With much of social media becoming the “wild, wild west” when it comes to news and information, anyone and everyone can function as a viable news and information source (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images).
The press, so critical to our democratic process, is facing threats on multiple fronts — from the growing influence of social media to the frontal and legal attacks coming from elected officials and others with power.
Facebook, the largest social media platform, has decided to end its fact-checking processes, apparently bowing to political pressure and adopting the practice of X, formerly known as Twitter.
We should all be concerned with the reasons why, and about the potential consequences on the type of information that will pervade and dominate a large portion of the conversation in the public square.
One such consequence, which Facebook acknowledges, is that there will be more “bad stuff” appearing on the platform.
Already characterized by bogus news, misinformation and disinformation, relaxing and eliminating guardrails are bound to make it worse.
What are the implications for the press?
More than ever, traditional news sources — print, online, radio and television — must be emboldened, stronger and willing to embark on sustained and persistent efforts in challenging lies, misinformation and disinformation.
The role of the press since this country’s founding has been clear and critical.
Freedom of the press means the right to report news or circulate opinion without censorship from the government and it is the only profession with guaranteed protections in the U.S. Constitution — a sign of how important it was to the nation’s founders.
A free press is part of the very foundation of how our democratic form of government works because of its importance and influence.
In addition to being a reliable source for informing the public, it also helps keep elected representatives accountable on the public’s behalf.
But for many reasons, the public in recent years has lost trust in the press. One major reason is the apparent conflict of interest seen as a result of corporate or financial interests.
When two major news publications — The Los Angeles Times and The Washington Post, which are owned by billionaires — decided to depart from the long-standing practice of endorsing a presidential candidate in the last election, it highlighted the influence of corporate and financial interests that possible alienation an endorsement could bring.
Those two papers were not the only ones not to endorse a candidate in the 2024 presidential election. There were many others.
Why?
It is a question worth consideration whether you agree with news publications endorsements or not.
Lawsuits by the president-elect against some news publications and other looming threats, implied or spoken, could have a chilling and detrimental effect on some members of the press duly doing their jobs.
Will this put factual, timely and complete coverage of news issues and events at risk?
We are at a tipping point for safeguarding the role of the press, as facts and truth are becoming negotiable commodities.
With much of social media becoming the “wild, wild west” when it comes to news and information, anyone and everyone can function as a viable news and information source.
Efforts to curtail their detrimental effects are being eliminated under the guise of ending censorship and protecting individual freedom of speech.
We are learning more and more about the negative impact social media platforms are having on children and teens. There is even proposed legislation in an attempt to curtail their access and usage.
In the U.S., over half of the adult population, 54%, get their news from social media.
What about the negative effect these platforms are having on the ability to arrive at the best public policy direction and decisions if you are getting your primary information from unreliable sources?
The press, albeit imperfect, needs the public’s support more than ever. That support is needed in the form of increased patronage and financial support.
Many news publications (like this one) are non-profit and depend on donations and philanthropic support along with paid subscriptions to continue to be our eyes and ears and to be able to have the necessary journalists to provide accurate, complete, and timely coverage.
A study by the American Press Institute found that while the public often questions the press and often has issues of trust, it is clear about what it still wants from the press. The majority wants journalists to be accurate, fair to all sides, neutral and provide diverse points of view.
Just as importantly, a majority also say it is extremely or very important for the press to be a watchdog over the powerful.
The press can only fulfill that role if we, the people, ensure that it remains free.