Reclaiming Journalism

Breaking Free from Nation-State Narrative.

Journalism was once considered a cornerstone of democracy—an institution tasked with holding power to account, uncovering truths, and representing voices that might otherwise go unheard. But today, much of mainstream media operates under a different set of priorities. Instead of challenging the status quo, it reinforces it. Instead of informing, it polarizes. The pursuit of sensational headlines and nationalistic narratives often takes precedence over the responsibility to report with integrity and nuance.

State-endorsed media, whether overtly controlled or subtly influenced, serves a clear purpose: to maintain existing power structures, uphold the nation-state, and shape public perception in a way that aligns with political and corporate interests. These outlets act as tools of nation-building, constructing convenient narratives that paint clear distinctions between “us” and “them.” Whether it’s through selective reporting, inflammatory language, or the consistent framing of certain groups as threats, the goal is often to create division rather than understanding.

Sensationalism plays a critical role in this process. It thrives on fear, anger, and outrage - emotions that are easy to exploit and difficult to reason with. Headlines become more about provocation than information, designed to capture attention and reinforce pre-existing biases. Complex realities are flattened into digestible soundbites that leave little room for context or critical thought. As a result, public discourse becomes increasingly divided, with people surrounding themselves with ideas they already agree with rather than challenging their thinking.

Meanwhile, many journalists themselves remain disconnected from the realities they claim to report on. Their understanding is often shaped by their own limited experiences—ofteny insulated from the communities they write about. Without genuine engagement with diverse perspectives, their coverage becomes riddled with assumptions, stereotypes, and blind spots. The result is a journalism that speaks about people, rather than to them, further alienating those on the margins.

In this landscape, smaller independent media outlets and community organisations are more important than ever. Independent outlets provide an alternative to dominant narratives, offering reporting that is often more rooted in the lived experiences of communities rather than dictated by political agendas. They challenge mainstream media’s tendency to prioritise profit over truth, amplifying stories that would otherwise be ignored or misrepresented. At the same time, community organisations play a crucial role in keeping the media in check, holding it accountable for misrepresentation and bias while ensuring that local voices are heard and valued. Together, they remind us that journalism should serve the public, not power.

Reclaiming journalism means holding it accountable—demanding transparency, questioning biases, and seeking out alternative sources that challenge the narratives fed to us. It means supporting independent media that dares to ask uncomfortable questions and centers the voices of those who have long been sidelined. It means writing your own story.

The power of journalism lies in its ability to inform, to question, and to uncover. But when it becomes a tool of control rather than a means of truth-telling, it’s up to us to challenge it, to demand better, and to ensure that the stories being told reflect the complexities of the world we live in—not just the interests of those who wish to control it.