Truth is lacking in journalism today, whether written or broadcast. The first tenet of the Code of Ethics for Professional Journalists is “Seek Truth and Report It.” This is being overlooked by journalists nationwide. Rumor, innuendo, distortion and fabrication are being reported as fact. Sources are not clearly identified. Anonymous sourcing is prevalent. Information from questionable sources is often repeated again and again.
As the audience of journalists, we need to be aware of the sourcing of news and give little credence to reports that are substantiated by unverified sources, “anonymous” sources and vague descriptions of sources.
This is how “fake news” gets created and disseminated and how truth is extinguished. It’s a way to damage reputations. It poisons the minds of good people who put their trust in news media.
The public is entitled to as much information as possible to judge the reliability and motivations of sources. Without it we are unable to identify whether reported news is truth or fake news. Truth is verifiable.
We should listen to and read the news with care. We must hold journalists to their ethical standard and not become victims of journalistic brainwashing. Seek the facts, seek the truth.
