In a world increasingly shaped by social media and citizen journalism, traditional journalism remains essential. With the rise of digital news, people now have access to more information than ever before, but this has also led to the rapid spread of misinformation. In this environment, accurate, reliable, and in-depth reporting is more important than ever.
Journalists are responsible for keeping the truth accurate.
Natalie La Roche, an incoming education reporter for WLRN, emphasizes the importance of this process: “In the world of digital news, misinformation and disinformation spread so easily. That makes traditional journalism even more important because we fact-check. Mistakes happen every now and then, but we have to be certain we understand our sources correctly and critically examine every piece of information before bringing it to the public.”
In a world where misinformation can go viral in an instant, traditional journalism is the safeguard against misleading narratives.
In addition to fact-checking, modern newsrooms also emphasize diversity and inclusion within their reporting.
“You can’t expect everyone in the community to trust you if you are not covering their group as well. Newsrooms need diversity, whether it be racial, ethnic, or even in age, to build trust and tell the stories that truly matter.”
While social media prioritizes speed, the measured, thoughtful approach of traditional journalism offers a reliable source of truth that is essential for a functioning democracy.
“A lie will travel halfway around the world before the truth can put its shoes on. In a world where we’re so used to getting everything so fast, sometimes that slow, meticulous media makes all the difference,” said Fabiana Ungaro, a journalism student at the University of Central Florida.
According to a Gallup poll, only 31% of Americans express a “great deal” or “fair amount” of confidence in the media to report the news “fully, accurately, and fairly.” As a result, journalists are often misunderstood.
“People think journalists are just vultures looking for a story to exploit, but true journalism is about compassion and understanding. We’re not writing about characters; we’re writing about real people whose lives our work affects,” Ungaro says.
In a digital age where news can be increasingly unreliable and inaccurate, traditional journalism remains a pillar of trust and accountability. While it is important to embrace the benefits of new media as tools, we must not forget the foundational role of journalists in providing accurate, diverse, and deeply researched stories that shape our understanding of the world. Journalism matters now more than ever, especially as we navigate a media landscape overwhelmed by misinformation.
