IS THE PROLIFERATION OF ONLLINE (DIS)INFORMATION INDICATIVE OF HOW THOROUGHLY DISCREDITED THE MAINSTREAM NEWS MEDIA HAS BECOME IN OUR POST-TRUTH ENVIRONMENT?

IS THE PROLIFERATION OF ONLLINE (DIS)INFORMATION INDICATIVE OF HOW THOROUGHLY DISCREDITED THE MAINSTREAM NEWS MEDIA HAS BECOME IN OUR POST-TRUTH ENVIRONMENT?

Change is relatively difficult to comprehend. Systems that we have worked with, with time, becomes part of our everyday life. That reminds me of the popular phrase in economics-DIVISION OF LABOUR; where one become so much skillful in his area of expertise in a way that he no more need excessive time to execute his job/duty (that’s not the real definition, though). More so, a change in job schedule becomes almost unappreciated by actors (those involved in the change) in our environment. My argument is that, because the traditional or the mainstream media has operated all alone over time, and it seems difficult to kowtow to the new paradigm shift. 

Let’s then consider the following in short notes in this argument.

1.       Effects of Social Media on the Mainstream Media

2.       Accuracy, fairness, truth and objectivity

3.       Community of interest and

4.       Community of location

Advent of mass communication has been appreciated by almost everyone in the world. On the other hand, this same important aspect of communication pose a threat to the mainstream media, as most people now follow their celebrities such as the current President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the former President, John Dramani Mahama, Yvonne Nelson, etc, on either Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.  This means that the mainstream news media should strategize in order to stay in business or collapse, since audience resort to Facebook, Twitter and others for their news, (though, not always credible or reliable) but do not care about as to whether or not, they are consuming the truth.

The Media, and for that matter journalists, are to ensure accuracy, fairness, truth, and objectivity in their reportage, as per the professional ethics require.  The main news media may not necessarily be blamed in the proliferation of online (dis)information. It is legitimate to argue that the mainstream media has strived to report the truth over the years, although, there are few individual members in the industry, whose reportage seem to tilt toward either political parties to favour them at a given time, it does not mean the whole industry has failed in order to discredit the mainstream news media.

Moreover, civic or citizen journalism is on the increase but not at its best. Community of Interest in the discipline-Community Journalism explains that even individuals without professional background can now Facebook, and twit news based on his own assumption and feeling, without necessarily heeding to matters of the ethics of journalism; truth, accuracy, and objectivity and/or fairness, etc. Media report(s) may concern a particular community, which some of its indigenous members live elsewhere in the world, whose common interest is to see their community roads tarred.

Community Journalism does not solely reside in the confines of Community of Location anymore, but rather what I will term as ‘global journalism’ in the twenty first century. Again, media report(s) may concern a particular community, which some of its indigenous members live elsewhere in the world, whose common interest is to see their community roads tarred and they may, as well, make material and non-material things available in support of it. This means that it has gone beyond traditional community. (Paraphrase of Bill Reads; Community Journalism)

I will conclude that although the issue in question is real, it is not totally correct that the proliferation of online (dis)information indicative of how thoroughly discredited the MAINSTREAM news media has become in our post-truth environment and should not be responsible for it, since the regulator may not single-handedly monitor every single post of individuals. However, the state and its agencies must modernize its mandate, including activities of the Mass Media, to propel the environment for effective and efficient news delivery.

Source: The Future Projects

By: Nyarko Abronomaa Walker

+233 243015920

Follow The Social Commentator @

myfutureprojects.blogspot.com