JOURNALISM, the traditional craft of organising words, images, graphics, audio and videos into an enlightening, educational and entertaining news, information and analysis package, is straddling a challenging juncture.
Amidst the chaos and confusion — and some say an existential spectre — reporters, writers and correspondents from assorted platforms abetted by their editors and publishing, broadcasting and streaming organisations, strive under duress and, occasionally, intimidation to put out their reports.
After gathering, writing and recording millions of words and yottabytes of video and audio, the news is petered down by expert, creative and careful editing. From the standpoint of tone, colour, clarity, brevity and legality, readers get to digest a mere 10 per cent or less of the total mass.
Now, with print news on the decline, online news portals and individual social media influencers are capitalising on their zeitgeist. People worldwide are still news junkies despite a backlash that viewer and reader disillusionment with the news is growing, especially after the recent decry over "fake" news.
Let's not even get started with artificial intelligence: tech proponents tout AI as the new face of cutting-edge journalism, a characterisation denounced by long-established journalists.
Therefore, it was timely that the Malaysian Press Institute's chief executive officer Datuk Mustapa Omar crystallised a useful perspective of the news business as we know it. In a nutshell, it boils down to rapid pace of technology, democratisation of information, complex challenges and new responsibilities.
At his insistence, formal training, ethical guidelines and editorial oversight are foundations of responsible reporting. This, Mustapa mused, seemed to be the benchmark separating professional journalists from their "citizen" brethren.
While anyone with a computer and an Internet connection can be a "journalist" and be able to create their own news, Mustapa questioned as to what extent was their version accurate and true? What sets the neophytes and the seasoned apart is the adherence to journalistic ethics, he averred.
Professionals understand the impact, consequences and legality of the news, information and knowledge they impart. On the other hand, citizen journalists, with a vague understanding of the ramifications, only know how to "shoot" the news but when caught dead wrong, they simply "apologise".
Not so with professionals: aside from threats of violence and harassment, they face legal action even when they observe the ethical cornerstones of truth, facts, accuracy, objectivity and impartiality — nouns that root out any reporting bias.
Here's an idea to bridge the gaping abyss between professionals and citizens: engage them in talks, forums and courses on heeding journalistic ethics. Impress upon the neophytes that journalistic ethics is not a lofty charter, but one constructed out of professionalism, and sensible personal code and moral values that defend respect for life and rule of law.
Make them understand that anytime these cornerstones are flouted, it destroys credibility and reputation, and by that, aggravates the growing disillusionment with the news.