Goodbye journalism, hello rumor and lack of accountability

Networks, websites, newspapers and magazines jumped on the concept of ‘citizen journalism’ eagerly for the same reason shoppers love a 2-for-the-price-of-1 at the grocery store. With budgets strapped, these wannabe reporters could provide content and the media outlet didn’t even have to pay. What’s more, there’s no requisite for validation—the false story CNN ran about Apple’s Steve Jobs came from a first time iReporter who didn’t even have to provide a name, address or anything other than a working email. And the false story affected the stock price of an American company. CNN said the person who submitted the story did so under the name "Johntw." This was the first story filed by that individual. Where is the outrage that should be coming from the industry?

Are we hearing criticisms from traditional media? Are we hearing cries for standards from professional journalism organizations? Truth is traditional media memes what’s written on blogs every day. The smear job done on Gov. Sarah Palin is a perfect example. Today’s marketplace has given a whole new meaning to muckraking. Toss in traditional media’s tendency to report only part of the facts, especially when it comes to polls and health studies, and you have a perfect prescription for an industry negligent on accountability standards.

If a major outlet runs content, there should be a vetting process and a means of knowing exactly who really did provide that content. Otherwise, that outlet is no better than a tabloid blog.

Comments

[Kay B. Day, Editor]

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