Journalism's Fight Now Is Against Fake News
Francesca Folda, Director of Global Communication of Amani Institute, Italy, on why it is imperative to tackle fake news
Ms Folda explaining what it takes to be a new-age journalist to the students of National School of Journalism
NSOJ Bureau
The influx of social media has made it impossible to differentiate between fake and real news. "Some (news reports/ videos) are real, some are totally fake, some are manipulated, and some are real pictures that refer to something that happened three years ago," said Francesca Folda, Director of Global Communication, the Amani Institute, Italy at a talk at the National School of Journalism (NSoJ) in Bangalore.
To tackle this influx of ‘fake’ news, news organisations like the BBC have introduced intense protocols to fact-check data, she said. Ms Folda, urged young journalists to revisit traditional forms of journalism while showing pictures of a typewriter and printing press. "The validation for an individual in this profession is when their work becomes tangible, that will be in people's hands," she said.
Ms Folda, explained that the period 2004-2007 was crucial for the development of online media. “Then, three things happened -- YouTube, Facebook, and iPhones. These changed the course of journalism." After the 2005 London Tube attacks, media houses received tons of pictures from witnesses. That is an example of how social media has multiplied the possibility of public participation in journalism, she pointed out.
She emphasised various aspects of the profession, from the impact of social media to sensitively handling human sentiments on the field. Student journalists also need to know the business model behind a newsroom while focusing on their reporting. “Even if you are a pure journalist, money (how the media houses make it) matters. It is not about conditioning the writing according to whether a story will ‘make’ money, it is about awareness," she said.
Facts and Opinions
"Should we show videos of terrorists beheading people?" she asked. The decision to publish sensitive images/news ultimately lies in the deep-rooted values of a journalist and their news agency. Fact separated from opinion was her mantra throughout her career, Ms Folda stated. “But social media has blurred the lines between the two. At the same time, public opinion communicated through social networking sites has led to positive phenomena like ‘The Green Revolution in Iran’ and ‘The Arab Spring’," she pointed out. She ended by telling students that journalism is also hard work. "Journalism is not just about writing, it is also about going through 100-page documents and a million pictures, to get the appropriate data."
Ms Folda announced that The Amani group will collaborate with the National School of Journalism (NSoJ) to organise a national-level conference on careers in the impact sectors. The event will be held at the college, on September 7th and will feature eminent speakers from various backgrounds.
