Reports of the ‘death’ of journalism are grossly exaggerated. However, in the constantly shifting ‘attention economy’, we journalists may have temporarily mislaid the attention of the people-formerly-known-as-the-audience. In which case, journalism must try harder to re-connect with them and regain their trust.

With the expansion of the internet and online content, people are constantly exposed to so much information from so many platforms, they often feel as though they do not need journalists anymore. The disconnect between journalism and the wider population has been worsened by President Donald Trump and the way he labels all media criticism as ‘fake news’. On the other hand, if sensible people are prepared to go along with his spewings, it can only mean that professional journalism is already deeply discredited in their eyes. Once again, there is much for journalism to do re-connect.

I believe that the next generation of journalists can restore the authority of journalism by implementing a set of changes to the way journalism works.

Yes, we can operate on the nearly new platforms associated with digital media technology. But this in itself is not enough. What matters most is the content created for such platforms. For example, a YouTuber known as Philip DeFranco has garnered a sizeable audience for his daily news show that tackles everything from celebrity news to politics. He is a real and relatable person who approaches the news agenda in a fresh, fun way. Although there are lots of people doing this much, what makes DeFranco distinctive is his determination to look at topical issues from every side; he criticises all sides, appraising their strengths and weaknesses in order for his viewers to come to their own judgement. In this way, he separates his work from the set of views and beliefs which are unique to him as a private individual. Not that he does this as faceless fact collector; instead he has stretched his personality far enough to engage with opinions and arguments which are a long way from his own.

Philip DeFranco has managed to gain his audience’s trust through his ability to argue for and against both sides of every controversy. Most notably, this was the case with his coverage of the 2016 US Presidential Election, in which he critiqued all standpoints equally and fairly. In effect, he cracked the problem of objectivity by reinventing it in a personable form.

It would be a cop out to say that to safeguard the future of journalism all that is required of us is to make use of new kit. It is not just that journalism has been slow to embrace new platforms; the crucial question is how we re-formulate journalism to make best use of such vehicles.

In order to re-connect with today’s readers and viewers, journalism will have to change the way it approaches the news. Making it personal and disciplined at the same time, as DeFranco has managed to do, seems the best way for journalism to carry on. As I see it, that’s the combination with which to begin to restore the art of journalism.