Fake News and Journalism Education

In a contested information environment, the phrase ‘fake news’ represents the existential challenge to journalists dealing with an audience losing its faith in what journalism does. The traditional role of the Fourth Estate and the responsibilities to inform and keep those in power accountable, are now constantly undermined by a determined counter-offensive that purports to show ‘truth’ and ‘accuracy’ are pliable concepts in the hands of the mainstream media. Journalism educators have to confront this dilemma head-on and affirm within the classroom the priority of the basic tenets of the job – not just reporting accurately and capturing balance, but committing to a process of verification that shows the rigour behind the best kind of journalism. This embrace of traditional journalism’s foundation skills is at the heart of re-establishing the credibility of the job, initially with students, and then, with the community.