Friend or Foe?

The late and great Tupac Shakur proposed the question, "Is [Are] you a friend or foe?" in his song 1996 song 'Can't C Me.' In a cyber-driven world marked by information overload and digital interconnectivity, the trust that Americans have in mainstream media has become quite an issue. Mainstream media was once a go-to authority that shaped public opinion. Now, the confidence that we once had in those outlets has reached a historic low. In a study conducted by Gallup, nearly 70 percent of American adults say they either do not have very much confidence or none at all in TV, newspaper or radio. This begs the question of what factors have contributed to this drastic change over the years. Is the media for us if it's not by us? Are they a friend or foe?

The complexity of the relationship between the media and the public has evolved over time, being molded by differing political views, technological advancements, juicy scandals, fake news and more. These factors have completely transformed the way we consume news. To understand our current state of trust, we will take a quick trip backward to explore where we started and travel to our present to discuss and understand the elements of how we have gotten to a state of skepticism and distrust.

Let's take a look at the historical foundation that we have used to develop our relationship with mainstream media to gain an understanding of what has shaped our perceptions.

Mainstream media can be dated back to the beginning of the nation with papers like the Boston News-Letter, founded in 1704, and the Pennsylvania Gazette, founded in 1728. These outlets served as America’s first news sources in terms of "media." As time went on, the initial outlets grew from minor, local publications to national networks. Throughout the centuries, historical era events from "yellow journalism" all the way to investigative journalism, including Watergate, have changed the standard and integrity of what people expected from media sources.

One of the big factors plaguing trust is political bias. Whether it is the media's intention or not, Americans still believe they display a bias in reporting. We can see that in the outlets in the likes of Fox News, being more a right-wing, conservative source for news as opposed to MSNBC, which reports more on the liberal side of the spectrum. Another element is the widespread of misinformation or "fake news" that hurts the reliability of where information comes from.

To combat the challenges of media biases and misinformation, we must arm ourselves with certain skills and knowledge so that we may not fall victim to the information surplus that is thrown at us on a daily basis. Media literacy is key in navigating through the complex world of the constant bombarding of news, content and opinions. Being able to decipher between reliable and unreliable sources to make a clear and reasonable judgment on what is correct information is critical. Asking questions and being willing to consider a different perspective can ensure that we are taking a keen approach to bridging the gap between the public and the media.

Relationships are a two-way street. Therefore, while we better equip ourselves with ways to be more media literate, mainstream media outlets must also meet us with improvements to rebuild and to become more trustworthy. That building can start with reporting transparencies. Transparency is essential in a trusting relationship. By outlets being open and honest about their sources, reporting processes and even admitting to their biases can improve credibility and allow for accountability. Fact-checking can also aid in the process of trust building, along with using multiple, diverse sources, reducing the chance of media bias.

The way in which we consume information from the media is constantly changing. Different outlets are emerging every day. From advances in technology to new social media platforms, we face the challenges of navigating, understanding and accepting the new form of news. This is why, in order for us to form a trusting relationship with media again, we must stay vigilant in the changes and in the know, so to speak.

Media must take accountability in the role they have played in placing the strain on our trust. This can happen by transparency, diversifying resources, and fact-checking are ways to begin to repair. Instead of for profit, the media should be for people, and if that is not the case, that goes back to the original question of whether mainstream media is really a friend or foe. I don’t know…

References

 (2022, October 2). . - YouTube. Retrieved September 17, 2023, from https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiAvYfiibOBAxUHkmoFHVAVBM4QFnoECCYQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fgenius.com%2F2pac-cant-c-me-lyrics&usg=AOvVaw0BsyS9Emj8uiCrYQ1yshnM&opi=89978449

Brenan, M. (2022, October 18). Americans' Trust In Media Remains Near Record Low. Gallup News. Retrieved September 17, 2023, from https://news.gallup.com/poll/403166/americans-trust-media-remains-near-record-low.aspx

Schudson, M., & Flesher, V. (2019, March 6). The Fall, Rise, and Fall of Media Trust. Columbia Journalism Review. Retrieved September 17, 2023, from https://www.cjr.org/special_report/the-fall-rise-and-fall-of-media-trust.php