Journalists need public support now more than ever before

In late August, the Newseum made a shocking announcement: the interactive museum featuring media coverage of some of history's most impactful events is running a major financial deficit and will undergo review later this year. This means the museum could be sold or even closed in the near future.

The Newseum, a popular D.C. destination with over 800,000 visitors per year, stands as one of the few paid-admission institutions in a city of free museums. The museum's primary tenet is championing the First Amendment's five freedoms, particularly the importance of a free press. Over the past summer, I experienced this mission firsthand during the Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference held at the Newseum. The five-day conference brought together one student journalist from each state plus Washington, D.C. to engage in hands-on lessons about freedom of expression and the First Amendment with some of the most impactful journalists today.
Programs such as this are among the many initiatives funded by the Freedom Forum, which is also the primary backer of the Newseum. However, questionable financial structuring and ill-fated budgetary decisions have cost the Forum millions of dollars every year since the Newseum opened its new building at the peak of the recession in 2008. As a result, educational opportunities for aspiring young journalists, and the museum itself, are in jeopardy. The Newseum's situation unfortunately parallels the current beleaguered state of journalism: increasingly relevant and necessary, yet facing attacks and an uncertain future from outside influencers.
Historically, the public has had little trust in the media; this is a widely observed fact, despite the responsibility of journalists to hold those in power accountable without bias. Gallup polls show the media as an institution typically has approval ratings mired around 20 percent. Even more disheartening, talk of "fake news” abounds, particularly online and on social media, harming public opinion of traditional media outlets.

There are positive signs, however. A 2017 Gallup poll indicates that 27 percent of Americans trust newspapers a "great deal” or "quite a lot,” the highest rating since President Obama's first term. Digital subscriptions are soaring at news outlets, with CNN reporting that subscriptions to The Washington Post have more than doubled since the start of this year and are now over one million worldwide, trailing only The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. Moreover, journalists and media organizations have been emboldened by attacks on the free press from extremists. As Post editor Marty Baron emphasized to us at the Neuharth conference, "We are not at war… we're just at work.”

As concern over "fake news” rises, it is essential for the public to become media literate and support hard-working and truth-seeking journalists. Read news from reputable outlets that maintain high standards, such as The Post or The Times. Watch television news from national sources such ABC News, NBC News, and CBS News. Stay away from sensationalist news organizations and social media accounts that report on stories just for views and website clicks. Finally, remember to ignore and report "fake news” websites. These pages significantly spin even the most innocuous of stories and exist solely to push an agenda without credible evidence or sources. If you read a report from a website that is not corroborated by reputable news organizations and fact-checkers, then it is likely dubious and not shareworthy.
The Neuharth Conference made it clear that it is the responsibility of our generation to continue to seek the truth, fight for a free press and other First Amendment rights, and become leaders ourselves. The public should not consider "fake news” a new way of reporting and swaying opinions. If you have not done so already, now is a great time to start looking for ways to make a positive impact on your community—protest, write articles, start a club, help those in need, run for student office, intern with your Congressional representatives, and more. Win the attention and support of your audience with real news. The future of journalism and our country depends on it.