(Chris McGrath/Getty Images).As both the internet and social media continue to be among the primary sources of information for a large percentage of the population, our news media must assume responsibility and perform more boldly and consistently the role of fact checker and truth-teller.
A recent survey reveals that no single media outlet singularly gains or maintains the public’s attention or trust. That should be cause for grave concern, a clarion call to the news media to self-assess, seize the opportunity to change and improve its role.
Reporting truth and facts should rule the day.
Yes, the public is entitled to know what is occurring no matter where it measures on the true or false spectrum. But should the press report lies, disinformation, misinformation or propaganda without making these distinctions clear to their readers and listeners?
A disclaimer should precede some reportage.
Imagine such a disclaimer: “We are reporting this statement or incident that occurred, but we have investigated and know the content(s) and claim(s) to be false and misleading.”
Wouldn’t the listener or viewer receive the information with a more accurate frame of reference?
There are news analysts and columnists to help us better understand and see different perspectives on what is being reported — true or false. Readers and listeners are free to consult them at will.
Freedom of the press has always played a critical role in sustaining and maintaining a healthy and strong democracy. The First Amendment to the Constitution guarantees that the government cannot control or censor what the press reports.
But more and more, the public is questioning how well the press is carrying out its intended role, asking whether the media can be trusted.
The current state of the news media — justified or not — is causing a growing segment of the public to ask whether they can believe or rely on anything they consume from many news outlets on a daily basis.
We can acknowledge the challenges a news outlet faces in assuming and focusing on a bolder and more primary role of reporting verified facts and truths.
The first could be the staffing and access to resources required to carry out such a role.
The press, as an industry, also needs to re-evaluate its role in light of the growing influence of social media platforms — where content often goes unregulated and unfact-checked, but nonetheless reaches a vast and varied audience.
Congress is beginning to examine the influence of social media on children and youth, and is proposing restrictions on how they will be able to operate.
That is good. But is it enough?
Social media platforms, like the press, must devote time and resources to screen, clarify and debunk lies and avoid whole-cloth fiction that is promulgated.
We only have to look at examples of what can happen when reported lies, conspiracy theories, and misinformation goes viral, taking on a life of their own.
The fabricated report that Haitians in Springfield, Ohio, are eating their neighbors’ cats and dogs is just the latest example of social media and the press needing to make some serious changes.
While the person who posted the lie on social media took it down and apologized, many news outlets continued to give it prominent space as major voices — Donald Trump and J.D. Vance — continued to perpetuate the claim that lacked any factual evidence.
Some media outlets made attempts to challenge or disavow the false claim. Others did not bother or did so tepidly.
What is the public to do?
Look at all the threats, fear, divisiveness and disruptions the lie and perpetuation of the lie by influential voices have wrought for the city of Springfield and its residents.
The effects will likely be felt for some time to come, if not remain in the memory of many residents, and their children, forever.
It may have begun on social media, but the major news media kept it going.
In addition to the impact of social media, there is the subliminal, overt and ever-present pressure to compete for broader audience appeal and higher ratings especially when it comes to television news.
But neither should be the primary goal.
Many news outlets have resorted to primarily reporting on the most dramatic — often and usually the most negative and destructive event of the day: the latest in wars, crime, scandals, and of course weather events, sports and entertainment.
What about all the good, the steady less dramatic things that occur that really keep the majority aspects of our lives functioning and moving forward?
Would ratings drop if news reporting began to devote a good percentage of its regular reportage on a daily basis to those areas that impact the quality of life for all of us?
There are so many areas.
If covered factually and on an ongoing basis, the news reportage would naturally include the whole story — the good, the bad, the dramatic.
A recent study shows some strategies news media can take to regain and improve public trust.
We, the public, also have a role to play in helping the media.
We must become less addicted, less of a junkie, for the latest drama, the latest bad news, reacting before confirming that what we are hearing or seeing has a modicum of facts or truth.
There are enough avenues and options at our fingertips to be entertained.
We, the public, must take the time to become more discerning, more discriminating as consumers of information — consulting different and varied sources for news. We must do our research, rather than being unwitting and gullible believers or followers.
Moving forward, will the press be willing to assume this much needed and most critical role — boldly and consistently — of being the gatherer and disseminator of facts and truths?
It is of no less critical importance today in ensuring our democracy stands.
Even more so.
