Dean of the Columbia School of Journalism, Jelani Cobb
Jan 22, 2025
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Jelani Cobb, the Dean of the Columbia School of Journalism and a staff writer for The New Yorker, dives into the shifting landscape of journalism influenced by social media. He examines how TikTok affects news consumption and public trust. The conversation also critiques educational shows like Sesame Street, questioning their impact on youth education. Cobb emphasizes the importance of real-life experiences in both journalism and learning, advocating for accountability and ethical standards in news reporting.
The rise of social media as a primary news source diminishes public trust in traditional journalism due to the blending of serious news and entertainment.
The hot take culture prioritizes sensational opinions over nuanced reporting, threatening journalistic integrity and the public's ability to discern credible information.
Deep dives
The Crisis of Trust in Journalism
Journalism, since its inception, has played a critical role in upholding democracy by providing a voice to the voiceless. However, the profession currently faces a crisis marked by mass layoffs and a significant decline in public trust. Various factors contribute to this skepticism, including the blurring lines between credible journalism and sensationalized content, often referred to as 'clickbait.' As traditional media grapples with new business models and formats, many Americans now consume news through social media platforms, which can further erode trust in conventional journalistic standards.
The Impact of Social Media on News Consumption
Nearly half of Americans obtain their news from social media, with a notable portion under 30 relying heavily on platforms like TikTok. This shift presents challenges for traditional journalism as it struggles to adapt to the fast-paced, visually driven content that dominates social media. The blending of serious news with entertaining content complicates how audiences perceive and engage with news stories. This evolution necessitates the establishment of new norms and ethical standards to maintain journalistic integrity while also meeting the demands of a rapidly changing landscape.
The Shift Towards Opinion-Driven Content
The journalism industry has increasingly shifted toward opinion-based content, which is often cheaper and quicker to produce than traditional reporting. This trend has led to the rise of the 'hot take' culture, where sensational opinions garner more attention than nuanced reporting. As media budgets tighten, the focus on generating engaging, clickable content undermines the essential role of journalists as objective informers. Consequently, this shift raises concerns about the quality and ethics of journalism, as well as the public's ability to discern credible information amidst a sea of opinions.
Hasan sits down with New Yorker writer and Dean of the Columbia School of Journalism, Jelani Cobb, to talk about the TikTokification of news, the Hot Take Industrial Complex, and maybe the biggest threat to our youth today: Sesame Street.
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