exploration of complex issues.
The press was to serve the governed, not the governors.
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black
And letβs not forget the dangers of political influence on mainstream media. As the world becomes more polarized, media outlets might also be increasingly aligning themselves with either left or right-wing ideologies.
In some cases, media organizations may be directly owned or controlled by political figures or corporations with vested interests.
But perhaps the most alarming consequence of media manipulation is the threat to democracy itself. History is filled with examples of nations descending into dictatorship when the media fails to serve as a check on government power.
However, we all must agree that there are still plenty of journalists out there who are holding powerful people accountable. We can also be more critical viewers. If an interview feels soft, we can always do our own research to get a more complete picture.
So, hereβs to the journalists out there who are still out there asking the tough ones! And to the rest, letβs remember the golden rule of a good story: who, what, why, when, where, and HOW? Because honestly, how can we expect to understand the world around us if we donβt get the whole story?
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Well said... ππΎ
The grip of politics tightens around mainstream media... Hence, the truth struggles to reach the hearts of the people.
It's unfortunate how politics can sometimes suffocate the truth in mainstream media. Thanks for sharing your thoughts Vanya.
True
Who, what, when, where, why, and how - traditionally, that's what the news was all about. Not anymore.
Exactly, these golden Ws were the foundation of news, weren't they? Sadly, it doesn't apply anymore. Feels like sometimes soundbites & Propaganda take centre stage these days.
I think our governments put media bans out so we don't get the 'real' stories - and most people just plod on blindly; accepting their fate?
You're totally right, Carol. It's definitely frustrating when governments impose media bans, leaving us in the dark. That's why it's crucial to seek out diverse sources of information and question what we're being told.
ππΎ
Your uncle spitting the fact. I remember it was during a big election cycle and instead of hard-hitting questions, it felt like I was watching a scripted reality show. This is happening everywhere. And yeah, the trust thing, I feel you.
It really does feel like a reality show sometimes. Glad I'm not the only one feeling the trust gap with journalism these days. I still sometimes have these talks with my uncle. And if possible I'm gonna bring him here on this platform to share his views too.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Renan π
Also in Italy, the control of politics over the mainstream media is increasingly evident
Therefore, the truth struggles to come out
It's really eye-opening to see this issue happening in so many places. Itβs tough when politics gets such a tight grip on the media.
I agree: it's so tragic and dangerous!
Yes, unfortunately :-(
This is a valuable article to ponder. As a writer now acknowledged as 'A story Teller" Many years ago when I worked on a City Newspaper for 8 years. Though only as copy girl and precis writer when I was offered the Cadetship to become the Journalist I had always longed to be ,,,,,,,,I could not accept.
I saw the gradual change back then from a paper whose ethics demanded that their stories broadcast and released to the public were TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH.
I still remember a dear friend who lost his job when he was told he had to CHANGE his story.
It was no longer acceptable to a rising politician and his friendship with the Police Commissioner. Corruption and collusion took years to uncover because even in the early 80's monied interests began to affect media world-wide. Today I believe it is an ethic that decrees that nothing should get in the way of a GOOD STORY. Fiction and TRUTH have become blurred outlines.
Thanks for sharing your experience, Faye. It's really interesting to hear about your time in the newsroom and how things started to change even back then. It's a shame that the line between fiction and truth has become so blurred. Maybe that's where those tough questions come in.
These days "being first" with a story is more important than being accurate. I miss the days when journalists had the time and resources to really dig deep. We can only keep up the fight for real journalism.
An interesting read. I think it also has to do with social media, journalists are more interested in going viral rather than asking hard hitting questions.
Absolutely Pooja, that can be other reason. The influence of social media is huge. It's definitely something worth thinking more about.
Thought provoking blog post Ritish. I agree that in the 21st century, people no longer ask questions especially professionals such as Journalists.
The role of journalist, it is to create a series of questions and then share the answers with publications such as Times and for example in New York, The New Your Times that has articles written by Journalists.
Also, I believe social media and technology has changed the way the media stream works. People believe everything they see on social media without even finding if it is true or not. However, each person is entitled to opinions. I mean we have podcasts these days so the changes are inevitable π―π
Youβve hit on some really important points, Mthobisi. The way technology and social media have reshaped journalism is huge, and itβs true that people often take what they see online at face value. Podcasts are a great example of new media shaping our conversations.
Thanks for your thoughtful comment π
Iβve noticed this too.
Well, it's so common these days now.
Great post! I don't want to sound like a conspiracy theorist, but when considering what governments (paid by our taxes) have used to experiment on their own countrymen and others abroad, I don't discount anything. There are CIA in the news outlets as per my reading and listening (sometimes their guest speakers as stated as being former CIA something rathers) Psyops anyone? You nailed it, what are they really asking and not asking, and why or why not?π€ I bet it is interesting having a retired journalist in the family.
Welp! This idea of psyops and former CIA operatives might be a thing and raises important questions about transparency and trust in the news we consume. And you're definitely right Dawn, having a retired journalist in the family has shown me how much the industry has changed over the years. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Ritish, a great post and you are asking all the right questions! π Current affairs has always been one of my major interests and I was a journalist for a while. I despair of the reporters today and like you, have also stopped watching the TV news (I never thought that would happen!). It is frightening how little proper investigative journalism there is and also how news channels / papers are 'dumbing down' the reports! Without knowledge the general public are unable to make decisions about their future. You've probably seen the UK has elections on the 4th July and already the news is all about the importance of social media and the spending by the parties on these platforms!
It's always great to hear from someone who shares a passion for current affairs and has firsthand experience in journalism. And yeah,, I'm pretty sure people have noticed this on social media, especially during upcoming UK elections and I think that's the case with every other country. It's really concerning to think about. Social media has such a huge impact on people's decisions and parties take too much advantage of it.
NICE post πππ
Blessed and Happy afternoon π πγοΈπ
Greetings π§‘πͺπΈ
Thanks for reading, Pk.
What a great topic and post, Ritish. The who, what, when, where, how, and why jumped out at me. It's not like that anymore, and I'm afraid social media is a big factor too. The election in the U.S. is one that we've never seen before. Watching the news is past tense, but we are keeping up with the election until the outcome is revealed.
Youβre so right, itβs just not the same anymore, and social media has definitely changed the way we get our news. The U.S. election is definitely something else this time around.
Such a great post, Ritish and you are so right. Same ole rhetoric and tired out phrases by the sheep that follow. Sometimes I'm scratching my head thinking "wait, am I not seeing something or hearing what I hear"? It's mind boggling. Always appreciate your attention to detail and speaking out. ππΌπ
I totally get what you meanβsometimes it feels like we're in a loop of the same old lines and narratives. Thanks for the kind words ππΌ