We need a rating system for the news
The recent Dominion Voting Systems defamation lawsuit against Fox News has highlighted the dangers of biased and sensationalist reporting in the news media.
The lawsuit has revealed that Fox News knowingly spread misinformation to increase ratings, prioritizing entertainment value over accuracy and truthfulness. We have seen other news agencies get caught sensationalizing news stories before. Years ago, Dan Rather was terminated from CBS following a report that alleged Bush went AWOL during his time in the Texas Air National Guard.
Both Fox News and Dan Rather deny wrongdoing. Nevertheless, the trend of spreading misinformation as an opinion is terrible.
The consequences of biased and sensationalist reporting in the news undermine public trust in the press, which we need to maintain a healthy democracy. When news organizations prioritize entertainment value over accuracy and truthfulness, they are no longer fulfilling their responsibility to inform the public without favor. Instead, they contribute to the spread of misinformation.
One reason biased and sensationalist reporting has become so prevalent may be because of social media and how easy it is to share news stories. Each media company wants to make sure that its articles are shared.
News organizations feel pressured to capture viewers’ attention and keep them engaged. Unfortunately, this has led to sensational stories and clickbait headlines that erode public trust and undermine the credibility of journalism.
To combat this trend, we could create a rating system for news programs. It could operate similarly to the movie rating system, with news organizations self-selecting their rating based on a rubric that evaluates the level of factual reporting versus opinion-based content. The entertainment rating system for films (G, PG, etc.) was introduced in 1968 as a voluntary movie rating system. The movie and entertainment industry operates it; the government is not involved in the rating process.
To further incentivize news organizations to prioritize factual reporting over opinion-based content, the proposed rating system would also hold them accountable based on their chosen rating. For instance, news organizations that self-select a rating of 1 would decrease their liability for any inaccuracies or biases in their reporting, while those that rate themselves a 5 would have the highest liability.
This would incentivize them to self-evaluate their content and accurately prioritize factual reporting. Maybe, in the future, people would ask each other about the news ratings of the program they watch. It would be a way for individuals to understand the accuracy of the news
The benefits of a rating system for news programs are numerous. It would encourage news organizations to prioritize accuracy and truthfulness in their reporting rather than sensationalism and entertainment value. The public would understand that higher-rated news programs would be held to a higher standard of accuracy and impartiality. It would provide viewers with a clear understanding of the type of program they are watching.
Let’s assume that Tucker Carlson and Rachel Maddow programs are rated as 1. This rating would mean that the program is primarily opinion. It doesn’t mean that people have to stop believing them. It indicates that the viewer should do further research before accepting everything on the program as fact.
There are potential drawbacks. It would take a lot of time to create the rubric that could be used to determine each rating level. The Motion Picture Association of America first suggested a film rating system in 1966, but it took until November 1968 before it was used.
In this case, we would ask news agencies to sign contracts establishing penalties for mislabeling the news. News organizations may also be hesitant to self-select a lower rating, as this could make shows less attractive to viewers and advertisers.
Despite these potential drawbacks, a rating system for news programs could be a valuable tool in promoting transparency, accountability and informed decision-making. It should be a part of a more significant effort to promote transparency and accuracy in the news media. The Society of Professional Journalists created a code of ethics for journalists. The code outlines the principles and guidelines for ethical journalism practices. Maybe the SPJ could create a division that would oversee the rating system.
Biased and sensationalist reporting in the news media is a worrying trend that erodes public trust. We need to do something. A rating system is just one possibility. We should push our preferred news agencies and SPJ to develop new solutions to increase the accountability of our news providers.