Journalism has come a long way in the past couple of decades, branching out from typical television news, radio, and newspapers to websites and online platforms. In the vast world of media we live in today, with platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Reddit, and many others, the sources people go to for their daily news have changed drastically, and this change is for the worse.
Some people rely on what they hear through social media; while there are trusted influencers, there can be some discreditable ones also. Often when I come across an influencer telling me of an event, the factual integrity seems to slip away based on other things I’ve heard from trusted news organizations, such as The New York Times and FOX News. Journalists strive to provide trustworthy and factually accurate news for readers, providing constant coverage on everyday events for each generation to tune into—I just don’t see how this can be properly provided by influencers with the intention of gaining popularity over the genuine act of informing the public.
Student journalists are the new voices of the media world, preparing for the future of journalism. I believe that there is a significant importance of mentorship between students and professionals—opportunities to collaborate with and learn from professional reporters provide the chance for student journalists to learn and take home tips and tricks to use for their own stories and practices. Collaboration like this is important for more than just skill improvement; it also gives the chance for aspiring journalists to learn about the constant changes in the evolving world of media.
With the evolution of journalism and media, there is also a slow decline in the number of trustworthy journalists. Journalism provides for constant growth in our society, with the influence and networking involved in being a journalist. The influence of social media turns readers away from forms of news such as broadcasts, websites, and radios, replacing them with a more “practical” way of intaking daily news by watching short snippets rather than hearing the thorough coverage. This is detrimental for the future of journalism—when people tune into what is easy and practical, they increase their chances of losing grasp of reality or truth in the events of the world.
The future of young voices and student journalists like me are working together to overtake the influence of social media and its negative impact on production media. Students can’t do this alone. However, I and other students rely on advisers and professionals to help fill our minds with the education and support needed to create a change for the better future of journalism and media, evolving the world in which we know today to become something even greater.
