In today's world, many people feel distrust towards traditional media, and this distrust comes from various reasons. One reason is the perceived bias and influence from corporate interests, political affiliations, or advertisers. This leads to skepticism about the objectivity of news organizations, as many believe they provide information shaped by these influences rather than impartial content. Additionally, media outlets have been criticized for sensationalism and clickbait, prioritizing entertainment over serious issues for profit, which further reduces trust. The rise of "fake news" and misinformation through social media also contributes to this distrust, making people think that traditional media might be as unreliable as unverified information from social networks. Furthermore, with increasing political polarization, many find it hard to trust the fact-checking done by mainstream media, as different political sides accuse the media of bias, creating a cycle of distrust.
Another important concept is the Hawthorne Effect, which means people change their behavior when they know they are being observed. In media, this suggests that traditional outlets might alter their coverage due to audience expectations and skepticism. This can result in sensationalized stories or biased content because the media feels pressured to attract viewership. This leads to a situation where audience mistrust grows, as the media appears to act in self-interest, reinforcing the perception of bias.
Citizen journalism is often seen as a solution to the issues present in traditional media. It involves news reporting by non-professionals, usually through personal experiences or social media. Citizen journalists are often viewed as being more authentic and less influenced by corporate interests, as they are not bound by the same pressures as traditional media outlets. People tend to trust citizen journalism because it seems more grassroots and accountable, often sharing stories that mainstream media may ignore.
Recent examples from the past five years illustrate the relationship between traditional media and citizen journalism and how trust issues play out. During the 2019 Hong Kong protests, traditional media struggled to cover the situation adequately due to censorship and bias from the government. In contrast, citizen journalists provided real-time updates through social media, gaining trust from the public as they shared unfiltered coverage of events that mainstream media failed to capture accurately.
The COVID-19 pandemic saw a rapid spread of misinformation, with traditional media sometimes sensationalizing events and not fully establishing all facts. In contrast, independent journalists often provided a clearer view, sharing nuanced perspectives that called out biases inherent in mainstream reporting. These independent voices played a crucial role in conveying the truth without corporate influence or sensationalism.
The Black Lives Matter protests that arose in 2020 also highlighted the differences between traditional and citizen journalism. Traditional media was criticized for focusing too much on violence instead of the systemic issues being protested. Meanwhile, citizen journalists captured more diverse narratives from the protests, including peaceful demonstrations and the emotional experiences of those involved, thus offering a different story than what traditional media provided.
An earlier case, although just outside the five-year period, involved the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018. Initial media coverage was cautious, avoiding a direct confrontation with the Saudi government. However, independent journalists and investigative organizations later filled in the story gaps, using platforms like Twitter to expose details that mainstream media initially hesitated to share.
In summary, distrust towards traditional media is driven by perceived bias, sensationalism, and corporate influence. The Hawthorne Effect illustrates how this distrust can lead media to alter its reporting, and in turn, citizen journalism has gained prominence as a more authentic alternative. The recent examples demonstrate how citizen journalism offers critical perspectives in situations where traditional media may falter, although it also presents challenges regarding verification and bias.
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