BESPEAKING “TRUST” IN A POST-TRUTH JOURNALISM ERA
The emergence of varieties of information and communication technologies has birthed an avalanche of unregulated news sources in today's information-society. An associated untoward consequence on journalism is that the pristine principle of trustworthiness in news and information gathering and dissemination has been practically overturned. This has extensively vitiated the crucial essence of journalism to society hence, the paper decries dishonest reportage occasioned by undiscerning reliance on new-found news gathering procedures and technologies having a distractive effect on professional journalism. It argues that the gamut of mainstream media cannot but take practical steps to uphold its time-honoured watchdogging role in society and emphasizes the values of truth and credibility as precursors of trust, the conventional journalism practitioner must earn from society. The paper holds that only in so doing, would practitioners be able to regain for journalism, its pride of place as society's authentic information wellspring. Data supporting this position were obtained through desk research methodology.
Keywords: Post-truth, Journalism, Truth, Credibility, Trust