Fake News Is Our Lex Luther
By: Nes Charif
10.11.18
As a child, I always wanted to be a journalist. It was all I could ever imagine doing. I didn’t want to be a Disney princess or dress up a Barbie, I wanted to be Lois Lane. Yes, that feisty reporter for the Metropolis newspaper, the Daily Planet, and none other than Superman’s love interest—also a fake character in the world of D.C. comics. Nowadays, some may say that the comic character and real-life journalists are comparable, both being ‘fake’. Those of you diving into the world of journalism must have heard or read about it frequently in the last couple years, “Fake News.” The worn-out phrases popularized by the president of the United States himself, Donald Trump. You’ve heard it relentlessly, but what does it really mean for journalists now?
When I tell people I study journalism I get one of the same two responses almost, always. “Don’t tell me you’re a liberal pushing propaganda and fake news.” Or, “Good. That is so important.”
Indeed, it is important. But, don’t get me wrong fake news is just as significant because with the country being more politically divided than ever it is crucial you set yourself apart and make it clear that you are a serious journalist with high ethics, honesty and integrity.
To do that, you need to know some vital information about the industry right now. Some of that information I’m learning myself every day. The art of journalism is ever changing and is not what it used to be. One of the biggest technological cultural breakthroughs is social media. This is where it becomes dangerous for journalists and people start getting confused. That is because it is the center of fake articles being spread virally by one simple click. It is also where people dig to find information about you from years prior. For some of us new journalists that means childhood. This is how the world communicates the fastest now, this is where some conspiracies are born and despite all attempts to eliminate them, they live on the internet forever. Remember that when you send out your next tweet. Someone wise once told me, “You always want to tell a story, you never want to be the story.” A saying all journalists should eat, live and breathe by. In today’s world credible journalists are now being singled out by the president, and his supporters who have lost their faith in the practice of journalism. This has made it difficult for journalists to stay out of the story and forced to defend their integrity.
Recently, American journalist and CNN anchor Anderson Cooper was accused of dramatizing a live shot from his 2008 hurricane Florence coverage. The president’s son, Donald Trump Jr., condemned the anchor on twitter posting a picture of Cooper standing a few feet under water while just a couple yards away stood his camera crew with their feet just inches below the water. Donald Trump Jr. claimed Cooper was exaggerating the news as he does when trying to make his father, the president, look bad. With a vast public response from Trump supporters and retweets of the alleged overplay, Cooper was forced to address the rumor on CNN defending his credibility with footage from his live shot that day and again explaining on air that the water where he was standing was actually subsiding and that he was moving out of the way from the road in which was being used to evacuate people. A total of eight minutes broadcasting the truth debunking what was rumored to be ‘fake news.’
Reiterating fake news and what it means for journalist now? It means that we are inevitably going to be attacked for doing our job if we report something someone doesn’t like. Now, we are being watched more closely than we have ever been, it’s almost unprecedented. Even if you do everything right, someone will always question your credibility and it is our duty to always be prepared with facts, evidence, and the truth. The change that has come to journalism will really test the teachings of our predecessors and we cannot disappoint. Our line of work is in jeopardy and there is little to no room for mistakes.
Not long ago, my professors and also directors for the DePaul Center for Journalism and Excellence, Carol Marin and Don Moseley told our class that “Journalism is giving up part of your freedom.” That means be aware of what you say, make sure it does not sound biased because it will be grounds for scrutiny. Speak on a factual basis, we all have opinions, I know. Keep them to yourself. Keep in mind that in some cases, you have to be careful of what you wear. During the gubernatorial forum on NBC 5 this past September I remember a classmate making a comment to Carol Marin about wearing the color red to moderate the forum. Perhaps indicating to viewers that she supports a particular political party, this was not true, but it was something Carol said was a concern because it may look that way when in reality it was the chosen color for technical reasons on camera.
My fellow journalists, the world needs us, and they need us to be well prepared for whatever comes our way. Fake news does exist, but so do we. Those of us who are dedicated to find out the truth no matter who tries to stop us or discredit us is what will keep journalism thriving. The battle with fake news is just a hiccup we may encounter, but remember that the facts are on your side. Believe in yourself, and with that journalism will prevail. My fictional hero, Lois Lane said it best, “There are three rules in journalism – believe none of what you hear, half of what you see and everything you write.”
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