By Raychael Moseley / Managing Editor

Journalism is supposed to be built on truth, verification and trust, but these values are being weakened by social media. Platforms like X and Facebook have changed the way news is shared, but it’s not for the better. 

The biggest issue today is speed; social media has created a culture where being first matters more than being right. Journalists now compete with millions of users posting almost instantly, which leads to rushed reporting and mistakes.  When accuracy takes a backseat, credibility suffers. 

Misinformation makes this even worse. False information is much harder to correct. Especially when social media spreads it fast. When audiences can’t tell what is real, trust in journalists declines.

Social media also changes what stories people see. The algorithm doesn’t care if it’s true; it cares if it’s getting clicks. Because of this, important stories can be overlooked, and sensational stories take the forefront. It shifts journalism from informing the public to chasing attention. 

Some would argue that it gives more people a voice, but not every voice follows a standard, and some people shouldn’t be given a platform. The line between fact and opinion has become blurred. 

Social media may make news faster and more accessible, but the benefits do not outweigh the damage. If journalism wants to keep its integrity, it cannot let platforms built on speed and popularity control how news is reported. 

Journalism is not about going viral, it’s about getting it right.