Clickgait: news in the age of social media - Ferris State Torch

In a recent conversation with a family friend, I was told that news today is “all propaganda.” As I assured them that the Torch would most certainly not fall into that category, I wondered what sources this person uses to obtain information. My curiosity only expanded upon finding out that this non-believer of my vocation was a practicing Scientologist.

Passing judgments on other people’s ideologies is not in my job description. Understanding what makes people believe the information that is presented to them, however, is a crucial part of every journalists’ journey through this era of media skepticism.

When writing about things that I believe to be of the utmost importance, such as the COVID-19 vaccine, it is disheartening to think of how many people may disregard the work as “fake news.” Of course, I do not take it personally. To center myself in the greater story of news media would be improper and unethical, so it does nothing to my ego. Instead, it deflates my hope for the future.

My reporting has connected me with several people in the healthcare field who are seeing the effects of this distrust, in both media and science, firsthand. One of the most impactful conversations I have had with a source involved the realization that journalists and public health professionals share the responsibility of protecting the masses during the pandemic. As public informants, it is our professional and moral obligation to spread the truth to everyone who will listen.

I must...



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