Truth in Reporting 

Technology has changed the work of communicators and influenced the training they need largely due to the presence of social media. Prior to social media the journalist was faced with obtaining the story and reporting it to the news agency for release. Newspapers and news magazines were the primary way news was reported. This process would allow the journalist to research the story for the facts and then report it accordingly.

Social media has changed all this. Now stories are reported so quickly, sometimes there is very little research prior to release. Many times, the journalist is catching up to a story that has already happened. I saw this happen in real time just yesterday (07/29/23) at the Orange County Fair. Several people, including me, saw someone who appeared to be “Bad Bunny” the Rap Star at the fair last night. Within minutes of his appearance, people posted this information on social media. On Sunday morning, it was reported on the local news that the person who was spotted by fans was not “Bad Bunny.” It was an impersonator, with bodyguards. This information was reported on social media to be a celebrity sighting when in actuality it was really just an impersonator.  Journalists must be trained to research stories for the truth of the matter even if it takes time.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/bad-bunny-imposter-sparks-chaos-at-orange-county-fair/ar-AA1eyJnU

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3K3JZgQ_lxw