Traditional journalism is weakened in several ways. First, the pressure to be first online leads to minimal fact-checking, allowing hoaxes to spread (para 2). Second, revenue loss from printed advertising forces newsrooms to cut senior editors, reducing oversight (para 3). Third, algorithms prioritise sensational content, which rewards extreme opinions over balanced reporting (para 5). Fourth, citizen journalists rarely follow ethical codes, so privacy violations go unchecked (para 6). Fifth, the public no longer distinguishes between news and commentary, blurring the line between fact and opinion. Finally, retractions receive less attention than original falsehoods, meaning corrections hardly undo damage. Consequently, the traditional gatekeeper model—where trained journalists verified information before release—is eroding. (149 words)
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I agree to a large extent with this assertion. The passage highlights that news speed compromises accuracy, citing examples of election night retractions and stock market swings based on fake tweets (para 4). While it is true that we have unprecedented access to real-time information—from pandemic dashboards to war updates—the lack of reflection time hinders wisdom. Wisdom requires synthesis, context, and often delay. Social media echo chambers, mentioned in lines 60–63, reinforce confirmation bias, making people more opinionated but less open to nuanced understanding. For instance, during the 2008 financial crisis (my own knowledge), rapid 24/7 commentary amplified panic, whereas wise policy responses required measured deliberation. Thus, speed without editorial oversight creates informed but shallow citizens. 2008 A Level Gp Paper 2 Answers