Chapter 2
Critical Journalism and Public Interest
“Critical thinking is the most important factor with chess. As it is in life, you need to think before you make decisions.” – Hikaru Nakamura
Chapter 2 : Critical Journalism and Public Interest
Critical journalism plays a central role in a caring governance model by acting as a watchdog, uncovering truths, and holding power to account. However, for journalism to fulfill its public interest mandate, it must be rooted in epistemic rigor. This means that journalists must prioritize accuracy, context, and fairness, while also being transparent about their methods and sources. In an omnicratic system, journalism must go beyond merely informing the public; it must actively engage citizens in the co-creation of knowledge and the resolution of societal challenges. This requires a shift from one-way communication to participatory journalism, where citizens are not just passive consumers of news but active contributors to the discourse (Lewis, 2012). For instance, collaborative investigative projects that involve citizen journalists and open-source intelligence (OSINT) can democratise the production of knowledge and ensure that diverse perspectives are represented.
Media Education, Critical Media Literacy, and Citizenship
Media education and critical media literacy are cornerstones of epistemic knowledge, as they equip individuals with the skills to critically analyze media content, understand its underlying biases, and recognize its impact on public opinion. Critical media literacy, in particular, encourages individuals to interrogate the social, political, and economic contexts in which media is produced and consumed, fostering a deeper understanding of how power operates in society (Kellner & Share, 2019). In a caring governance model, media education and critical media literacy must be integrated into formal and informal learning environments, from schools to community workshops. By fostering media literacy and critical media literacy, societies can cultivate informed citizens who are capable of engaging in meaningful dialogue, challenging misinformation, and advocating for policies that serve the public interest (Hobbs, 2010). Moreover, media education and critical media literacy can empower individuals to use digital tools creatively and responsibly, enabling them to participate in civic life and contribute to the collective good. For example, media-literate citizens can leverage social media platforms to organize grassroots movements, share reliable information, and hold leaders accountable.
Citizenship and the Pursuit of Karma, Dharma, Arth, and Moksha
In an omnicratic system, citizenship is redefined as an active, participatory role that goes beyond voting or paying taxes. Omnicracy has a higher potential to facilitate the achievement of the fundamental goals of humans – ‘goals of a meaningful life’. It involves a commitment to Karma (right action), Dharma (moral duty), Arth (material well-being), and Moksha (spiritual liberation). Epistemic knowledge, combined with critical media literacy, enables citizens to align their actions with these principles by providing them with the understanding and tools needed to make ethical decisions, contribute to societal well-being, and pursue personal and collective fulfillment. For instance, a citizen informed by epistemic knowledge and critical media literacy might advocate for policies that promote economic equity (arth), environmental sustainability (dharma), and social harmony (karma), while also seeking personal growth and spiritual enlightenment (moksha). This holistic approach to citizenship fosters a sense of purpose and interconnectedness, addressing the discontent and alienation that often arise in traditional democratic systems.
Omnicracy: Beyond Democracy
“Democracy is beautiful in theory; in practice it is a fallacy”. – Benito Mussolini
Omnicracy represents a governance model that seeks to include all voices and interests, ensuring that no individual or group is left out of the equation. Unlike democracy, which can be dominated by majority rule and partisan politics, omnicracy emphasizes equitable representation, collaborative decision-making, and collective well-being. Epistemic knowledge and critical media literacy are essential for realizing this vision, as they enable citizens to engage in informed, rational, and empathetic dialogue. By fostering a culture of epistemic awareness and critical media literacy, omnicratic governance can address the root causes of discontent and disharmony, creating a society where individuals feel valued, empowered, and connected to a shared purpose.
The Role of Public Interest in Omnicracy
The public interest is the guiding principle of promoting a totally inclusive society which democracy is not able to do. Hence the omnicratic governance to ensure that policies and practices serve the collective good rather than narrow interests.
Critical journalism, media education, and critical media literacy are vital for upholding the public interest, as they provide citizens with the knowledge and tools needed to hold power to account and advocate for equitable solutions. In an omnicratic system, the public interest is not determined by elite decision-makers or corporate interests but is co-created through participatory processes that involve all members of society. This requires a commitment to epistemic knowledge and critical media literacy, as well as a recognition of the interconnectedness of individual and collective well-being.
Epistemic knowledge, complemented by critical media literacy, is the foundation of a healthy, ethical, successful, and happy life within a caring governance model that transcends traditional democracy and aspires toward omnicracy. By fostering critical journalism, media education, critical media literacy, and active citizenship, societies can empower individuals to navigate complex information landscapes, engage in meaningful civic participation, and contribute to the collective good. In doing so, they can address the discontent, disharmony, and dystopia that have emerged under conventional democratic systems, creating a society where all voices are heard, all interests are represented, and all individuals have the opportunity to pursue karma, dharma, arth, and moksha. This vision of omnicracy, rooted in epistemic knowledge, critical media literacy, and the public interest, offers a path toward a more equitable, inclusive, and fulfilling future.
What Is The Role of Journalists In Preserving Epistemic Security?
Journalists hold a critical responsibility to counter misinformation and rebuild trust in credible information systems. This requires adhering to rigorous truth-seeking standards, engaging in thorough fact-checking, and resisting the pressures of the attention economy by prioritising content that informs rather than merely entertains.
Journalists are equally challenged heuristics – the cognitive limitations individuals face in processing vast amounts of information leads people to rely on heuristics, or mental shortcuts, to make decisions. While efficient, these shortcuts often result in biases that distort information consumption. For example, confirmation bias drives individuals to favour information aligning with their pre-existing beliefs, while recency bias prioritises recent over accurate information.
The Weaponisation of Information: The Economics of Disinformation – The attention economy incentivises the creation of misleading content, as algorithms prioritise engagement over accuracy. Resources are diverted from essential truth-oriented activities, such as fact-checking, to strategies designed to maximize clicks and shares.
The Consequences of Misinformation: Misinformation erodes public trust, disrupts political processes, and hinders effective crisis responses. For instance, during simultaneous emergencies, false narratives amplified by digital platforms can sow confusion, undermining society’s capacity for cohesive action
Journalism as a Beacon of Epistemic Security
In the attention society, where the competition for focus often prioritises spectacle over substance, journalism has a critical role to play. By embracing media literacy, fostering metacognition, and promoting epistemic security, journalists can safeguard public interest and navigate the challenges of the post-truth era.
Redefining journalism in this context requires a commitment to truth, transparency, and the empowerment of audiences. It is not just about reporting the news—it is about shaping a more informed, discerning, and connected society. In a world awash with noise, journalism must serve as a beacon of clarity, guiding individuals toward understanding and action in the service of the greater good.
Before stepping onto the strategies for journalists it is important in arguing for the inclusion of epistemological syllabus and pedagogy. Certainly! Below is a refined and cohesive version of the text, fusing the previous arguments and focusing on the importance of epistemological theory, the advocacy for introducing a new theory of epistemic journalism, and the development of epistemic pedagogy for journalists and other content creators.
Introducing Epistemic Journalism: A New Learning Theory for the Digital Age
In an era defined by information overload, misinformation, and disinformation, the role of journalists and content creators has never been more critical. The digital landscape, with its rapid dissemination of unverified claims and manipulated narratives, demands a new approach to journalism—one rooted in epistemology, the philosophical study of knowledge. This proposal advocates for the introduction of a new theory of epistemic journalism and the integration of epistemic pedagogy into the training of journalists and content creators. By doing so, we can empower them to navigate the complexities of the modern information ecosystem with critical thinking, ethical rigor, and a commitment to truth.