Media workers should also raise their voices against these so-called social media journalists
SWABI: The rise of social media has brought about a lot of journalists. Every other person using social media is now a journalist, little knowing about the code of ethics that journalists are supposed to abide by.
There are hundreds of social media journalists who have been reporting in an irresponsible manner. Many have also been witnessed harassing public servants using the journalism card. Last week a man in Peshawar was arrested by the police for allegedly killing his niece. Social media reporters, after knowing about the arrest, made their way to the police station to interview the accused. As one can see online, none of the reporters followed the journalistic ethics. They kept asking inappropriate questions while overly exaggerating the scene. Interestingly, they didn’t even bother to blur the face of the accused, which amounts to a violation of the secrecy code.
Such reporters are wet behind the ears and their reporting not only hurts the true spirit of journalism but it can also affect police investigation by letting out sensitive information. The authorities concerned are required to take notice of all this. The print and electronic media workers should also raise their voices against these so-called social media journalists who are hell bent upon defaming the sacred profession of journalism.
Numan Bacha
Published in The Express Tribune, May 4th, 2020.
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