"Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Science" Article Recommendation: Behind the Headlines: Why Are We Losing Trust in the News?

In today’s age of information overload, we scroll through endless headlines every day. But here's the question:

How much of it is truth, and how much is... just a narrative?

In his article From The Post to Reality: The Decline of Freedom of the Press in the US, published in the Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Science, Haochao Liang from Peking University provides a comprehensive examination of the shifting landscape of press freedom in the United States. Drawing on historical context, legal foundations, and contemporary case studies, the paper systematically analyzes the multifaceted causes behind the decline of press freedom and explores its broader social and international implications. 

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A Time When Truth Was Worth the Risk

The movie The Post is based on a real story: in the 1970s, editors at a major U.S. newspaper decided to publish top-secret documents.

That moment became a milestone for press freedom in American history.

But fast forward to now, and things feel different. War reporters need government clearance, independent investigations are rare, and public trust in the media is at an all-time low.

Why Do We Trust the News Less Than Ever?

Over the past few decades, several major shifts have reshaped the media landscape:

1. More content, fewer perspectives

At first glance, it seems we have more access to news than ever. But behind the scenes, a handful of media giants control over 90% of U.S. news outlets. That means less diversity in voices, and often, more editorial alignment with specific agendas.

2. News that feels like Netflix

Clickbait headlines, emotionally charged stories, and sensational visuals—news is increasingly optimized for virality, not accuracy.

This shift toward “storytelling” over reporting blurs the line between fact and fiction.

3. The credibility crisis

Studies show that young people are more likely to trust influencers or podcasts than mainstream news. In fact, one survey even revealed that a comedy show (The Daily Show) was deemed more trustworthy than major news networks.

When entertainment ranks higher than journalism in credibility, something is broken.

It’s Not Just the Media—It’s Us, Too

We, the audience, are not just consumers of news—we’re part of the ecosystem. In this attention economy, our clicks shape what gets amplified.

Here are a few things we can do:

 Cross-check multiple sources

 Watch for emotional framing or vague attributions

 Be cautious of stories that seem too perfect or neatly resolved

 Ask more “why” questions before resharing

Final Thought

In The Post, journalists risked prison to uphold the First Amendment. Today, truth seems less about risk—and more about algorithms.

Information is everywhere. But judgment is rare.

Let’s bring back the habit of thinking critically, asking tough questions, and not accepting headlines at face value.

The study was published in Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Science, Hill Publishing Group

https://www.hillpublisher.com/ArticleDetails/1128    

How to cite this paper

Haochao Liang. (2022) From The Post to Reality: The Decline of Freedom of the Press in the US. Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Science, 6(4), 496-499.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/jhass.2022.12.001