Fake News: Investigating the Public's Trust in Journalism
Not what you're looking for?
Public decline in trust in the news media, especially larger mainstream outlets, has led to various questions regarding the accuracy of what is being reported as well as the intensity of biases and slants in order to explain said decline in trust. While this is a fairly recent phenomenon that is still being understood, considerable work does show that an increase in bias has taken place as well as a marked decline in public trust for the media in favour of independent journalism. It can also be stated that none of these findings necessarily indicate a decline in fact-reporting but nevertheless, they do show a changing landscape where public trust in larger news institutions are dropping in favour of independent outlets and content creators, even when these options lack fact checking and editorial oversight. This presents news challenges for those looking to enter the profession or those looking to adapt to a new environment after having worked within the profession. Here we will examine some of the background on these shifts and a basic overview of the strategies that can be taken for someone looking to adapt to the new landscape.
Purchase this Solution
Solution Summary
As a documented decline of public trust in news reporting and media continues to affect the journalism landscape, questions emerge for those looking to adapt within the field, as well as those studying or looking to make their mark in the profession. Here we briefly examine the nature of the subject and how professionals can navigate themselves against such challenges.
Solution Preview
Over the course of the last decade, and most notably the substantial political shifts in the last five years, public confidence with the media - conventional and independent - has hit tumultuous waters. While it's difficult to pin down, with research and study, an objective decline in the quality of facts being disseminated via the media, it is certainly clear from polling data that the public are losing trust in the quality of news and are more prone to deem it false than ever before in recent history.
Of course, there are some studies that are indicating greater biases emerging within media outlets, such as that from the RAND institute, covering shifts in the last 30 years (RAND, 2019). However, ...
Education
- MA, London Metropolitian University
- BSc, London Metropolitan University & University of Derby
Recent Feedback
- "Hi Leela, I open the file you send to me, some of the arrows do not even connect where it is suppose to be. Yes on the decision is not aligned. If I delete the Yes, it delete every thing on right side. Some of the content in boxes cannot see letters."
- "Thanks a lot!"
- "Thnk you so much"
- "Thank you for your explanation. I'm a little lost with how to format my essay. I'm not sure what should be in a comparative essay's paragraph or the order of the paragraph. I am required to use quotes in my essay and I don't know which ones fit really well with my topic. The translation helps me understand but I'm having trouble identfying important quotes that fit. Also, my instructor just advised that we are required to asses a secondary source about my topic and agree or disagree with it and use it to show understanding of the argument. Can you recommed any sources that would fit well with my topic please? Thank you so much for your help!"
- "WOW Thank yoi!"
Purchase this Solution
Free BrainMass Quizzes
Public Speaking Quiz
Quiz your understanding of public speaking. Learn about the elements of a solid speech.
Introduction to Theatre
This quiz will examine the basic knowledge students have of theatre, including terms, history, and purpose.
Which play is it?
This quiz will give you one of the main ideas of a play. You have to guess which play is being talked about.