Oftentimes, you will hear phrases from people such as, “Journalism is a dead field,” and “Journalism will not survive long-term.” But are these statements currently true, or will they become true in the future?
Journalism, described as the activity or profession of writing for newspapers, magazines, and news websites or preparing news to be broadcast, is often a debated field due to factors such as pay, mental energy invested, and time spent. People argue that the minimal pay is not worth the energy and time spent, claiming that the pros do not outweigh the cons. There are also debates about its prominence and vulnerability to being replaced by AI. However, in my opinion, journalism is not dying; it is only evolving. While it’s true that for many, the salary is not ideal, the world needs power to be held accountable and to make history with what we have now. Investigative journalism, such as the Pulitzer-winning work by The Washington Post on water contamination in Flint, Michigan, proves its power to hold leaders accountable. Journalism brings us closer to those around us by making the world seem more visible and shapes public discourse.
Not only is journalism more relevant than ever today, but it has also been crucial in history. It has created an objective historical record of events as they unfolded for us and future generations to reflect on and learn from. Not only that, it has humanized history by giving us a lens into personal narratives. One of the earliest known forms of journalism was in 59 B.C.E., when Julius Caesar created the Acta Diurna to inform citizens on government decisions, legal proceedings, and public events. It laid the groundwork for future news reporting and established the principle of disseminating official information to the public. Things such as the Acta Diurna demonstrate that journalism is not something that is only relevant when it’s trending, but rather something so important that it has been ingrained in our ancestors’ lives and will continue to do so.
Journalism will continue to be a prominent field. It will remain so through reinforcing its core values such as truth, credibility, and investigative reporting. The core purpose of a journalist – to seek truth and hold power accountable – is irreplaceable and fundamental to our past, present, and future.
The next time you hear a phrase such as “journalism is a dead field,” I ask you to think about the voices that would be silenced without it. Think about the injustices that would go unnoticed, the stories that would go untold, and the people who would be left unheard. Journalism is more than just a profession; it’s a pillar to our democracy, a mirror to society, and a pillar between communities. While the platforms change, such as print to digital, the mission remains the same.
In conclusion, the truth will always matter. As long as there are stories to be told and voices to be heard, journalism will never be irrelevant. So no, journalism is not dead. It is very much alive, and it is ours to protect.
