The Evolution of Journalism and Quality Journalism in the Context of Today

S. Pankayar Chelvi, V. Parimala devi

Disagreement; Communities; Democracy, Constituencies; Primary Motivator; Influential People; Production and Distribution Industry.

The goal of this research paper is to examine how our current conceptions of journalism and news have developed by examining a variety of elements that have influenced the evolution of journalism as we know it today. Before considering how we can anticipate our conceptions of journalism to evolve as the twenty-first century progresses, it will also consider recent advancements in the field of journalism. The nature and function of journalism in modern times are not well defined or without disagreement. There are those who argue that journalism plays a multitude of significant roles in any democracy. These include facilitating public awareness of the political, social, and economic spheres as well as guaranteeing political responsibility. Some contend that journalism is crucial to a society’s cultural life as well. Although it amuses and entertains us, it may also have a significant impact on how various communities and constituencies within society are shaped and reflected. Thus, journalism can contribute to the fabric of public life by acting as the social glue that unites communities and shapes our conception of identity (Anderson, 1983). Therefore, one could argue that journalism shapes identities more than it provides news in any objective sense since it aims to establish a symbolic ritual of connection with its audience (Carey, 1989). However, more critical evaluations of journalism emphasize how it contributes to the upholding of established power structures in society. This is related to the context and setting in which journalists work as well as the time and economic pressures they face, and it is not always the fault of the journalists themselves. In the past, journalists have worked for fiercely competing news organizations, where profit has always been the primary motivator. This makes journalism appear to represent certain principles that put the needs of those with the greatest financial gain from the news production and distribution industry first. According to certain theories (Chalaby, 1998; Herman & Chomsky, 1988), these values are actually a part of the strategies used by the most influential people in society to hold onto their positions of power by defining the purpose and role of journalism in ways that support and mirror their own interests. All of these viewpoints on journalism will be examined in this research paper in an effort to determine how our current understanding of journalism came to be. The goal is to gain a deeper understanding of why contemporary journalism is the way it is and what the future may hold for both it and us.

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