Now, the Internet is eliminating the reporter as middleman by connecting audiences directly with the real sources of news — politicians’ offices, PR firms, whistleblowers, think tanks, courts, police departments, and everyone else with a news ax to grind.
I think the above sentence makes reporters even more important, because every single one of the sources above will only presented a slanted view. I don’t fault them for it. But are we really to think each one of these sources is going to provide a fair and balanced analysis of a situation? Sure, reporters may not always do it, but you’re placing your trust in these people? Reporters are paid meager salaries to be skeptical of people’s claims for a reason.
Just because all these sources now have a platform on the Internet doesn’t make them transparent.
