The Modern Failures of Journalism: A Call for Accountability and Integrity…

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 Creativity and originality—once the hallmarks of compelling journalism—have been replaced by formulaic, sensationalist content designed to provoke rather than inform.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.

 

Host interviewing Iranian President “Israel must be wiped off the map.” The C-SPAN unedited version aired in response: [Iranian President] “I think that Israel government is a fabricated government…the solution is democracy….what we are saying only serves…durable peace…once the views of the people are met…participate in a referendum to decide in their government…”
What is perhaps most troubling is the impact of this disinformation on individuals. People often fail to recognize how deeply they are conditioned by the media they consume. Engaging with those who let television and other outlets dictate their emotional and intellectual responses feels akin to trying to convince someone in denial about their addiction—they can’t see the problem because they’re ensnared in it.

 

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.

Loading

Jason Page