When talking about the issue of news nowadays, one thing’s becoming more and more apparent by the day: the quality of mainstream news is in decline. Even the definition of mainstream news is quite unclear; nowadays even so-called “mainstream” newspapers have resorted to publishing tabloid fodder in the hopes of attracting readers and boosting sales. Point-in-case: the recent media overload regarding a certain celebrity’s wedding. And in some cases, newspaper articles seem to have an unbalanced feel to it, in that it somehow feels as if only one side of the story is being told.

I know I want ground-breaking, far-reaching reports, not some rubbish about back-stabbing, bad-mouthing celebrities. I know I want the whole clear truth, not half-baked, biased and unfair ones. In short, I want news that is really newsworthy.

In view of all this, it is easy to blame the business side of newspaper publishing. We blame the newspapers and their investors’ greed for the decline of the quality of news, and we yearn for publishers with a taste for great journalism and a penchant for true-to-life accounts. But the truth is that news has evolved over the years according to the demand of readers. As readers of older generations die, young replacements demand more than pure news; they want amusement and entertainment. And inevitably, the business suits in charge of newspapers would no doubt take advantage of this and phase out “true” journalism with something that passes off as journalism, but is in truth blatant publicity-seeking pieces and surreptitious advertising.

There is always the need for evolution and revolution, true, but not at the expense of “newsworthy” news. There is always the need for a break from the harsh realities of life and to bask in popular pop culture, but not at the expensive of brilliant pieces of journalism that gets people to think, to compel people to focus beyond their own existence. To put it more simply, there should be a balance between “real” news and gossip, between the need for information and the need for entertainment.

On to the issue of credibility, no one likes being taken for a ride and taken for a fool by misleading and inaccurate news reports. Readers are not stupid, however at times it is extremely hard to discern between what is right and what is wrong. In some instances, truths are bent to protect the interests (and bank accounts) of some quarters. Mainstream newspapers shouldn’t be used as a political tool, leave that role to the publications of political parties.

Trustworthy reports are not only credible; they should also be accurate and spot-on. It is here that sadly the business side of newspapers chooses to rear its ugly side again; in the hopes of raking in large amounts of RM, facts have been tweaked, quotes have been misquoted, reality itself has been twisted and distorted. Then there’s simply the incompetence of journalists who just simply can’t be bothered to re-check and double-check their materials.

What these people fail to see however, is that the average person and communities does not like to be misled and misled. Credibility and accuracy foster trust, and surely this will be reflected in higher sales and circulation.

And so, to sum it all up, journalists have a social responsibility to provide readers with newsworthy and trustworthy reports. They are duty-bound to feed the average person with quality and dependable news. It is only then that the yearning for good journalism can ever be satisfied.

6 Comments

by Zalan @ 28 Sep 2006 11:45 pm

And my yearning for a well written article is satisfied through this post "That's my son," says your dad. "More! More!~" says me

by faruqy @ 29 Sep 2006 10:26 am

ala lan x payah aaa nak kutuk aku.. ko lg hebat!

by Zalan @ 03 Oct 2006 08:14 am

But it's true what you said lah. As somebody said, journalism needs the courage of speaking truth to power, of taking the road less traveled, of taking exception to the conventional wisdom.

by L.O.L.A @ 03 Oct 2006 08:56 am

There is also the issue of self-censorship (for the sake of self preservation) and freedom of speech (albeit limited). One person's accurate reporting is another person's media misquote.

by L.O.L.A @ 03 Oct 2006 08:56 am

There is also the issue of self-censorship (for the sake of self preservation) and freedom of speech (albeit limited). One person's accurate reporting is another person's media misquote. Brilliant writing Faruq...

by faruqy @ 03 Oct 2006 10:11 am

lan.. mcm mana aku nak edit article ni? ada typos here and there la..

oh and thanks lola...