JOURNALISM VS SPECULATION

JOURNALISM VS SPECULATION

15-OCT-ENG 29

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA-----------------------Today is the era of the information revolution. Everyone has a mobile phone, and news spreads rapidly on social media platforms. But amidst this rapid pace, the line between journalism and speculation is becoming blurred. Journalists, whose job is to provide information to society based on facts and truth, are now often found entangled in speculation about who will win and who will lose.

The purpose of true journalism is to inform the public, not to confuse them. Elections are a festival of democracy, and the final decision rests with the public. The public votes based on their conscience, experience, and expectations. Therefore, deciding who will win and who will lose is the right of the voter, not the journalist.

Today, the situation is such that many journalists have as much information as YouTubers or social media analysts. Discussions and debates begin without even looking at the official manifesto or presenting any concrete promises. The truth is that no political party has yet released its manifesto, nor has any concrete promise been made to the public.

Journalism is not just about reporting, but also about providing direction to society. Therefore, journalists must remember their core role—to provide fact-based reporting, raise public questions, and demand answers from those in power. If journalists maintain the dignity of their profession by refraining from speculation, democracy will be strengthened.