The media is an ever-growing source through which people can obtain the latest news about current events happening in their city, country and around the world. Articles and videos are easily accessible through online outlets and are constantly being circulated within social media accounts.
What that means is that, because it has become easier for misinformation to spread, a way has also been made for extremists to mobilize against those few journalists out there who are simply trying to report the facts.
According to Reporters Without Borders, in 2020, the United States ranked 45 out of 180 countries for world press freedom.
Within the past few years, the job of being a journalist in the U.S., as well as in other parts of the world, has become extremely dangerous. Many journalists have been arrested or killed in the act of reporting. In 2020 during the Black Lives Matter protests, many journalists were arrested and injured while documenting the events.
Along with these extreme experiences, journalists also receive backlash from those with opposing beliefs.
Often at MAGA/Trump rallies, journalists are treated with aggressive hatred and even violence just for reporting information.
The worst case of aggression was seen during the insurrection of the Capitol building this past January. On numerous occasions, extremists became violent and rude toward journalists after being fact-checked on the information attendees were sharing with others.
Former President Donald Trump often aimed hatred at the press. Trump used the phrase “enemy of the people” numerous times throughout his term when addressing the media. He did this because he felt as if the media, especially left-leaning news sources, was attempting to destroy his administration.
Because of this, many of his supporters began to believe the same and act out against journalists.
However, Trump never said anything against Fox News, as they tend to lean in favor of the political right-wing, especially when it comes to their editorial shows. And interestingly enough, much of the content Trump claimed to be “fake news” by other news sources consisted of his speeches and other times that he was, in fact, speaking live on camera.
Of course, when watching a news channel, it is usually obvious which political party is being supported. It’s not unusual for Republicans to watch Fox News and Democrats to watch CNN. In this situation, journalists are being told what stories to cover and how to make these stories fit their agenda.
“I feel as if no matter who is talking, their individual beliefs will always influence what they say,” said Jayon Babb, a junior religious studies major. “Their response and coverage will try to push you to what they believe.”
Unfortunately, many media sources are believed to be part of the reason our country is extremely divided.
How can media sources begin to unite the country instead of dividing it?
To begin, although journalists need to hear the opinions of the citizens, it is necessary that they report strictly facts about events, people and other topics.
In the last year, there was constant backlash from media sources either concerning Trump or current President Joe Biden. Rather than news sources strictly focusing on the negatives of the opposing candidate, there should be an equal amount of information about both people.
“As a future journalist, it’s a shame that the news is not being trusted,” said Morgan Alexander, a senior mass communication major. “The divide in our country has caused us to not trust half of what the media says.”
For those who distrust the media and yet still want to stay informed and up to date on the events happening in the world around them, it can be hard to find a middle ground. Though it may feel difficult sometimes to find them, there are factual, unbiased news sources, such as the Associated Press, PBS News, Reuters and The Hill.
As for other media outlets, there should be a way to find a middle ground that will allow journalists to not be in danger when covering stories and bridge the gap between the people in the United States.
