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The brutal torture and murder of US-based Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi has drawn attention to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is said to have ordered the badbadination. It also highlights the dangers of the news sector. When the final figures are counted, 2018 could be the most dangerous year ever recorded for journalists around the world.
But if physical attacks against journalists have become terribly daring – and the killing of Khashoggi is perhaps the most daring to date – most of the dangers facing the profession are far more mundane. Five stand out.
First, the number of job opportunities is declining and jobs are characterized by low wages, permanent job insecurity and limited opportunities for advancement. In the United States, for example, employment in newsrooms has declined by almost a quarter in less than 10 years, while enrollment in the best journalism schools has declined more recently.
Secondly, "Big Tech" is a new competitor company competing to attract limited talent. Journalism requires people skilled in technology to conduct investigative reporting projects and manage the digital transition of the industry. But for the moment, most computer engineers see a better future with platform companies such as Facebook and Google, which can offer higher wages, higher job security and a better work-life balance. personal life, even the biggest media.
Thirdly, journalism is much less prestigious than it was before. Years ago, foreign correspondents hit by bad weather on television or on the front pages of major newspapers seduced young reporters. And, although most of us who have bitten on the hook have never ventured further than City Hall, we were nevertheless motivated by the noble mission of holding the accounts to account. powerful. But in today's distributed social media environment, foreign correspondents are rare and media "influencers" are more likely to be pop stars than fools.
Fourth, even as wages and prestige decline, the pressure in newsrooms is increasing. When a "small" journalist joins a media company today, the ability to write a quality copy is no longer sufficient; Young journalists must also have audio and video skills, data journalism skills and in-depth knowledge of social media. These skills could lead to better information products, but no one is good at all. Requiring them to do so and imposing infinite demands on them could encourage journalists to leave the profession.
Finally, the relentless rhetorical attacks of leaders like US President Donald Trump against the mainstream media, whose story of "false news" is about the credibility of the profession – have an effect. While confidence in the news media has increased in recent polls, the constant vilification of the integrity and intelligence of journalists threatens to undermine the profession.
Together, these five challenges weigh heavily on the information sector, posing a risk to democracy itself. Without free and independent media, citizens can not make informed decisions. In fact, when professional journalism is absent, people can easily get lost in a labyrinth of often unreliable information, or even fall prey to self-proclaimed and interest-motivated propaganda and propaganda. Journalism is the compbad of democracy; we have to find a way to recalibrate it.
First and foremost, journalists need protection. This means not only ensuring their security, but also their ability to access information and communicate their findings without fear of reprisal. At a minimum, attacks against journalists such as Khashoggi should be thoroughly investigated and their perpetrators judged and condemned by the international community.
And yet, media support must go beyond punishing those who have the audacity to kill a journalist. For example, more programs are needed to help feed young talent. Governments could offer grants, tax breaks, and sponsor journalism and new media training initiatives. Future journalists need models, but they also need technical skills to become models themselves.
Perhaps most important, media advocates around the world must strive to increase media literacy. Information consumers need to understand how journalism works, how journalists practice their profession and why professional media are essential elements of a successful democracy. As long as the public does not value the results of professional journalists, the next big challenge of journalism will be the shortage of talent. This could prove to be the most important at the moment.
Alexandra Borchardt is director of leadership programs at the Reuters Institute for Journalism Studies.
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