Media Between Power and Powerlessness
How Can Journalism Regain Trust?
Digital disruption, economic crisis factors, additional burdens, global polycrises, and polarizing tendencies in society pose major challenges for media professionals every day. From once being a powerful gatekeeper and guarantor of public opinion to shaken trust and widespread news fatigue among parts of the population, journalism has undergone profound change since the 2000s. Yet now, in times of disinformation and conspiracy narratives, core journalistic skills such as thorough research and professional source verification are more important than ever for society. How can journalism regain trust? Rainer Nübel and Daniel Rölle, who co-authored the book “Medien zwischen Macht und Ohnmacht” (Media between Power and Powerlessness) with Nadia Zaboura, published in July, argue that journalists should be more vocal about the fact that one of their main functions is to critically support democratic civil society.
