The Alarming Rise of Amateur News Portals: A Threat to Professional Journalism

Tariq Bhat 

The  recent surge in the number of news portals launched by individuals from various non-journalistic professions—doctors, engineers, employees, street vendors, shopkeepers, politicians, and social workers—is a troubling trend that threatens the authenticity and professionalism of journalism.

 

This phenomenon raises critical questions about the future of credible news and the very essence of journalistic integrity.

 

 

 

Not long ago, the credibility of news was upheld by seasoned journalists, dedicated newsmakers, and diligent editors. However, the advent of these amateur news platforms, often filled with copied content, has significantly undermined the work of professional writers and news outlets.

 

 

 

It is disheartening to see the lines between genuine journalism and self-promotion blur as these individuals use news portals as a means to further their own agendas.

 

 

 

One of the most concerning aspects of this trend is the involvement of politicians. It appears that some have established their own news portals primarily for self-publicity, circumventing the scrutiny and tough questions traditionally posed by journalists. This raises the pivotal question: if journalists are sidelined, who will hold these figures accountable?

 

 

 

 

 

In one glaring example, a businessman-turned-politician launched a news platform where he grants himself interviews every other day, ensuring he stays in the limelight.

 

 

 

This strategy not only dilutes the integrity of news but also manipulates public perception. It is a blatant disregard for the principles of unbiased and objective reporting, which are cornerstones of professional journalism.

 

 

 

 

This situation can be seen as nothing short of a direct assault on the values of professional journalism. The unchecked rise of these portals diminishes the role of trained journalists, who are being overshadowed by individuals with no grounding in the ethics or skills required for responsible reporting. The once-sacrosanct platform for holding power to account is now being co-opted by those in power themselves.

 

 

 

As media houses and journalists grapple with this alarming situation, it becomes imperative to call for stricter regulations and a collective effort to preserve the sanctity of professional journalism. Without such measures, the role of the press as the fourth pillar of democracy could be at grave risk, leaving a void where there was once trust, credibility, and truth.