3 ways to shun fake news

3 ways to shun fake news

BY MUSYOKA NGUI

Today I will address the phenomenon of fake news in media.  Media personnel get criticised for covering events and news in a biased manner. Sometimes, they are interested parties in the news they cover. Sometimes they are not.

When the journalist is an interested party in the story, they should state clearly and from the outset. Sometimes the caveat is emptied by intelligent readers who point fingers that this reporter is leaning to that side. This damages reputation of the journalist. One act of misrepresentation of facts and unprofessional conduct can ruin years of reputation in the media and a lot of hard work goes to waste. Sometimes this happens in seconds while other times it’s a matter of what will go wrong will go wrong no matter how many times the reporter is called out by his/her supervisor.

The media have a unique privilege to sit on the fence and watch society act without taking sides. But when journalists take sides, the situation is antagonized and for most part, the work of the journalist goes to waste.

NEWS SOURCE

To counter fake news, the audience has to check a few points I’ll highlight here. First, check the source. Is the source credible or it isn’t? News must be supported by credible sources that can be verified if the need for verification comes up. That is why journalists must have enough back up. This could be tape recordings, audio, visual or pictorial. Reporters everywhere must have enough memory that backs up evidence to support their stories.

Some news sources say “I didn’t say that”, or like Shaggy, “it wasn’t me”. That’s the time for the reporter to replay their supporting news clip, photo or other form of evidence in place. Sometimes, like today, journalist are sued, they might end up paying a lot of money for defamation for lies made against them by malicious sources. That’s the time that one’s backup comes up to save the reporter.

Does the news source have authority to convey the statements that the source wants the media to run? As a matter of courtesy, reporters ought to get clearances from the managers, supervisors and heads of institutions they cover. Of course, this is after public interest is considered. Public interest override the cover story the managers of institutions want the media to run. Don’t quote an insider and the insider loses their job for being unauthorised persons to comment on office matters.

MEDIA OWNER

Second, in order to verify the authenticity of news you read, ensure that you know the sponsor, donor and/or owner. Some reporters don’t cover their donors when they commit bad news. They turn a blind eye. This is the time for audience to shun news organizations and reporters who turn a blind eye on their organizations who commit sins to the public and the reporters know and don’t speak out. State media are known to do PR and run State’s cover stories and shun hard news that are of concern to civilians. Issues like public services, public resources and matters that affect the citizens directly should be given priority. These include use of government revenue, facilities and service to civilians by persons paid by government to serve the public. Let’s face it, the citizens run the government. Government doesn’t perform charity or gifting to loyal citizens. Even dissidents pay taxes and deserve quality services just as yes men and yes women who support the government.

Some media are known to support or/and oppose government. That in mind, the public should compare news media and adopt the objective media not the subjective ones. Media is not activism. Media is not PR. Media has ethics and code of conduct that must be followed and those who don’t should ship out. Like Njoki Chege opined last Saturday in Daily Nation, the audience are intelligent enough to read the news and form an opinion for or against the news and the reporter.

DO YOUR HOMEWORK

Do your homework. A reporter should be able and willing to check archives and history to read the nature of the story and understand what they are dealing with. Sources will lie to you. Sources will peddle their propaganda and agenda via your news organization. Don’t accept to be the conduit. When you are told that the paint is wet, touch and confirm first before writing. Let news sources earn your trust and double check prominent spin doctors and liars.

Above everything, be honest. Honesty is the best policy. Treat others how you would like to be treated and don’t abuse your position. If they kick you out, at least ensure that you delivered your duty and understand that no one is irreplaceable.  Don’t be the conduit of fake news.