Is Journalism digging its own grave?

The profession of journalist is one of the most ‘dangerous in the world’ according to the United Nations, but lands the 2nd spot on Britain’s least trusted, after politicians. Low pay, unpredictable hours, frequent deadlines and intense work are some of the integral parts of the job and some of the least attractive - which doesn’t explain why the industry is still so competitive.

Objectively speaking the journalist is a truth seeking role, preparing information for broadcast for consumption from the general population. The definition is clear enough: yet there are plenty of instances of people feeling violated by the press intrusion and harassment, bias and unethical practices. It’s incredibly problematic that the trust in journalists and reporters is so low when it should be at its peak, and that so many are taking the role of broadcaster into their own hands on social media.

New media laws and ethics are challenging to adapt to, spinning the moral compass of many in the industry out of control due to the rapid pace of media change. It’s inexcusable to have a lack of knowledge on a topic when the entirety of humanity has a wealth of instantaneous knowledge a browser search away, and humiliating frequently having untrained members of the public investigate and pull apart articles on the public stage of Twitter.

The space between celebrity and fan is no less than a comment section away. Previously celebrities were inaccessible, only viewed within the mass media lens and the relationship being exclusively parasocial. There is little control over public perception anymore when any person can photograph anyone with accessible technology, 75% of the population owning a smartphone able to do so. What a public figure posts on social media about themselves is consensual whereas probing them and capitalising on their omission or out of context statements can shatter their identity.

Having witnessed the grave mistakes and practices of my peers and journalists before me has made me question my role in the industry. I’ve always challenged the status quo and wanted to dedicate my career to helping people, and I assumed writing on issues at the nation’s heart and maybe one day lobbying for change would satisfy this need. The lack of diversity for the voices we are supposed to represent should be imperative in changing - top down. 94% of the industry is white and 86% university educated, 0.4% of British journalists are Muslim, despite Islam being the second biggest religion in the UK. It’s little wonder that misogyny, xenophobia and racism are rife if the media is still subconsciously promoting these ideas through their own unchallenged lenses. It’s about time the industry reflected those it represents.

As a trainee in my second year of my degree I’ve seriously considered discontinuing the course at points as I refuse to contribute to suffering or spread disinformation. I’ve come to the crossroads of deciding to transfer my skills into different industries, or push back harder for change I need to see in the media and the world.

I’ll never be able to forgive myself if I see the same recycled practices when I open the paper over breakfast in decades to come knowing I could have tried, and I let the minority bad apples dictate my life path. It’s easy for me to criticise, I’ve had little newsroom experience and I have a lot to learn, but as the new generation rises with more disdain than the previous to my career it’s becoming harder to keep quiet. The problem is internal but must be addressed before the last shreds of hope and trust in journalists are left in tatters.