In journalism, there’s a sacred principle that should always come before hitting the “publish” button: verification. Unfortunately, it seems like that principle is now treated as some ancient relic—nice for decoration, rarely put into practice.
Let’s talk about journalistic ethics—often reduced to a wall ornament or the opening quote of a handbook that no one actually reads. Verification should be the cornerstone of every piece of information shared. But what’s happening in the real world, especially on social media? The exact opposite.
We’re living in an era where speed beats accuracy, and click counts matter more than the truth. It’s ironic, really. In a world flooded with information every second, the main job of a journalist isn’t to be the fastest—it’s to be the most trustworthy. But what happens when a journalist publishes news without verifying it first? The result: disaster. Or if we want to be dramatic—a mini-apocalypse in the world of journalism.
“Verify it first before you publish it. Where are your professional ethics and credibility as a journalist? This is very embarrassing.”
This isn’t just a casual criticism. It’s an intellectual slap in the face to anyone who calls themselves a journalist but acts more like a gossiping bystander in a family group chat. If journalists can’t tell the difference between facts and assumptions, we’re watching the media’s credibility plummet—headfirst—into the pit of collective ignorance.
Picture this: a journalist comes across a social media post—on Twitter, Facebook, wherever—and without research, without confirmation, without cross-checking, they slap it into a headline. Maybe they think, “Well, I can always update it later if it turns out wrong,” or “Report Community Note false.” But news isn’t like an Instagram caption you can edit whenever you feel like it. Reputation doesn’t come with a Clarendon filter.
Jackson Hinkle is a real example of this. Sure, he knows how to craft compelling narratives and reach a wide audience, but here’s the issue: he often sacrifices accuracy for virality. It’s like he cares more about impact than integrity—a keyboard warrior so eager to play “journalist” that he forgets the most crucial part: fact-checking. He’s like someone who finds a coin on the ground and shouts, “THIS IS GOLD! SHARE IT!”
“Sources? Eh, we’ll figure it out later.”
The most absurd part? When presented with facts through Community Notes, instead of owning up or double-checking, he encourages his followers to downvote the note—as if truth could be decided by poll results. This isn’t America’s Got Talent!
Let’s be honest: this isn’t journalism. It’s a textbook case of misinformation, sprinkled with “good intentions” and zero research. And tragically, many people fall for it because he seems “bold” and “different”—as if being different from the facts somehow makes you more right.
He knows how to steer public perception, using old footage—but completely ignores the context, like in this tweet:
Pope Francis used his last public address to call for a ceasefire in Gaza. pic.twitter.com/yP7Vsafv2w
— Jackson Hinkle 🇺🇸 (@jacksonhinklle) April 21, 2025
In the age of social media, anyone can play journalist. All it takes is some followers, a bit of charm, and the nerve to throw out opinions without evidence. Just like Jackson Hinkle—who seems to think good intentions can make up for bad facts. Sadly, algorithms don’t care about journalistic ethics, and so Community Notes steps in like a teacher catching a student cheating during an exam.
The worst part? It’s not just anonymous accounts, self-proclaimed “observers”, or influencers doing this. Even major outlets like CNN, BBC, and Sky News have slipped into clear bias—especially when it comes to sensitive issues like Palestine. News starts to feel less like reporting and more like a one-sided drama with a carefully constructed narrative.
If you’re wondering, “How do these major outlets keep making these mistakes?” The answer’s simple: because they can. Because they’re shielded by big names and know most readers won’t bother scrolling down to read a correction. Even if they do issue one, the damage is already done. But hey—as long as traffic goes up, right?
Let’s not forget the “keyboard warrior journalists” either—those who think they’re heroes of information just because they can type fast and have Wi-Fi. No time for fact-checking, because “clickbait waits for no one.”
Professionalism: An Endangered Species
There was a time when being a journalist was an honorable profession. Parents would be proud if their child became a reporter. Now? They might ask, “A real journalist, or just some gossip account admin?”
Journalistic ethics aren’t just something you memorize in college. They’re a moral compass meant to guide every step of the reporting process. When journalists forget that, they don’t just betray their profession—they betray the public.
Because a journalist’s main duty is to inform, not mislead. To illuminate, not to obscure. And most importantly: to prove before you publish.
A Closing You Can’t Argue With
So, if you’re a journalist—or claim to be one—and you feel that the phrase, “Verify it first before you publish it. Where are your professional ethics and credibility as a journalist? This is very embarrassing,” hits a nerve... maybe it’s supposed to. Not to hurt you, but to wake you up.
And for the rest of us, the readers, let’s get smarter about the news we consume. Let’s not allow ignorance in a formal outfit to control the public narrative.
Because in the end, one false story published without verification can be more dangerous than a thousand anonymous hoaxes. The only difference? One has a news logo in the top corner.
Maybe it’s time we ask ourselves: do we really want the truth—or do we just want to feel right?
And for the misinformation spreaders who still insist, “I was just sharing the info”—if the info’s wrong, you’re not sharing. You’re spreading.
- The core principle of journalism, verification, is increasingly ignored, especially on social media platforms where speed and click counts take precedence over accuracy.
- Sharing unverified information without fact-checking can lead to the spread of misinformation, undermining credibility and causing harm to public trust.
- Jackson Hinkle’s approach of sacrificing accuracy for virality highlights the dangerous trend of prioritizing impact over integrity in journalism.
- Even major media outlets sometimes fail to maintain journalistic integrity, especially when reporting on sensitive issues.
- Journalism once held great respect as a profession. Today, however, the lack of ethical standards and verification has caused a decline in credibility.
- Readers need to be more discerning about the news they consume, ensuring they demand verified information and not just sensationalized headlines.
Journalism Ethics and Verification
The Dangers of “Just Sharing”
Case Study: Jackson Hinkle
The Role of Major News Outlets
Professionalism in Journalism
The Public’s Role in Consuming News
