In a strange twist of fate, the very 24-hour news cycle we live in has left a gaping hole where accurate information about that topic should be found. Yet simply gathering and presenting these undisputed facts has become an almost insurmountable task. This is our biggest challenge, because there just aren’t any data out there. This lack of reporting touches upon a far greater peril pertaining to the voids in information fostered by media reporting.
Without this level of detail, it will be difficult for them to meaningfully inform the public. Further, it emphasizes the importance of trusted resources. Without concrete facts or context, it becomes increasingly difficult to engage readers or provide them with the insights they seek. We have more work to do. Yet the nature of news reporting is that without the hard data, the story goes untold.
The Importance of Reliable Information
The pursuit of reliable information lies at the heart of quality journalism. It can help reporters create the nuanced stories that inspire empathy and encourage their audiences to learn and engage. Regrettably, on this occasion, the disappearance of our muse has created an enormous void. Without any real substance, details or context there’s not much to engage with or critique.
This moment represents a wider trend across media ecosystems, forcing some issues to stay overlooked or even completely in the dark. Community journalists need a wide variety of sources to paint complete, compelling narratives. Absent those sources, they fail to connect the dots in a compelling way.
Challenges in Media Reporting
This deficit in reporting on such an important subject comes from a systemic failure in our industry. Yet reporters often walk into situations with little to no other coverage and little to no existing documentation. Yet this absence can be attributed to a few reasons. These can range from a lack of study, to a lack of access to information, to just ignoring the topic altogether.
As journalists strive to uphold their responsibility to inform the public, they are often confronted with the reality of unavailability. Lack of accountability in reporting. The failure to provide accurate information on a critically important topic erodes the quality, credibility and honesty of the reporting labyrinth. It offers a powerful reminder to rethink the way issues like climate change, sustainability, or social equity are prioritized and discussed in our newsrooms.
Moving Forward
Given this reality, it is critically important for media makers to push for transparency and accessibility of public information. Fostering relationships with communities of color, local institutions, and subject matter experts will allow you to close the gap that exists between underreported subjects and public knowledge. By cultivating these new channels of communications, journalists can better pursue the truths that must otherwise be dragged into the daylight.
Reporters walk the most interesting tightrope in all of journalism. Society must do its part by demanding accountability and more rigor in reporting. As we know, the more informed people are able to deal with today’s complex world, the better off we all are.
