Start Spreading the Real News

Amanda Sherman

as480920@ohio.edu

The News

In today's world, there are vast ways to communicate the news. We have newspapers, TV, radio, and the internet. In recent years, there has been another platform that has arisen that many people choose to get their news from. That is social media. 

The use of social media has opened many doors for users to communicate with brands, as well as given people a voice and offered awareness for more things. It has also allowed us to get more news. Unfortunately, this has also allowed people to say what they want, when they want. Truth or not!

Image Source: Marite Mendoza

Adequate News Source

There are many who would argue that social media has become an inaccurate news source, and this has frustrated Journalists. An article posted in Northwestern, relayed information about a recent study provided to journalists. In the study, almost 1600 participants completed an online survey about social media.

According to the study completed by Minnesota University, the results were clear. Over 90 percent of the participants said social media's role in delivering the news has resulted in worse news. With79 percent of the participants agreeing that social media has had a mostly negative impact on journalism. Furthermore, 85 percent agreed that social media companies have too much control over the news that people see.

Image Source: Bobbie Foster

The responsibly of Journalists

Whose responsibility is it to make sure better news is being spread? This answer is not so simple. More than ever, it is crucial that journalists remain steadfast on the ethics they follow in their career. Journalist need to make sure they are providing honest, accurate, and fair news. 

This is a good start, but it is not enough to just be ethical when dealing with social media. A journalist must also have an awareness of the impact social media provides and must utilize the reach it has to further get accurate news to the public. In the article that provided information on the study, the ABC News President said that journalists need to help people be smarter on social media. Journalists need to help weed through inaccurate news and get truthful news.

Social Media users share Accountability

Social media users are also responsible. People need to stop sharing inaccurate or misleading information. An article based on social media usage suggested that people focus their attention on the accuracy of the news they are sharing can help improve the quality of news people get. 

Social Media Companies Need to be Better

Yes, it falls on both journalists and social media users to be accurate and responsible in what they spread. However, social media companies need to make sure that they're doing their part to weed out the fake news being shared. There needs to be better protocols and standards in place to ensure the news is factual and not just sharable.

This topic can go on and on. However, in the essence of time, the point made here is that we as a whole need to be more accurate and start spreading the news, the real news.

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