Exactly How Journalism Examples Keep Humanity On Track.

Posted by Stanton on June 10th, 2021

Although the loudest voices might in some cases be the most unpredictable, conversation about our world and future is vital.

Possibly the most exemplary example of essential conversations about the direction of our civilisation throughout this period of change, arisen from crucial examples of journalism, is the climate crisis. Investigative journalism, informative and tenacious reporting from the likes of Fiona Harvey, and the philosophical, ruminating advocacy from individuals like George Monbiot served to redefine public understanding of the climate crisis. Journalism is connected with urgency, and by moving stories about the Anthropocene's influence on the state of the world to the news, there was a significant shift in both public understanding of the crisis, and the expectations upon federal governments to deal with it. This is exactly the sort of thing that underlies journalism and the whole circus that surrounds it; it has to do with seeing and questioning the type of future that we are building for our world so that the twenty-first century shift does not have tragic undertones, to be grieved by any intelligent animals that can review our history and ask why we buried our heads in the sand and did not do anything.

Worldwide today, it can in some cases feel as if the ruthless cacophony of voices will never ever quieten. With 24-hour news cycles, more online publications than one might ever wish to consult in a life time, and of course the deafening battlefield of social networks, in some cases the urge to turn off and discover a piece of quiet can be frustrating. For the huge bulk of human history people were utterly unconcerned by the happenings of the globe outside of their neighborhood, why should now be any different? Naturally, we need not explain that the globe has altered immeasurably in the last couple of centuries, and it is because of that fundamental development of our culture that the importance of journalistic writing has never been greater. At this time, the stakes are just way too high.

The 21st century, possibly even more so than the twentieth century, is a time of definite shift. The old world has actually all but faded, with commerce, globalisation, and international systems of governance settling in the place of separated, insulated nations. This memorable modification is not without its dangers, and as the scale of our civilisation goes to envelop the entire planet, so too do any threats that may occur. Not only do authoritarian and careless regimes have even more international repercussions, our actions, intentionally or unintentionally, can have a destructive result on our planet. People such as Lara Omarsdottir will know that this is the central tenant of working as a journalist today - to stimulate the discussions that will guide our species through this tough period of change. Whilst the yelling matches that can in some cases emerge from these conversations can often be louder than the message below, it is crucial that we have them nonetheless.