News and Journalism are the Backbone to a Free and Democratic Society
News and journalism are under pressure. The digital landscape has been a boom for few and measuring up to be nearly a bust for many, as subscription versus ad models are mixed bag across the landscape. Yet, the same landscape has given rise to hundreds of digital outlets, each trying to land an audience consistent with their views and beliefs – which can run wide and deep. This is where truth matters. Whether you lean left or right, reporting should at least be based in truth. Truth is the only way to inform citizens about events and issue that impact their lives and livelihoods, making truth an important dimension for decision making.
Left unchecked, misrepresentation of the truth allows those on the periphery to let subjective points of view thrive in society. Not a good thing for democratic processes.
The following links explore the importance of journalism in properly informing citizens in a democracy and touches on the thoughts of what makes for good journalistic principles: