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Jul 06, 2023 Features / Columnists, Peeping Tom

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Kaieteur News – One politician once described our journalists as lazy. This was before the advent of social media. That politician may not be all of that off-mark if he were to repeat that accusation today.

By the time you pick up the newspaper in the morning, most of the headline news would have already been known to the public via social media. But this does not in any way make newspaper reporting redundant.

Yesterday’s newspapers, for example, reported that a Minister of the PPP/C government had tendered his resignation. But this news was already streamed on social media since the night before.

So where does this leave newspaper journalists who do not have the luxury of real time reporting? Despite social media platforms being able to deliver news in real time, newspaper journalists have an important role to play in enhancing newspaper news reports and, in so doing, adding value to that which is already reported on social media platforms.

For example, the news reports that the Minister had resigned came late at night. But there could still have been time to obtain comments from someone about the resignation. Many persons have made their views known on this issue and it is doubtful when the news of the Minister’s resignation broke that those persons would have been upset at being roused from their sleep to respond to the news. Imagine waking up the next day to newspapers’ reports not only indicating that the Minister had resigned but also featuring the reactions of various persons to the resignation.

Another way in which newspaper journalists can add value to news is by fact-checking. Journalists are supposed to be the gatekeepers of accuracy. On social media, there is a great deal of fake news. There is also much speculation and rumour. Newspapers can add value by fact-checking the news and becoming a source of credible information for readers. One of the reasons why so many persons still buy newspapers is because they have grown to associate newspaper journalism with seeking the truth of matters and not deliberately pedaling falsehoods.

When social media reports a story, they do not have much time to fact-check certain items. And because social media reports tend to be abbreviated, they are often short on context.

Newspapers also hold the advantage when it comes to investigative journalism. Social media platforms do not have the time or the resources to probe deeply behind stories and issues. But newspapers do, except they are not utilizing it to their advantage.

For example, from the time the story broke about the fire at the school dormitory at Mahdia, the newspapers should have sent reporters into the area. Unfortunately, what is happening is that newspaper journalists are increasingly becoming desk journalists. They hope to score scoops by sitting at their desks and not going out into the fields to follow leads.

Trained and professional journalists, on the other hand can delve deeper into stories and expose wrongdoing. They have the time and expertise to conduct interviews, access documents, and cross-verify information. They can ensure that what they report is accurate. In fact, most people who buy the newspapers do so because they want a reliable and dependable source of news and information.

Then there is context. After the Mahdia fire, there were calls for persons to be held accountable. But not many persons knew about the regional structure and how much responsibility this system holds for education. The newspapers could have provided more information about which agencies were responsible for the upkeep and management of the dormitory which was razed in the fire.

Journalists have the ability to analyze events, trace their origins, and explain their significance. They can connect the dots and provide a comprehensive narrative. This will allow readers to make better sense of the news.

Social media platforms have become echo chambers for all manners of views, including the bigoted and the extreme. Newspaper journalists, on the other hand, have a responsibility to present a balanced view of the news and to be responsible.  By doing so, they help readers broaden their perspectives and even to challenge preconceptions.

In addition, journalists can offer expert analysis and interpretation. Social media updates often lack the insights and expertise that trained journalists bring to the table. Journalists have access to a network of experts in various fields who can provide valuable insights and analysis. By leveraging these resources, journalists can provide in-depth coverage, explaining the implications and ramifications of news events.

Newspapers are now under threat because of the advent of social media. But newspapers are still considered a credible and reliable source of information. If this advantage is to be maintained, our journalists have to cease this habit of simply reporting what is already on social media and instead try to give their readership something extra.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of this newspaper and its affiliates.)

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• journalists, media, newspaper, Peeping Tom, politician

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