PART OF THE SOLUTION
The efforts to address this insidious and global threat requires a multilayered response involving government, legislation and enforcement, education, and the work of other stakeholders such as independent fact-checkers and civil society organisations.
But the role of traditional or mainstream news and media organisations cannot be understated.
A credible and trusted news media ecosystem can and should function as a source of factual data for a country. The systems and processes, editorial oversight and integrity, and multiple layers of fact-checking and editing that should be part of any news organisation provide greater assurance compared to less professional platforms such as blogs that purport to be “citizen journalists”.
The question then is how journalism can reclaim and maintain a trusted position in society. This could be especially tricky in a country like Singapore where the media has often faced criticisms of being state-controlled and hence biased.
There have been a few solutions proposed by industry players in recent years, including a focus on producing products that target digital natives in their natural online habitat and offering more video and visual content that can be consumed on the go.
But I believe that a key factor will be a renewed emphasis on top quality content and excellent journalism, be it written or broadcast, that draws the audience in with compelling storytelling about issues that matter. This should include reporting that is fair and objective, and which is focused on bringing the truth to light.
It may sound simple, but is sometimes hard to execute if the focus is purely on boosting clicks from a fickle audience base, or chasing advertising dollars.
Given the critical role that journalism and the news industry plays in all societies, achieving this might be one of the most important objectives for countries in the years ahead.
Nicholas Fang is a former journalist and news editor and has worked across print, broadcast and digital platforms. A former nominated member of parliament, he is founder and managing director of Black Dot Research, a market and social research agency that runs an independent fact-checking platform.
