The ever-evolving face of journalism

By Cristina Vizcaíno, 5 March 2025

In our fast-paced, 24/7 connected world, journalism is changing at a dizzying speed. With the ‘silent death’ of print media in favour of digital platforms and social media, both the way news is produced and how audiences consume it have transformed dramatically. Today’s journalists face new challenges but also exciting opportunities. To understand this shifting landscape, it’s important to explore the essential skills journalists need, the obstacles they encounter, and the broader trends reshaping the industry.

Truthfulness, accuracy, and keeping the public informed. This is what, at its heart, journalism is. While these core values have survived the passage of time, the tools and skills journalists use to carry out this mission have evolved significantly. Nowadays, journalists need a blend of traditional skills, such as investigative research, and new skills, such as digital literacy and multimedia storytelling.

Investigative research is the essence of journalism. With misinformation spreading like a wildfire, often aided by social media, it is crucial to have an ability to dig deep, verify facts, and uncover the truth. Journalists use both traditional methods and modern tools, like online databases and expert interviews, to cut through the noise of ‘fake news’. Critical thinking is equally essential, enabling journalists to deal with complex issues, identify bias and ask insightful questions that lead to fair, accurate reporting.

Also important is the ability to tell clear, engaging stories across various platforms. From ‘short and sweet’ 280-character tweets to in-depth feature articles or video reports, today’s journalists must know how to survive in digital ecosystems and adapt their storytelling to different formats. While writing remains central, multimedia storytelling is essential for engagement, requiring journalists to create interactive content that captures and retains audiences’ attention. Digital literacy has thus become necessary. Journalists need to be comfortable with a range of digital tools, from content management systems (CMS) to social media platforms like X, Facebook and Instagram. They must understand how to use these tools effectively to reach their audience, optimize content for search engines (SEO), and analyse audience engagement data.

Despite its crucial role in society, journalism faces significant challenges. Financial pressures from declining print media and the rise of advertisement technologies have made it difficult for many media organizations to remain profitable, leading to layoffs and fewer resources made available for investigative reporting. In response, some media companies are exploring alternative funding methods, such as subscriptions or non-profit support. Press freedom is also under threat in many regions, with journalists facing legal harassment, physical violence, and even self-censorship in countries where the media is free. Furthermore, mental health and burnout are growing concerns as journalists grapple with tight deadlines, distressing events, and constant news cycles.

The rise of citizen journalism presents both challenges and opportunities. Thanks to smartphones and social media, almost anyone can report on events, democratizing information and bringing attention to human-interest stories that might otherwise go unnoticed. However, this also blurs the line between professional and amateur reporting. Journalists are trained to uphold ethical standards, while citizen journalists often lack formal training. The real challenge lies in ensuring the credibility of sources amidst the unverified, amateur content. For example, witnessing the role of misinformation during the Valencia floods in Spain last November has been harrowing. To protect the public’s trust and safety, it’s more important than ever for journalists to uphold high standards of accuracy and integrity. I remember when tweeting first became popular, and people could share whatever they wanted. Now, many people treat tweets as if they’re factual truths, and it often feels like anyone can act as a journalist without being held accountable to any integrity standards.

As technology advances, multimedia content such as videos, podcasts and interactive features has become increasingly popular, especially among younger audiences. The shift to digital platforms has transformed how news is created and consumed. Journalists now use diverse formats, including documentaries, audio stories and visual material, to provide deeper, more engaging reporting. Those who adapt their storytelling to fit each platform will be more successful in capturing audience attention. Social media, while offering opportunities for direct engagement, also presents challenges. Algorithms often prioritize sensational stories, making it harder for balanced reporting to gain traction. Journalists must be cautious not to contribute to the spread of misinformation.

In this new era of technology, the growing importance of data-driven journalism and artificial intelligence cannot be overstated. Journalists can now use big data to identify trends and gain a better understanding of complex issues, while AI assists with data processing and even handles some repetitive tasks through automation.

Journalism is at a turning point. To journalists, it might feel like it’s always been this way, with constant change and new challenges. The profession is constantly evolving, often feeling more like a calling than just a job. Despite the rise of new technologies and fast-changing trends, core skills like research, storytelling, integrity and adaptability remain unchanged. While challenges persist, opportunities are emerging in multimedia storytelling, data journalism, and combating misinformation across social media. As long as journalists continue to adapt, their commitment to truth and public service will ensure that journalism remains vital to healthy modern societies.

As a journalist, a reader, or simply as a citizen, it's important to ask ourselves: ‘How do I consume news? Is it reliable and does it make sense to me? Are the sources trustworthy, or could they be influenced by personal or institutional biases? Am I engaging with news in a way that encourages critical thinking and helps me stay informed, or am I just accepting what aligns with my existing beliefs?’ In a world where misinformation spreads so easily, the way we consume news not only shapes our understanding of events but it also influences the wider conversation in society.