As someone who studied journalism in college, it pains me to witness the current state of the industry. Creativity and originality—once the hallmarks of compelling journalism—have been replaced by formulaic, sensationalist content designed to provoke rather than inform. What we now call “yellow journalism” has evolved into a new beast: sensationalism veiled as public relations, where stories are often tailored to serve the interests of specific stakeholders rather than the public good.
The Fairness Doctrine, though flawed in its implementation, was at least an acknowledgment of the need for balance in reporting. Unfortunately, its absence has left a vacuum where bias thrives unchecked. Forcing opposing viewpoints into a single narrative, as the doctrine sometimes did could amplify divisions. However, the principle behind it—ensuring accountability and fostering diverse perspectives—has never been more critical. Imagine a world where everyone had access to unbiased resources like C-SPAN and fewer opportunities to consume the partisan noise that dominates modern media. Such a shift might help bridge divides and foster a collective understanding of political realities.
The lack of accountability in today’s media landscape is particularly alarming. Mainstream outlets frequently perpetuate logical fallacies and, at times outright falsehoods and without consequences. Media should be a beacon of truth, not an engine of deception. Intentional misinformation, especially when motivated by malice erodes public trust and damages society. Take, for instance the infamous “60 Minutes” interview with the Iranian president from almost 15 years ago which received a Grammy award despite being riddled with falsehood of whether the Iranian President said that “Israel should be wiped off the map.” This kind of oversight demands correction, yet it is often swept under the rug leaving the public misled and disillusioned, in this case inspiring support among the public for war justifications.
Journalism should aspire to empower, enlighten and unify. Instead, it often sows confusion and division. The industry must hold itself accountable for its failures and return to its roots of integrity, transparency and service to the truth. Anything less is a betrayal of its purpose and of the public it claims to serve.