Journalism was once called the fourth pillar of democracy. It was a profession defined by courage, truth, and accountability. Journalists risked their reputations and often their lives to bring stories of corruption, injustice, and exploitation into the public eye. The press was the watchdog of power, a shield for the people, and a voice for the voiceless.
But somewhere along the way, journalism lost its soul. In many parts of the world from Pakistan to India, the United States to Europe media has transformed from an independent watchdog into a mouthpiece for power, politics, and profit. Newsrooms that once stood tall against governments and corporations now bend under their influence. Anchors who once asked the hardest questions now read from scripts handed down by sponsors or party lines.
This article explores the journey of journalism’s decline: from its golden age to its current crisis, the forces that corrupted it, and the consequences we all face as truth becomes harder to find.
1. The Golden Age of Journalism
There was a time when journalism stood as the ultimate check on power.
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In the 1970s, The Washington Post exposed the Watergate scandal, bringing down U.S. President Richard Nixon. That story became a textbook example of how fearless journalism could protect democracy.
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In more recent times, the Panama Papers revealed hidden offshore wealth and shook governments around the globe including Pakistan, where Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was disqualified.
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In Pakistan’s own history, the Dawn Leaks controversy highlighted the role of the press in exposing state-level secrets and political disputes.
Beyond scandals, journalists were once celebrated for their bravery. Reporters traveled to war zones, dictatorships, and disaster areas armed only with notebooks and cameras. Daniel Pearl, who worked for The Wall Street Journal, was murdered in Karachi for investigating terrorism. Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist, was brutally killed for speaking against authoritarianism. These tragedies highlight the risks true journalists have always faced.
The Golden Age of journalism was not perfect, but it was defined by one thing: public trust. People believed in the media as a watchdog that would stand up for the truth, even when it was inconvenient.
2. How Journalism Declined
The decline of journalism did not happen overnight. It was a slow erosion, caused by several forces.
2.1 Corporate Ownership
As media grew into a billion-dollar industry, ownership shifted from small, independent publishers to large corporations. When corporations run media, profit becomes the priority. Sponsors and advertisers begin to influence editorial decisions. Suddenly, “sensitive” stories disappear if they threaten a business partner or investor.
2.2 Ratings Over Reality
In Pakistan and India, the race for Television Rating Points (TRP) has destroyed standards. Channels compete not on accuracy but on who can shout the loudest. Talk shows filled with staged shouting matches bring ratings, even if they bring no truth.
2.3 Advertisers in the Driver’s Seat
News outlets depend on advertisers for survival. When sponsors pay the bills, they also buy influence. Stories that harm their image are killed. Anchors who speak too freely lose their slots. Journalism is no longer “for the people” but for the highest bidder.
2.4 Paid News and Advertorials
A dangerous trend has been the rise of paid news stories published as journalism but secretly funded by politicians or corporations. Readers see what looks like reporting but is in fact advertising. This is how journalism became a mouthpiece.
3. Modern Journalism: Bias and Propaganda
Today, journalism has openly aligned with political powers. Instead of questioning authority, many channels have become its megaphone.
3.1 Pakistan
Pakistani media is divided along party lines. Some outlets promote one political leader; others serve as platforms for rivals. Anchors have turned into political spokespersons, attacking opponents while ignoring the failures of their allies.
3.2 India
In India, the term “Godi Media” has become popular referring to media outlets seen as lapdogs of the government. Instead of investigating corruption or injustice, they focus on glorifying power and silencing dissent. The result? A public increasingly skeptical of “news.”
3.3 United States
In the U.S., polarization is just as severe. Fox News leans right, CNN leans left, and audiences choose channels not for truth but for confirmation of their own bias. Journalism here has become entertainment a battle of narratives rather than facts.
3.4 Global Stage
Even respected outlets like BBC and Al Jazeera have been accused of selective coverage, showing certain conflicts while ignoring others. The line between reporting and propaganda has blurred worldwide.
4. Social Media vs Traditional Journalism
The rise of social media has both exposed and worsened journalism’s decline.
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On the positive side, platforms like Twitter/X allow citizen journalists to break stories before traditional media. Video evidence from ordinary people often reveals truths that mainstream outlets hide.
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On the negative side, fake news spreads faster than verified information. Rumors can reach millions before fact-checkers react.
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Algorithms prioritize outrage and clicks over accuracy. Instead of editors deciding what’s important, now machines choose what trends often amplifying division and anger.
Traditional journalists once feared censorship from governments. Now they fear irrelevance as ordinary users and influencers capture more attention than professional newsrooms.
5. The Human Cost of Media Decline
The decline of journalism is not just an industry problem it is a human problem.
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Journalists: In many countries, reporters are arrested, silenced, or killed when they challenge power. Without strong institutions backing them, they stand alone.
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Citizens: Ordinary people are manipulated daily by half-truths and propaganda. They lose the ability to make informed decisions.
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Democracy: Without independent media, governments act unchecked. Corruption thrives in silence.
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Society: Communities become polarized. Instead of unity, media deepens divides.
The cost of losing journalism is not measured in ratings or profits it is measured in lost trust, broken societies, and weakened nations.
6. The Future of Journalism
Is journalism dead? Not yet. But its survival depends on how we respond.
6.1 Independent Platforms
As trust in mainstream media declines, independent digital outlets are rising. Small teams with limited resources are rebuilding credibility by sticking to facts, free from corporate pressure.
6.2 Role of Technology
Artificial Intelligence (AI) could either save or kill journalism. AI can analyze vast data and detect fake news but it can also generate misinformation faster than humans can debunk it. The battle for truth will partly be technological.
6.3 Reader Responsibility
The public cannot remain passive. Readers must demand truth, support independent outlets, and question biased coverage. If people reward clickbait, they will get clickbait. If they reward honesty, they will get honesty.
The decline of journalism is one of the greatest tragedies of our age. What was once a noble profession a shield for democracy and truth has become corrupted by money, politics, and propaganda.
From the glory of Watergate to the circus of TRP wars, journalism’s fall has left societies blind. Yet, all is not lost. The future of journalism depends on a renewed commitment to integrity, ethics, and courage.
We must remember: without watchdogs, power runs wild. Without truth, nations collapse into chaos. Journalism may be in decline, but the need for truth has never been greater. It is time to rebuild journalism as it was meant to be: not a paid mouthpiece, but a fearless voice of the people.
