The rise of misinformation and phrases such as “Fake News” has led to increasing public distrust of journalistic media. However, the current sociopolitical climate has revealed a greater need for journalism to act as a political watchdog, credible informant on current events, and mobilizer for social change. Engaging the youth in the production and consumption of journalistic media promotes media literacy and creates a platform for tangible civic engagement.
Media Literacy Through Education
Misleading headlines and even outright falsified information can be found across various social media platforms. These works are often created with the intent to confuse or mislead the general public about pertinent issues. Arguably the most notable incident was misinformation on the platform Facebook which many attribute to swaying the result of the 2016 presidential election. While the true impact of “fake news” on the election is up for debate, a 2019 study by Pew Research Center found that 67% of U.S. adults say “made-up news and information causes a great deal of confusion about the basic facts of current issues.”
Learning the journalistic process can help combat the spread of misinformation and promote media literacy. Credible news media runs on a foundation of transparency and a dedication to serving the public. Outlets should strive to produce original reporting in addition to accurately sourcing their information. Another hallmark of trustworthiness is offering corrections on previous works and using clear language that is accessible to a large audience. Truly reliable outlets write in the interest of the public, not serving the government, an institution, or an agenda.
Promoting Leadership
Journalism is the only profession explicitly mentioned in the U.S. Constitution due to the press’ incredible importance in the political process. Journalism provides the public with the tools to form their opinions and make informed choices when engaging in various civic duties, including but not limited to voting. It also mobilizes communities by highlighting issues and emphasizing the humanity in others. Young leaders who pursue a career in journalism are actively informing their communities and inspiring change on a broad scale.
Local journalism programs bring the power of the press to those who have the most vested interest in the development and empowerment of their communities.
Written by Elena Wilson
Sources:
Pew Research Center: Trust in America: Do Americans trust the news media?
The Hill: Caring about the Constitution means caring about the media; by Adam Chiara
NPR: Did Fake News On Facebook Help Elect Trump? Here’s What We Know; by Danielle Kurtzleben
Featured and Top Image Courtesy of Shannon Hauser’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of The Rookie Reporter’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
