HUM186 - WEEK 5
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186
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Arts Humanities
Date
Jun 19, 2024
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docx
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4
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The Evolving Landscape of Information:
Traditional News Media and Social Media in
Contemporary American Society Lisa Smith
HUM/186
01/28/2023
Charmaine Cox
I.
Introduction
In contemporary American society, the roles of traditional news
media and social media have undergone significant
transformations, shaped how individuals’ access and interpreted
information. This paper explores the evolving dynamics of these
two mediums, their respective roles, and the responsibilities they
bear in providing accurate information to the public.
II.
Traditional News Media in Contemporary Society
Traditional news media, comprising newspapers, television, and
radio, has long been regarded as a primary source of information.
Despite facing challenges in the digital age, these outlets
continue to play a crucial role in shaping public opinion and
disseminating news. Established news organizations, such as The
New York Times and CNN, maintain credibility through rigorous
journalistic standards and fact-checking processes. They act as
gatekeepers, filtering and verifying information before presenting
it to the public.
The news media's responsibility is to provide accurate, unbiased,
and timely information to the public. Journalists serve as
watchdogs, holding those in power accountable and ensuring
transparency. The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) outlines
ethical guidelines, emphasizing the importance of truthfulness
and minimizing harm. The media's role extends beyond just
reporting events; it involves contextualizing information,
presenting diverse perspectives, and fostering an informed
citizenry.
Example 1: The Watergate Scandal
An iconic example of the news media fulfilling its responsibility is
the Watergate scandal. Investigative journalism by reporters Bob
Woodward and Carl Bernstein of The Washington Post exposed
corruption in the highest echelons of the U.S. government. This
reporting led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon in
1974, highlighting the news media's critical role in uncovering
truth and maintaining democratic accountability.
III.
Social Media in Contemporary Society
The rise of social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, and
Instagram, has revolutionized information dissemination. These
platforms empower users to share news and opinions rapidly,
democratizing the flow of information. However, they also present
challenges, as the speed and volume of content can lead to the
spread of misinformation and the echo-chamber effect.
While social media fosters connectivity and the rapid spread of
information, its unfiltered nature poses risks. The responsibility of
ensuring accuracy is complex, given the vast amount of user-
generated content. Social media platforms must strike a balance
between allowing free expression and curbing the dissemination
of false information.
Are social media platforms responsible for ensuring the content
their users share is accurate and factual?
Social media platforms play a significant role in shaping public
discourse, and their responsibility in curating accurate content is
a subject of debate. While platforms like Facebook have
implemented fact-checking mechanisms, they often face
challenges in enforcing these measures uniformly due to the
sheer volume of content generated daily.
Example 2: Spread of Misinformation during the COVID-19
Pandemic
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The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the impact of social media
on public health information. False claims and misinformation
regarding the virus, treatments, and vaccines circulated widely on
platforms like Twitter and Facebook. Despite efforts by these
platforms to label or remove misleading content, the sheer
volume made it challenging to prevent the spread of inaccurate
information.
IV.
Conclusion
In contemporary American society, traditional news media and
social media each play distinctive roles in shaping public
perception. Traditional news media, guided by journalistic ethics,
serves as a reliable source of information and a check on power.
Social media, while empowering users, presents challenges in
maintaining accuracy due to its open and decentralized nature.
The news media's responsibility is to uphold truthfulness,
objectivity, and accountability. Social media platforms, too, bear a
responsibility to implement measures that curb the dissemination
of false information. Striking a balance between freedom of
expression and content accuracy remains a critical challenge for
both traditional news media and social media platforms in the
dynamic landscape of information dissemination.
Reference:
Society of Professional Journalists. (2014). SPJ Code of Ethics.
Retrieved from https://www.spj.org/ethicscode.asp