Journalism is not just about reporting the news. It is about being the eyes, ears, and memory of society. Television programming is not just about getting high ratings. It is about taking on the responsibility of informing the public, fairly representing different viewpoints, and fulfilling a social responsibility.
However, these fundamental principles have become increasingly controversial in recent times. The line between news and commentary is blurring, and information and propaganda are becoming intertwined. On some news outlets, anger is stoked instead of seeking the truth, and in some opinion columns, partisanship takes precedence over asking questions.
Yet the first requirement of journalism is loyalty to the truth. A journalist seeks the truth, not information that pleases him or her. Even if it does not align with his or her own views, a journalist does not shy away from reporting the truth. Because a journalist’s duty is not to persuade, but to inform.
The situation is no different in television programming. When the screen becomes a stage for personal feuds or political polarization, the public interest suffers. Guest selection, the nature of questions, the language of the broadcast, and news presentation—all are part of ethical responsibility. A producer may stoke tension for the sake of ratings. However, the cost of eroding public trust for the sake of short-term interest is far greater.
Freedom of the press is one of the indispensable elements of democracy. However, freedom and responsibility cannot be considered separately. Spreading misinformation, violating personal rights, presenting unverified claims as facts, or singling out individuals for criticism is not freedom of the press. These are abuses of that freedom.
The public’s trust in journalists isn’t built in a day; it’s built over the years. But it can be easily destroyed by just a few irresponsible publications. That’s why the most valuable asset in journalism isn’t ratings, circulation, or the number of followers—it’s credibility.
In conclusion, journalism and television programming are not spheres of power, but public services. The true value of television screens and newspaper columns should be measured not by how much noise they make, but by how faithful they remain to the truth. Because when the truth is lost, it is not only journalism that suffers, but also the collective conscience of society.