Examining the Role of Journalists in Spreading Misinformation

In the digital era’s cacophony of information, journalists and consumers alike find themselves navigating an increasingly complex landscape where falsehoods can spread with unprecedented speed. While journalists often shoulder the blame for misinformation, media experts argue that combating this crisis requires a mutual commitment between news producers and their audience.

“The solution requires a social contract with both sides having clear obligations,” say Gabby Jones and Emily Haas, student journalists at Milligan University. This partnership depends on journalists upholding rigorous standards while consumers develop media literacy and critical thinking skills.

For journalists, the obligation to truth remains paramount. At institutions like Milligan University, student reporters learn fundamental principles that guide ethical reporting, including the straightforward but essential directive known as DMSU — “don’t make stuff up.”

“If your mother says she loves you, check it out,” is another maxim drilled into journalism students, underscoring that even seemingly obvious facts require verification. This rigorous approach to accuracy extends to basic details that might seem trivial but are crucial to maintaining credibility, such as correctly spelling names and locations.

The Stampede, Milligan’s student newspaper, follows professional protocols similar to those employed by major media organizations. Their process begins with weekly editorial meetings where staff discuss campus events and issues meriting coverage. Reporters then conduct background research and seek multiple perspectives on each story.

Their fact-checking process is multi-layered. Reporters record interviews for accuracy, consult official university sources, and sometimes delve into archives. Once drafted, stories undergo review by both an editor and editor-in-chief, with reporters reviewing edits and addressing questions before publication.

For digital content, this process typically spans about a week and a half. Print editions receive additional scrutiny before publication. Despite these safeguards, the journalists acknowledge that errors can still occur, highlighting the human element in news production.

The rise of social media has dramatically transformed information consumption patterns, blurring lines between media producers and consumers. Every share, retweet, or forward represents a consequential decision that can either combat or contribute to misinformation.

“Each share is an act with potential consequences,” Jones and Haas note. “Sometimes that happens by accident; other times it happens intentionally.”

The journalists recommend applying basic verification questions before sharing content: What is the source? Is the intent to inform or to provoke emotional responses? These simple checks can help stem the tide of misinformation that often spreads through well-intentioned but uncritical sharing.

Media consumers bear responsibility for developing critical thinking skills that allow them to evaluate information quality. The relationship between journalists and their audience functions optimally when both parties prioritize accuracy over convenience and factual reporting over partisan narratives.

This growing emphasis on mutual responsibility comes at a critical time. A 2023 Reuters Institute Digital News Report found that trust in news media continues to decline globally, with only 40% of respondents expressing general trust in most news organizations. Meanwhile, a Pew Research Center study revealed that 48% of Americans regularly encounter news on social media platforms, where verification standards vary widely.

Media literacy educators point to this dynamic as evidence that addressing misinformation requires systemic change involving both improved journalistic practices and enhanced consumer education.

As information ecosystems grow increasingly fragmented, the traditional gatekeeping role of journalism has evolved. The commitment to journalistic ideals now extends beyond newsrooms to include all participants in the information landscape. This shared responsibility model suggests that consumers must approach information consumption not as passive receivers but as active participants in maintaining a healthy information environment.