Press Festival and the New Realities of Media
Journalism is one of the indispensable pillars of democratic societies. The right to access information and to be accurately informed is only possible through a free and impartial press. However, in today's world, the journalism profession is being practiced under increasingly challenging conditions. Transformations such as digitalization, artificial intelligence, and social media are rapidly changing the dynamics of journalism, while the importance of media literacy continues to grow each day. In this context, on the occasion of Journalists and Press Day, Prof. Dr. Jonathan Stubbs, Head of the Department of Journalism at the Faculty of Communication, Cyprus International University (CIU), addressed the challenges faced by the modern press, ethical issues, and the path to success for young journalists.
1. Press freedom is considered one of the cornerstones of democracy. In your opinion, what is the current state of this freedom, and how is it evolving today?
In many countries around the world, journalists are facing increasing political pressure, which is leading to widespread self-censorship. This issue is further compounded by economic hardships — as a significant portion of the news industry has become financially insecure, it has become much more difficult for journalists and news organizations to resist political pressure.
2. How do you assess the impact of digitalization on journalism? In your opinion, what is the most important difference between traditional journalism and digital journalism?
Digital tools are extremely valuable for journalists. From the perspective of news readers, the shift from print publications and traditional media channels to digital platforms has offered significant advantages in terms of convenience and cost. However, digitalization has seriously disrupted the business models of news organizations, and many media outlets have struggled to find new ways to generate revenue. At the same time, digitalization has concentrated power in the hands of large technology companies — and these giant corporations often show little concern for reliable and independent journalism.
3. Why has media literacy become so important today? What role should universities play in this regard?
Media literacy has become more critical than ever. Especially with the help of artificial intelligence, it has become extremely easy to produce realistic-looking texts, images, audio recordings, and even videos — and social media platforms make it possible for this content to reach very large audiences. For this reason, it is essential that media consumers of all ages learn to approach the information they encounter — especially content that appears to confirm their own beliefs — with a healthy degree of skepticism.
4. What are the most pressing ethical issues journalists face today? What approach would you recommend to deal with these challenges?
The most pressing ethical issues faced by journalists and news organizations are their ability to resist the political and economic pressures placed upon them. This is truly a very difficult situation — to be honest, I don't have a realistic solution to offer on this matter.
5. What are the most critical factors for success in journalism for young communicators and journalism students? What advice would you give them?
Mastery of new technologies and distribution platforms is, of course, essential today. Modern journalists need a broader range of skills than ever before — for example, the ability to produce and edit audio and video content has become fundamental. Additionally, journalists are increasingly adopting an entrepreneurial mindset — in order to remain independent, they may need to establish their own media ventures. On the other hand, traditional skills such as in-depth investigative reporting, clear and effective writing, and critical thinking remain crucial — these are abilities that will never lose their relevance.