Question

The basic moral issue in journalism is reduced to the debate between “the public’s right to know” and “the individual’s right to privacy”. Has technology done away with our ability to have private lives? How has modern media changed the nature of free press? Has “fake news” changed the journalist’s mission of “pursuit of truth”?

Answer 1

Technology has very much eliminated our ability to have private lives. Because we are becoming increasingly dependent on technological mediums for our daily functioning and social interactions, we invariably end up sharing massive chunks of information about ourselves. What then follows is the use and misuse of our private data for commercial benefits or otherwise.

While modern media is allowing more freedom in expression of one’s views and opinions, it is also leading to unethical practices in reporting. There is little control over the nature and quality of news that is shared on online platforms due to which fake news is becoming highly prevalent. Another motivation to report fake news is driven by a desire to achieve maximum ‘likes’ and ‘shares’ which ordinary and regular news may not generate.