User generated content is on the rise; with the help of the internet, and online media, access to information is quicker, cheaper, and easier than ever. Anyone, anywhere, can create ”journalistic” content through a quick YouTube video, podcast, blog post, or even using 140 characters or less via Twitter. The line distinguishing amateur and professional journalism is becoming hazy, making it difficult for the population to discern what is, in fact, reliable news. The sole defining characteristic between the two is credibility. To gain credibility, one must build a sense of trust between the journalist and it’s readership.
Today’s society is very much a skeptical one, believing whole-heartedly in what they see versus what they’re told. For this reason, backing up all writing with substantial proof is a vital part of gaining a readers trust and, in turn, becoming credible. Being perfect is close to impossible, so staying honest and admitting to mistakes through online page corrections amplifies a sense of thoroughness. Admittedly, reaching the ‘truth’ is near impossible. As a society, a clear definition of truth has not been reached for one reason: perception is reality. Everyone sees everything through their own personal lens, taking in information and interpreting it almost instantly. For this reason, the ‘truth’ for one person may not be the “truth” for another. In order to achieve as close to a happy medium as possible, journalists must bypass, as well as they can, personal bias and record exactly what they see. No more, and no less. Through doing this, readers have the chance to apply their own judgements to the facts given.
Most career paths require years of study, working towards a licence in order to practice in the desired field. Journalism does not work this way. There are no licences, or regulations dictating who and what journalists can report. For this reason, citizens turned to large media powerhouses such as CBC, CNN, and BBC, to deliver credible journalism. However, with the help of technology, individual journalists are slowly gaining popularity. Whether it be through vlog, blog, or tweet, the credibility of individual journalists is becoming just as important, if not more important, than the news organization they work for. People turn to these independent news outlets to report on events in a way that large corporations cannot, without bias and fear of offending investors and stock holders. Recently, media conglomerates have begun to buy shares and fund these seemingly independent sources, having them adhere to the same restrictions as the larger brands. This rise of deceptive ‘independent’ reporting brings to light the need for transparency. Clearly stating one’s funders and mother companies allow the readership to understand the possible lens through which articles are written and gives them the chance to search through other media outlets for opposing views, in turn allowing them to form their own opinion on the topic at hand.
Regardless of journalistic medium, credibility is key in discerning between amateurs and professionals. Building a sense of trust through transparency, objectivity, and truthful reporting all build the credibility of a journalist in the eyes of their readership.
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