Today, I am reflecting on the challenge of identifying credible news sources. Social media platforms are increasingly populated with individuals spreading misinformation and propaganda, engaging in contentious exchanges that obscure reality. Meanwhile, access to reliable news is often limited or heavily restricted.
Facebook, X, and Instagram increasingly resemble tabloids rather than dependable sources of information.
There appears to be greater public interest in the activities of Justin and Katy Perry, or in updates regarding Carney's appearance or Poilievre's grooming choices.
When I started my writing career in the 1980s, news coverage was distinct from lighter human-interest stories, which were typically placed on the back pages or reserved as concluding segments on late night television and radio broadcasts. Television networks and newspapers allocated substantial resources to investigative journalism, prioritising in-depth analysis and thorough reporting on current events.
With this capability, media outlets—whether print, television, or audio—had established themselves as consistent and credible watchdogs over the operations of government and private industry.
Today, the approach has shifted. Governments prioritize impactful photo opportunities, while businesses often prefer discretion and indirect communication. This is largely due to global media operations being influenced by interconnected capitalist interests, which contribute to contemporary challenges and shape public news coverage in a particular direction.
In the United States, President Trump has taken steps to reduce funding for PBS and other public broadcasting entities. Meanwhile, in Canada, Pierre Poilievre has been vocally advocating for the discontinuation of CBC operations.
The underlying issue may be attributed to the fact that new media often promotes a populace that relies on propaganda, distorted facts, political spectacle, and information of limited substantive value.
My former supervisor regarded this perspective as somewhat severe; however, the Occupy Wall Street Movement serves as a relevant illustration. Initially, public awareness of the movement was minimal until The Daily Show began covering it extensively. Subsequently, the movement gained widespread attention, but, over time, negative media coverage and leadership challenges within the organization contributed to its decline.
Comedy is inherently designed to challenge conventions and address contemporary issues through humor. Consequently, much of the investigative research in this domain is conducted by teams from programs such as The Daily Show, Colbert, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, and, in Canada, This Hour Has 22 Minutes. It appears that he investigative journalism that once was mainstream is relegated to comedy performance.
My writing likely isn't what most people seek if they're looking for entertainment or drama, as that's what the news has largely become. Instead, I try to focus on genuine issues facing our society—such as housing, hunger, inadequate education, public debt, and many other challenges that require meaningful solutions, not just superficial photo opportunities or polished media coverage.
Canada would benefit from a focus on constructive solutions rather than unnecessary controversy. The public is likely to seek substantive improvements over time, rather than being influenced indefinitely by corporate-owned media narratives.
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