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What is the future of political journalism in the era of 'fake news'?

Athena Rawdall

As a user of multiple social media platforms, I believe the future of political journalism is uncertain in the era of 'fake news.' The rise of misinformation has caused a major trust issue among consumers of news, especially those who rely on social media for their daily updates.

In the past, journalists have served as the gatekeepers of information, ensuring that only factually accurate and unbiased stories were delivered to the public. However, with the advent of social media, fake news has spread like wildfire on various platforms, causing emotional reactions and potentially dangerous outcomes. Fake news stories can lead to political instability, social unrest, and even violence in extreme cases.

Furthermore, political bias has become more apparent in today's media, as journalists often have to compete with clickbait headlines and sensational stories. The pressures of a 24-hour news cycle, combined with the need to generate as much traffic as possible, has led to a race to the bottom in terms of journalistic integrity.

However, not all hope is lost. With the advent of new technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, there is an opportunity for journalists to improve their reporting and fact-checking capabilities. Moreover, social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter have taken steps to combat fake news by using algorithms and human moderators to flag and remove false or misleading content.

Despite these efforts, the onus is ultimately on the individual to seek out reliable sources of information. Users must take responsibility for their media consumption by fact-checking news stories and seeking out multiple sources before forming opinions or making decisions based on information they find online.

In conclusion, the future of political journalism remains uncertain in the era of fake news. While there are promising technologies and platform initiatives being used to help combat the spread of misinformation, it is ultimately up to each individual to educate themselves and seek out trustworthy sources of information. The truth is out there, but it may require more effort and diligence to find it in today's social media environment.