In today’s digital world, anyone with a phone or laptop can access the internet and publish information online. As more voices fill the internet, it is not always clear who is reporting facts and who is sharing personal views.
Bloggers tend to write about their thoughts, opinions, and personal experiences online, while most journalists focus on reporting news accurately, verifying facts, and adhering to journalistic ethics before publishing a story.
Bloggers are a one-man show. They are not expected to follow any ethical guidelines. When they write, they are free to say whatever makes sense to them. They do not have to worry about fact-checking, news reporting, or following any ethical rules. Once they are done writing their blog posts, they press upload and their personal thoughts are published online for anyone to see.
Journalists, on the other hand, have to follow a strict code of ethics, which shapes how they write about a topic and how and why they inform the public. Almost all articles published by journalists are neutral, with no personal opinion or values seeping through the writing. They do this to remain trustworthy and factual, reporting only fact-based information to inform the public and allow them to form their own opinions on the topic. Based on the code of ethics, a journalist’s job is to seek the truth and report it.
The problem begins when audiences treat these roles as the same.
A clear example is Joe Rogan, a podcaster with a large following, especially among young adults. On “The Joe Rogan Experience,” he discusses topics such as health, politics, and controversial issues. His influence leads many listeners to view him as a trusted source.
However, Rogan is not a journalist. His content focuses on conversation and opinion rather than verified reporting. He does not follow the same fact-checking standards or ethical guidelines used in journalism. While his platform can be engaging and thought-provoking, it should be understood for what it is.
Bloggers are interesting to read and watch for entertainment, but they should not be considered journalists or even a reliable source for important information. Bloggers can offer fresh perspectives and spark important discussions. Their voices add diversity to online conversations. However, they should not replace journalists when it comes to reliable information. They use bias, feed into conspircies and do not use credible arguments regarding the topic they are speaking on.
Journalist reports only fact-based information from verified sources to inform the public. They remain neutral in their reporting and let the audience form their own opinions based on the facts provided.
Journalists rely on verified facts to build accurate reports, while bloggers without formal training may focus on details that are more interesting or engaging to their audience.
Although journalists usually follow ethical codes and journalistic standards, there have been exceptions in which they did not meet those expectations. Recently, The New York Times Serial Productions podcast published an episode called “The Idiot,” in which the journalist shares a story about his personal life, a practice considered unethical in journalism.
Readers have a responsibility. It is important to question what we see online. Not everything that sounds convincing is accurate. Before sharing information, ask where it comes from and whether it has been verified.
In a world where anyone can publish, being informed matters more than ever.