In todays world the way journalism is practiced and regarded has changed dramatically. One contributing factor to this is the digital age, and perhaps we can even thank President Donald Trump for his contribution to the ‘Fake News’ fanfare. Consequently, the journalistic value of integrity is more crucial now than ever.
I believe having integrity as a journalist is vital to maintain rapport with readers and colleagues in an ever changing, competitive and heavily scrutinised industry. The digital age has developed in such a manner (from the likes of Twitter, Instagram and Facebook) that just about anyone can start a news thread that carries misleading or harmful information (such is the case of the fake death of actor Rowen Atkinson in 2015). Thus, holding onto the value of integrity as a journalist — in an age where just about your next door neighbours grandma can be a journalist — is key to maintaining a good reputation and providing the public sphere with truthful, honest, fair and reliable facts in order for individuals to make coherent decisions about their day-to-day lives.
Similarly, thanks to the ‘Fake News’ trend that has gathered traction over years, journalists in Australia are now sitting on the list of top three most untrustworthy professions in the nation. Considering journalisms primary role is to provide the public sphere with honest and reliable truths about the world around us; if said public sphere is having doubts about the integrity of its journalists who would believe the stories journalists produce — primarily; ones that scrutinise and hold accountable those in power, consequently allowing powerful corporations, politicians and individuals get away with damaging and sometimes illegal actions.
I believe having integrity as a journalist is not only important for maintaining a good reputation amongst the public — I believe it is just as important on a personal level. As mentioned, in a highly competitive and scrutinised industry, to go home at night knowing that you performed your job of providing the public with important (sometimes confrontational) truths of the world all the while managing to keep your moral compass in tact is something that journalists should try hold onto — not only for the readers, but also for self satisfaction.
An example of journalism that has come to the forefront in the digital age is the ABC current affairs program Four Corners. Four Corners continuously holds the value of integrity when producing its segments. They provide their audience with important truths of the world around them “…exposing scandals, triggering inquiries, firing debate confronting taboos and interpreting fads, trends and subcultures”. Even in an age when it can be dangerous to expose the powerful, the Four Corners crew continue to provide the public with information they need to make coherent decisions about their lives.
