Sense Makers

 Casey Browning

Cb591419@ohio.edu

                        https://apps.carleton.edu/voice/?story_id=1682174&issue_id=1680942

In the The Elements of Journalism by Bill Kovach and Tim Rosentiel start with how the need for information stems from the most isolated tribes in Africa to most distant islands in the Pacific. Expressing how humans have a want to learn and arm themselves with information. Even as small children we want to know what is happening around us. From what is the lunch menu is to who won a football game.  All of us clinging to what matters to us in the moment. Information and news matter, but why? Information matters to us because it sets the stage and arranges props for the drama of social and political life. News matters because it is a way for individuals to obtain the this needed information, but in today’s media frenzy news and information is not synonymous. Information is diluted with too much news. News put out so quickly even the outlets itself haven’t had time to interpret it. Kovach and Rosentiel writes about the struggle of a journalist trying to find a balance on what the audience wants to hear, what they need to hear, journalist own interpretation of events, and the pace at which its delivered. We live in a world where everyone has a camera and images are released before context can be. One image or video doesn’t necessarily tell the entire story, and not every audience wants to know the entire story. As before it was the journalists that are the sense makers, now the audience are the ones bearing witness, authenticating, and making sense of it all then releasing it. Much of what people view as news is fountains of rumors, conspiracy theories, and disinformation. Walter Lippmann wrote in Public Opinion a century ago “is that news and truth are not the same thing and must clearly be distinguished”. In today’s world is not easily accomplished. Truth isn't always in the news and the news isn't always the truth. Journalists need to find a way to distinguish themselves from the noise. The world of information will continue to evolve and journalist need to find a way to bring value to this ever changing atmosphere. Credible information or credibility itself is the opportunity for journalism to rally around to create value. To find a way to navigate around false narratives and more importantly be humble enough to admit when incorrect information is relayed. Giving everyone the ability to make sense of it all.