In the age of social media, fake news and misinformation are bound to spread. Not too long ago, reports spread across social media that claimed the death of a celebrity. These false claims stayed up for hours, racking hundreds to millions of views on each post before any official news outlet could cover the matter. These instances of “fake news” have been spreading like wildfire since the dawn of the internet, becoming increasingly common as more people start using social media to get their news. Some even argue that traditional Journalism is declining as it becomes more irrelevant in the age of social media. Why should they read a newspaper or an article if they have TikTok at their fingertips? Although Social Media can make it easier, the convenience of your phone should not replace traditional media. Traditional newspapers are crucial for getting reliable news that’s fact-checked, researched, and edited by actual journalists and reporters.
For many people, social media platforms like TikTok or Twitter have become their number one source for global news as individual creators work to bring news to their millions of followers. However, many of these influencers have no real journalism experience or training, which may lead to false reporting because, unlike traditional reporters, these influencers aren’t bound by strict fact-checking practices that could provide their audiences with more accurate information. Alongside the inaccuracies of social media, these influencers also tend to push their personal opinions,
For example, on social media platforms (primarily Twitter), there are many instances in which news accounts spread misinformation, especially during election years, where news accounts may claim election fraud and try to pass it off as verified “news”. Instances like these in the past have caused widespread anger, confusion, and panic, showcasing the consequences misinformation can have, which shows the importance of traditional media sources conducted by professional journalists.
Professional news outlets are much more reliable than Social Media, as news outlets have strict codes that writers must follow in order to maintain factual credibility in their articles. News organisations also hire fact-checkers and editors who ensure factual information regarding global news; this type of fact-checking helps prevent the reckless spread of misinformation that’s commonly seen online.
Additionally, traditional journalism is far superior to anything you can find on Social Media, as one of the most impactful aspects of traditional journalism is investigative journalism, where reporters and writers spend weeks, months, and sometimes even years of research to help write an article. Instances like Watergate and the Panama Papers scandal showcase why traditional journalism is essential, as these examples weren’t exposed by a post on TikTok or YouTube, butwere conducted by experienced journalists who’ve dedicated their time to research and expose political corruption.
Traditional media is also important for democratic societies; the freedom of the press gives countries and their citizens access to unbiased information that can be used to expose political corruption, and many dictatorial governments realize this. In 2022, news reports claimed that Russian police were arresting groups of journalists reporting on the Russian- Ukrainian war. These reports were followed days later by hundreds of Russian influencers on TikTok condemning the Ukrainian government, acting as if they were reciting a script, showcasing the importance of traditional journalists for democratic societies, as without them, media can be manipulated or controlled by governments, showcasing how the freedom of press can help build more democratic societies
Ultimately, Social media has changed the way we consume news. However, there is still an extreme need for traditional journalists and newspapers as they offer higher standards of credibility, investigative pieces, and are essential to a proper democratic society. So, in the future, instead of doom-scrolling on TikTok or Twitter to receive news, it might be best to open a newspaper or get your information from reliable media websites.