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True journalism will survive. This is not arrogance or wishful thinking from a journalist who cares about the profession. It’s what I believe will be the end-result of the current state of uncertainty and the hype of bogus media and disinformation. Though this doesn’t mean to negate the fact that media is changing, technology is developing at an unprecedented pace, or that challenges are enormous.
Digital is overtaking the way publishing and broadcasting works, radically changing the way journalists work and the profession sustains its viability. The internet, as a tool and means of disseminating news and information, is impacting what’s called traditional media in a way not seen before. The evolving role of so-called social media — which I consider asocial — as an outlet for news, information, opinion and analysis is the main challenge to professional media and journalistic work.
In almost every media event of the past year, one comes out from discussions and debates with a perceived conclusion that ‘mainstream media’ is over and other forms of journalism are taking over. There’s no definitive measure of how many are turning to social media for news and information rather than seeking it from mainstream media, as yet almost all media outlets use these social media platforms to propagate their content across all formats (text, pictures, videos, infographics ...).
It may be right to say that the public is finding it easier to get information from social media while it’s becoming more and more sceptical about information other than that ‘shared’ or ‘tweeted’ by trusted sources. Hype about social media becoming the main source of information and news may be coming to an end soon — not only due to saturation, but due to increased use of these platforms as means of disinformation, bogus campaigning and spreading rumours for political ends.
Campaign of media-hate
Challenges to true journalism are surmountable, though it may seem to be the opposite for some — especially those who are at odds with professional journalism. When you see the president of a superpower attacking media day and night, using his social media accounts to criticise journalists and launching a campaign of mediahate, you might think that journalism is on the
■ Dr Ahmad Mustafa is a noted journalist, based in Abu Dhabi.