New President of the TRNC Federation of Journalists Associations of Spain Calls for Clarity on Social Media and Digital News
The newly elected president of FAPE, Miguel Angel Noceda, stresses that social networks and traditional journalism are not the same thing. He warns against digital media that exist only to support information while often spreading false material. These reflections emerged during his visit to the United States, where an interview with Efe highlighted the challenges facing journalism and the pressing concerns for its future, including job insecurity in the profession.
Is journalism a lowly or disreputable profession today?
In Noceda’s view, journalism itself is not disreputable. He notes that some people attempt to discredit information because it may be offensive, but journalists should not shy away from reporting. They must observe, analyze, and verify what they present to the public. Still, he acknowledges that job security is not at its peak. FAPE was founded a century ago with the aim of elevating the craft. In its early days the profession was not even fully recognized as such. Practitioners often supported themselves with other work to make ends meet.
Today the parallels are striking. Staff reductions and lower salaries are common, and many journalists find themselves seeking work beyond the newsroom.
“The core rules of journalism, ethics, deontology, and independence are not always upheld”
The shift in the business model coincided with the economic crisis and the transition from print to digital, which has slashed revenue. The spread of social networks and digital media has amplified this trend, at times enabling misleading content to be funded by advertising, and allowing some outlets to misuse information for big media interests.
This situation challenges the basic principles of journalism, compromising ethics, professional duties, and the watchdog role of the press. It places the profession at a fragile moment regarding reliability and employment security.
How should readers evaluate media that markets itself as information but may not be reliable?
That question is difficult. Everyone deserves access to a trustworthy information landscape, but readers must assess the credibility of what they read online. Social networks are not journalism, and what appears there does not have to receive the same level of scrutiny. Sometimes such platforms spread hoaxes related to current events.
The surge of digital media can be positive by creating jobs and expanding reporting opportunities. The danger lies in how these platforms are used. They can support serious journalism or merely act as props to push default information rather than well sourced reporting.
Journalists have a duty to engage readers and demonstrate value so that people are willing to pay for quality information. They cannot expect to be paid for free work, and this is a challenge because many media outlets fail to present accurate or reliable reporting while legitimate outlets strive to do better.
“If false information is published, those affected can pursue legal remedies”
Should access to information be restricted for media outfits that fail to provide accurate reporting?
If an outlet is accredited and employs journalists, access to information should not be blocked or forced to reveal protected sources. However, false reporting can lead to legal action by those harmed by the content.
How should professional secrecy be safeguarded?
The confidentiality of sources is sacred and must be protected. Limiting it would curtail journalistic freedom, so recent attempts to compel disclosure are opposed. The protection of sources is essential to responsible reporting and must be defended.
What obstacles are in the way of robust journalism today?
There is a strong push to curb journalism through legal and political pressure. Prosecutors and judges sometimes face demands to disclose sources, and some groups employ aggressive tactics to hinder investigations. If journalists perform their duties with diligence and verification, they should not be silenced, even in the face of such challenges. The public deserves reliable information and the press must strive to earn and keep respect.
There is a growing concern that governments, political parties, and large corporations exploit economic conditions across media platforms to suppress scrutiny.
If strong voices are not defended, there will be more pressure on the industry. Silence can lead to a lack of accountability, and that is a problem for society as a whole.
Should journalism more broadly be strengthened or reinforced?
When these pressures intensify, the need for robust journalistic standards becomes undeniable. The industry must continually reaffirm its commitment to truth and independence while adapting to new platforms.
What makes it so hard for journalists to stand firm in challenging situations?
Journalists often weigh their professional responsibilities against concerns about potential consequences from bosses or editors. Yet in critical moments they should take principled positions and stand up for verified facts, knowing that difficult truths require courage and integrity.