The rise of social media has changed the way information is shared. Nowadays anyone with a smartphone and internet connection can document an event or write a post and label themselves as a “journalist.”
This has made information readily available but the individuals who share the information are untrained and have no accountability for the content they share. Platforms like Tiktok and Instagram have made everyday users become creators of news.
A video captured in a moment can easily circulate and reach thousands of viewers before any professional journalist has the ability to access and verify the accuracy of the video.
The speed at which information spreads is tremendous but unfortunately accuracy falls by the wayside. Many users prefer sharing unconfirmed stories just for the sake of likes and followers, hoping that they will also go viral.
This lack of accountability becomes a menace during critical events such as elections and protests. Rumors can circulate faster than verified facts, edited videos can mislead the public and personal opinions can be presented as urgent news.
Anyone can use Deep Fake to create fake character saying a false narrative. Reputations and the entire community can be harmed within minutes while those responsible can just delete posts and vanish without consequence.
Professional journalist adheres to ethical guidelines such as verification of sources and protecting identities. Media organizations can issue correction and face public criticization. But who holds a Tiktok creator responsible for spreading misinformation? It is important to acknowledge that citizen journalism has brought about change by shedding light on stories that mainstream media may overlook, but lack of formal training can cause harm by sharing inaccurate information
