How Different Paradoxes Affect Trust In Journalism?
1. Transparency vs. Manipulation
Benefit: Digital platforms allow for transparency by giving journalists the ability to show sources, live reporting, and fact-checking. Challenge: AI-generated deepfakes, manipulated images, and selective editing can erode trust in news, making it harder for audiences to distinguish fact from fiction.
2. Credibility vs. Virality
Benefit: Quality journalism is more accessible, and media outlets can fact-check viral misinformation in real-time. Challenge: Sensational or misleading content spreads faster than verified news, often gaining more engagement, making credibility secondary to virality.
3. Engagement vs. Polarisation
Benefit: Journalists can engage directly with audiences through social media, answering questions and building trust. Challenge: Social media algorithms favour extreme and emotionally charged content, leading to echo chambers and deepening distrust in mainstream media.
4. Automation vs. Human Oversight
Benefit: AI helps automate news gathering and personalize content for audiences. Challenge: AI-driven content, including automated journalism and bots, raises concerns about biases, ethics, and the loss of human editorial judgment.
5. Open Access vs. Information Overload
Benefit: Audiences have access to diverse perspectives and multiple news sources instantly. Challenge: The sheer volume of conflicting information creates confusion, leading to skepticism about what is true and which sources are trustworthy.
6. Citizen Journalism vs. Professional Ethics
Benefit: Social media allows ordinary people to document events in real-time, often breaking stories before traditional media. Challenge: Without journalistic training, many reports lack verification, context, or ethical standards, making misinformation more common.