Media Distrust: Causes and Solutions

Amanda Ehrmantraut 
ae513115@ohio.edu

Before reading Chapter 1 of “Elements of Journalism,” I knew nothing of Communist rule in Poland and the way it controlled thoughts and media. People silently protested and refused to take in the government’s messages, and civilians began to create their own “underground press.” 

While our society today is not quite comparable to Communism, some similarities can be seen in the events and issues of both times. Lech Walesa claimed that a new Stalin could not come to power in 1989, because with the rise of computers and technology, information spread too fast. However, subsequent genocides did occur, and they continue to occur to this day.

I’m sure we have all heard the comparisons— according to some, Donald Trump displays eerily similar behaviors to certain known dictators. While he has not yet begun any kind of modern genocide, he has created a loyal following, and this has certainly been helped by social media. 

Though information spreads quicker through social media, seemingly helping to prevent the rise of certain powers, it also helps people who have even vaguely similar ideals to jump on the bandwagon of support, even for leaders that many view as harmful.

This New York Times debate piece sheds some light on why trust in the media may have so drastically declined. Catherine R. Squires argues that black people see the media’s bias toward them, and I think she has a point. Minority children make up 65 percent of all non-family abductions, yet the most recognizable victims’ names are all white children. 

Black youths are painted as thugs in the same scenario that white youths may be praised. Black issues are ignored and activists for black rights are seen as hate groups. Of the three arguments in this piece, I believe Squires’ is the most valid. These issues cause all minority groups to feel marginalized, and even members of the majority are beginning to recognize this and take issue with it.

I believe the greatest issue causing distrust in the media today is the rise of opinionated and biased journalism. As the two major political parties grow more separate and aggressive toward one another, every major media organization has appeared to take a side. It is difficult to find straight facts and form your own opinion— everything has a spin, further blurring the lines for media consumers. Perhaps as a new presidency begins, the parties will grow less divisive, and there will be less persuading from the media and more informing.