Govts must help the Press which faces grave threats

They have to offer subsidies, give tax breaks, and sponsor initiatives that offer training in journalism

on them might encourage reporters to leave the profession.

the relentless rhetorical attacks on members of the mainstream media by leaders like US President Donald Trump — whose “fake news” narrative targets the credibility of the profession itself — is having an effect. Although confidence in the news media

When professional journalism is absent, people can easily become lost in a maze of often-unreliable information, or even fall prey to self-proclaimed, interest-driven experts and propaganda.

Finally,

has been rising in recent surveys, the constant vilification of journalists’ integrity and intelligence threatens to erode the profession.

Together, these five challenges are taking a heavy toll on the news business, and this poses a risk to democracy itself. Without free and independent media, citizens cannot make informed decisions. In fact, when professional journalism is absent, people can easily become lost in a maze of often-unreliable information, or even fall prey to self-proclaimed, interestdriven experts and propaganda. Journalism is democracy’s compass; we must find a way to recalibrate it.

First and foremost, journalists need protection. That means ensuring not only their safety, but also their ability to access information and report their findings without fear of reprisal. At a minimum, attacks on journalists must be fully investigated, and their perpetrators must be held to account and condemned by the international community.

And yet, support for the media must go beyond punishment. For example, more programmes are needed to help nurture young talent. Governments could offer subsidies, give tax breaks, and sponsor initiatives that offer training in journalism and new media. Future journalists need role models, but they also need the technical skills to become role models themselves.

Perhaps most important, media advocates everywhere must work to increase the public’s media literacy. News consumers must understand how journalism works, how journalists do their jobs, and why professional media outlets are essential components of a wellfunctioning democracy. Until the public values the output that professional journalists produce, a shortage of talent will be the next big challenge for journalism. It could turn out to be its biggest yet. — Project Syndicate