In an era where information travels faster than light, the integrity of that information often gets lost in the race. While traditional journalism is rooted in investigation, fact-checking, and original storytelling, a new term churnalism has slowly crept into modern media vocabulary. But what exactly does this term mean, and why does it matter now more than ever?
What is Journalism?
Journalism is the process of gathering, verifying, and disseminating news to the public. A true journalist digs deeper, investigates the facts, interviews sources, and adds context to present an unbiased story. It’s storytelling based on truth, credibility, and public interest.
For example, when the Indian Express exposed the Panama Papers, it wasn’t just breaking news; it was the result of months of rigorous investigation, data analysis, and global collaboration.
What is Churnalism?
Churnalism is a derogatory term coined to describe news articles churned out from press releases, wire services, or pre-packaged content without verification. It’s copy-paste journalism, often devoid of original reporting or fact-checking designed more to meet content quotas than inform the public.
