Journalism Ethics in the era of "Fake News"

Hunter Graffice

hg551416@ohio.edu

Journalism has likely never been under attack more than it is today. The industry is called "fake" by the President of the United States almost daily. Just today, President Trump referred to the New York Times as "phony" and hoped it would be out of business in a few years. That rhetoric spawns the calls from his supporters and others who believe that the media is "fake news" and just a tool for manipulation in the political "game."

Courtesy of YouGov.com

So how do journalists combat such arguments and what ethics do they employ to succeed? Well, there are a few important steps to follow to ensure reporting is the best it can be.

Remain transparent in their reporting and storytelling

The American people have made a strong statement. They want someone who is honest and fair in their reporting. To do this, journalists must remain open about where they are, what they're reporting on and how it benefits their audience. They also should introduce themselves to create a bond between audience and reporter. By introducing themselves, the audience will form a connection that keeps them engaged and allows them to form a level of trust that isn't easily severed by calls of "fake news." Through interviews with hundreds of journalists, editors and news supporters, a study found that audiences want to know where their support is going, how it is helping the publication and what the publication is producing that is important to them.

Deliver the facts and stick to them

Although it's easy for politicians to sling insults at publications, it's almost impossible for them to seem truly credible if the publication is unbiased and factual. A publication needs to report on all sides of an issue and the facts that pertain to it. That way, when someone calls it fake or biased, it's harder for it to gain traction because fact is fact. With the repertoire journalists build with an audience, they will be able to promote stories that are factual and gain credibility because of it. When someone who calls it fake cries out, the journalist is able to state that the facts are the facts and they aren't changed. Almost immediately, the idea of "fake news" seems trivial and ridiculous when contrasted to the facts.

Commit to reporting and stand together

As discussed in Elements of Journalism Chapter 1, the press is essential to democracy. Without it, democracy flounders and is completely destroyed. I firmly believe that despite the attacks from our own government, our democracy will continue to thrive as journalists band together and report on the issues and stories around us. Journalism is a collaborative effort, allowing the industry to communicate and converge and produce incredible stories. A three-year study by Storybench found that journalists work best in team-based newsrooms. If the attacks and tweets are ignored, journalists can continue to focus and report on the issues that are essential to our everyday lives and carry our country forward as we navigate the digital era and the stories that lie ahead.