News, the Mass Media and How True it All Is

A single person cannot expect to be omniscient, and his wealth of knowledge is often derived from a wide gallimaufry of sources. It is undeniable that reports and coverage of national or global events, or any occurrence deemed worthy by the mass media to turn attention to, become the common man's window to the world. If information is disseminated to such an extensive audience, a claim that it is an elaborate lie, or at least a heavily embellished truth, must be to a large degree discredited.

First, when one takes into consideration the essential role of the media in its publication of news, the intent to inform becomes foremost in one's mind. Events such as wars, natural disasters or rioting occur all over the globe, and it is the function of the news to inform people of these occurrences. On may argue that reports of the events may not necessarily be accurate, but that certainly puts news reporters and agencies in a dubious light. To function as the chief wellspring of information, credibility plays a big role in the news, for it has the responsibility to live up to its function for a nation. Take for instance the 2005 tsunami that devastated the shores of Southeast Asian nations. That certainly made frontline news. Moreover it can be said that close to every mainstream newspaper, radio station, or television news channel includes its own version of the story. Yet despite the multifarious sources of news, the essential report of the disaster was the same, and through cross-referencing these sources, a sense of credibility can no doubt be attained. Hence it is evident that such world-shaking news is difficult to be manipulated, in light of the extent of international news coverage by multitudes of news reporters from all corners of the globe. Any discrepancy in the reported information can be easily sifted out and either validated or discredited. In a speech in October of 2005, the then Prime Minister Mr Goh Chok Tong asserted that one of the intentions in establishing the "Today" paper was to promote competition and also ascertain credibility among local newspapers. When news makes it big, one can thus judge for a fact that it is in all probability an accurate account of the existing facts.

In addition to its role in reporting events, the news can also function as a tool for public education, to spread facts or announcements as efficiently as possible. In this aspect, one can hardly assert that such news is biased or untrue, if they have no reason or evidence of such. When the avian influenza or eve the Severe Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) became a health hazard, the newspapers and television channels made extensive reports on the viruses to educate the local public. The Singapore Straits Times provided essential information with regards to the signs and symptoms of infection, and reports on how the government was planning to control the situation and prevent a widespread pandemic. These news reports were based solely on facts (medical or otherwise) and were to the best of everyone's knowledge, completely reliable. In alerting the public on the existence of possible threats, and educating them on the best way of response, news takes its material from the standing facts and merely passes on the knowledge to the waiting public. Public announcements in the news, including the local government's decision to close all schools for a specific time period, were also made known to the masses through the news channels and newspapers. Hence, when passing on facts or reports from a higher source, and educating the public, news becomes strictly reliable. Any fallacies in reporting would be detrimental as false fear or alarms could spread at a fantastic pace.

Moreover, news can serve as the societal watchdog, especially over a country's ruling party. Whatever it reveals about organizations or even the government can be easily and rapidly verified, and disproved if needs be. Time and time again the vigilance of reporters has served its purpose, and investigative journalism has brought revealing and appalling news reports on cases of corruption in numerous areas. It will be difficult to find an individual who has never heard of the illicit Clinton affair or of the infamous blue dress worn by his mistress. If then US President Clinton had been able to prove the disreputable allegations false, one can rest assured that he would have. He was clearly guilty, however, and the news of the affair was confirmed through rigorous investigation into the case. Closer to home, many Singaporeans will call to mind the infamous T.T. Durai and what is now colloquially termed the great 'NKF Saga'. Indeed, if Durai of the National Kidney Foundation had been falsely accused, no doubt his reputation would not be in the shameful state it is now. Once again, news proves itself worthy of the public's trust, by revealing the dirty scandals of society's prominent figures and institutions.

However, to believe all news with a blind and total conviction can also be a grave mistake. While the news can bring factual reports and up-to-date information on the regional economy and sporting events, there are other types of news that prefer to dabble in the more sensational, attention-grabbing situations. Gossip columns in newspapers and magazines, plus insights on the latest celebrity scandal also find their place under the broad category of 'news'. From a single suspicious find, stories can be weaved and situations blown out of proportion, in order to appeal to a wide audience eager to be horrified or thrilled. Sensationalism is now a new or unheard-of concept in the news world. Moreover, news can also be twisted and distorted to represent a biased view of an event. When Rupert Murdoch, the Australian news mogul, finally bought over Wall Street Journal, thousands of disgruntled Americans expressed their chagrin, fearing the Wall Street Journal would prove less if a reliable information source, and more of another 'Americanized' product. Clearly their objections involved the possible decrease in news reliability and of proper content. Their fears are not unfounded, for often enough Mr Murdoch's Fox news corporation has proven to prefer providing exaggerated reports on facetious topics, as opposed to proper and reliable content. In light of this, one must always take care to practice discretion when receiving news of any kind. More often than not, news can be trusted, but this does not mean that it cannot be manipulated and embellished by the news organizations in order to incite interest and a wider audience.

Another point to note is that while news may be true in all ostensible aspects, not the whole truth may have been published. Not all fiction is necessarily bad, just as not all truth is necessarily good, and at times it may be more apposite for a newspaper to publish censored information in half-truths for the protection of societal stability and well-being. For instance, when the video of Nick Berg was much available from the Al Qaeda, news channels had to decide how much they were wiling to reveal, for fear of causing unintended panic and fear amongst viewers. In similar instances, when it comes to state secrets and affairs, news cannot be expected to provide every aspect of the truth, for fear of endangering a country or individual's security. While news must serve to inform and reveal, news also bears the responsibility to protect the society it serves. Hence, names of interviewees and victims of events reported in news are often changed to protect and conceal identity, for the good of the individual and by extension, the general stability of a society. Bearing in mind that the news may contain half-truths, this does not discredit news completely, for in essence, the vast majority of public news is often proven reliable and accurate.

In conclusion, news cannot be taken and viewed as a simplistic means of communication, and must be considered in light of its multiple faceted functions and intentions in society. News takes different forms and can be intended for a variety of purposes, but the primary aim of most news still stands to inform and elucidate its audience. Man makes the news, hence he must also be the judge of the news, and realize that while not all news is necessarily fiction, it is sometimes necessary to practice caution with the truth.