Despite the number of times that columnists and broadcasters, including me, talk about the difference between news and commentary, there continues to be a blurring of lines. So much so that many are referring to this decade as the “post-truth era” in media.
It is defined by the dominance of emotion and personal belief over objective facts, with media — especially social media — playing a central role in spreading and amplifying misinformation.
I come from a world where the top and bottom of the hour news contained no opinion and only the news. Talk show commentary, by hosts, often carried a disclaimer that indicated clearly that the conversation broadcast was the opinion of the host and the guests/callers. The disclaimer was sometimes front and center and other times subtle and somewhat hidden, but it was there. There remain a couple of national shows that identify the difference, and some local shows do likewise. It isn’t consistent, and it isn’t a standard. It is more rare than not.
The good news, if those are the right words to use in this regard, is that the shows on those stations are talking to a passionate audience that agrees with them and believes in most of what’s said by the hosts. The talent and the audience are in an echo chamber, regardless of political leanings, which magnifies the passion of the audience. It also creates a loyalty that encourages daily listening. On the other hand, it is sometimes an incubator for misinformation.
The post-truth era is characterized by the diminishing influence of objective facts in shaping public opinion, where personal beliefs and emotions often outweigh evidence-based information in public discourse. This phenomenon has been accelerated by societal trends such as declining social capital, economic inequality, political polarization, and reduced trust in science and institutions.
The greatest purveyor of misinformation isn’t radio. Social media platforms are central to the post-truth landscape. Algorithms prioritize content likely to engage users, often favoring sensational, provocative, or emotionally charged information over factual accuracy. Features like infinite scrolling, autoplay, and personalized feeds contribute to the creation of electronic echo chambers and filter bubbles, where users are primarily exposed to information that reinforces their existing beliefs, increasing polarization — much more so than what’s heard on the radio.
Traditional journalism is challenged in this environment. Scholars argue that journalists act not as absolute truth-keepers but as truth mediators, facilitating public debate and establishing the credibility of information through professional standards. The truth value of news becomes an unstable outcome diminishing our medium’s credibility, and creates critical debate, rather than presenting a fixed fact.
Media history provides insight into the post-truth era by showing how media has historically shaped public opinion and societal norms. Understanding past propaganda, mass communication, and media regulation helps contextualize current challenges and highlights the importance of media literacy in navigating misinformation. What we didn’t have in the past, which we have today, is many outlets for content and cross platform distribution.
Turning to the internet itself for comments from educators and media opinion leaders, there is a suggestion that those committed to truth will focus on a combination of technological, educational, and societal approaches to counter misinformation. I’m not sure that I agree with that, but I do believe that we as a media platform have an obligation to be truthful, transparent, and identify opinion as such.
Transparency and Accuracy Online: Designing digital platforms based on journalistic principles to reduce the spread of false information. The First Amendment is our crucible, but for honest and accurate reporting. It doesn’t have to be balanced, but it has to be truthful.
Practices & Policies: Educate our reporters and anchors to critically evaluate sources, understand media history, and recognize biases. Don’t be in a rush to get a story on the air if you don’t have the facts.
Promoting Transparency and Accountability: Encouraging platforms and journalists to adopt practices that enhance credibility and public trust.
Remember that our audience depends on us to be the one location where there is credibility, truth, and honesty. “Depend On” should be more than a slogan.
In the post-truth era, media — particularly social media — plays a pivotal role in shaping public perception, often amplifying misinformation and reinforcing biases. Addressing these challenges requires critical media literacy, responsible journalism, and technological interventions to foster a more informed and resilient public sphere.
Responsibility belongs above ratings and revenue.
