WORTHLESSNESS CRISIS IN JOURNALISM

The press and freedom are two phenomena that co-exist in modern times. Just as peoples in history have benefited from the power of the press in their struggle for freedom, the press must continue its existence on behalf of society for its own freedom. This intertwined state of existence and functionality is like a mirror that can reflect democratic social life in perhaps the simplest way. However, in the 21st century, when humanity is experiencing a time of wars, rapidly diminishing natural resources, globally increasing pandemics and natural disasters ranging from earthquakes to floods, the 4th power mission of the media is of vital importance. At this point, it would not be wrong to say that the vision of the press defending freedom of expression 300 years ago has regressed in the 21st century. The aim of journalism is to convey the truth; however, the current environment in which the truth is devalued has brought the “falsity” of the news to the agenda. This “falsity” affects the entire social life with a much greater sphere of influence and power than the falsity of a product or service in the capitalist production system. The political economy of the media points to the devaluation of truth in journalism on the one hand and a crisis of worthlessness faced by the journalism profession on the other. Therefore, this study focuses on the recent history dominated by neoliberal policies in which the news is confronted with tactical and multidimensional concepts such as disinformation, misinformation, malinformation, manipulation and post truth. In this context, the picture that makes it necessary to rethink journalism and freedom of the press, the debates on journalistic processes, the status of freedom of the press in the conduct of journalism in accordance with ethical rules will be analysed with current data. Thus, the current environment in which the truth has evolved towards redefinition will be criticised.