Why Journalism Matters

Journalism matters for many reasons. it is important people have a trustworthy news source of information so they can make rational decisions in their life, communities, societies, and government and be knowledgeable. The purpose of journalism is to inform and spread facts and knowledge about topics and events happening around the world. As Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel in The Elements of Journalism explain,

“The purpose of journalism…” “...is not defined by technology, nor by journalists or the techniques they employ.”

Rather, “the principles and purpose of journalism are defined by something more basic: the function news plays in the lives of people.”.

News is the way information is communicated around the world.

There is so much untrustworthy information coming from all different sources making it almost impossible to find the truth. Social media has a big impact on people’s decision-making, but 62% of Americans think social media have too much influence over the news content and topics. The online spread of fake news is one of the most worrisome trends in journalism, this is why we have and need good journalism that presents us with the truth.

Without the news, information, and analysis that the media provides, citizens wouldn’t be able to make judgments and decisions.

People are dependent on journalists and their information that they put out into society because without them they would be clueless about what is happening in the world.

As a journalist, it is important to speak the truth and only the truth. A good journalist is not biased and does not use their opinion to influence other people’s opinions. It is important to pick reliable news sources.

Over 2020 when the coronavirus breakout happened and people were scared and clueless, this is why we needed good journalism and journalists to step in and spread the latest news and statistic about the virus, deaths, cause, and cases. Without journalism, no one would have much of an idea of what was happening. Although In yellow journalism statistics, 74% of news consumers were worried about “fake news” about coronavirus.