inquiry specialist
How to Be a Journalist in the Modern Age (2025): A Skeptic’s Skeptic Guide
Skeptic’s Rule: If you’re not questioning yourself, you’re not doing your job.
The Journalist’s Role in 2025: Truth-Teller, Advocate, and Watchdog
At the local level, you are the eyes and ears of your community. Your skepticism, diligence, and integrity can uncover truths, empower citizens, and hold power to account. In an era awash with noise, your work can be the signal. Be bold. Be critical. Be relentless.
Journalism has never been more challenging—or more crucial—than it is in 2025. The landscape is cluttered with misinformation, AI-generated content, corporate influence, and a growing distrust in media. In this environment, the journalist’s role, particularly at the local level, is indispensable. Here’s how to practice journalism with a critical, skeptical mindset, ensuring integrity and impact in the modern age:
1. Understand the Power and Pitfalls of AI
AI tools can revolutionize reporting, but they are double-edged swords.
Fact-Checking AI Output: Never trust AI-generated content at face value. Use AI to assist with data analysis or transcription, but verify every conclusion manually.
Avoid Echo Chambers: Algorithms tend to reinforce biases. Curate diverse sources—across political, geographical, and cultural lines—to avoid unintentionally perpetuating narrow perspectives.
Skeptic’s Rule: If an AI suggests it, assume it’s wrong until proven otherwise.
2. Investigate Local Issues Relentlessly
National and global stories dominate headlines, but local journalism is where you can make the most tangible impact.
Follow the Money: Look for financial irregularities in local government budgets, contracts, and campaign funding. Local corruption is often hidden under layers of bureaucracy.
Highlight the Overlooked: Cover zoning laws, school board decisions, public health policies, and environmental issues. These stories often have more direct relevance to people’s lives than sensationalized global news.
Give a Voice to the Voiceless: Focus on underrepresented communities and grassroots organizations that national outlets ignore.
Skeptic’s Rule: Every "harmless" local decision has ripple effects. What’s being hidden?3. Interrogate Sources Ruthlessly
Trust is earned, not given. Treat all sources—official or anonymous—with the same level of scrutiny.
Triangulate: Verify every claim with at least two independent sources.
Beware the Agenda: Everyone has a motive, even "whistleblowers." Understand why a source is coming forward and what they stand to gain.
Stay Transparent: Clearly disclose your sources and methods wherever possible. Transparency builds credibility.
Skeptic’s Rule: Sources lie. Documents rarely do.
4. Master Data Journalism
Data is a journalist’s best weapon, but it requires skill and skepticism to wield it effectively.
Analyze Critically: Understand how data was collected. Is the methodology sound? Could the results be manipulated or misleading?
Visualize Responsibly: Use clear, accurate graphics to convey data insights without distortion. Avoid sensationalist visuals designed to mislead.
Expose Patterns: Use data to reveal systemic issues, not just isolated incidents.
Skeptic’s Rule: Data isn’t objective; it reflects the biases of its collectors.
5. Resist the Speed Trap
The 24/7 news cycle pressures journalists to publish quickly, often at the expense of accuracy. Resist this.
Prioritize Verification: Never sacrifice truth for timeliness. A well-researched story is better than a rushed one.
Combat Misinformation: Take time to debunk false narratives. As the first draft of history, your reporting must be reliable.
Skeptic’s Rule: Breaking a story isn’t worth breaking your credibility.
6. Engage the Community Actively
Local journalism thrives on trust and engagement with its audience.
Host Town Halls: Facilitate discussions where residents can voice concerns and ask questions about your reporting.
Use Social Media Wisely: Share stories, but also interact with readers to understand their needs and concerns. Avoid getting drawn into toxic debates.
Be Accessible: Make yourself available for questions and feedback. Accountability fosters trust.
Skeptic's Rule: If you’re detached from the community, you’re not serving it.
7. Guard Against Corporate and Political Influence
In an era of conglomerates and sponsored content, maintaining independence is harder than ever.
Refuse Compromise: Do not let advertisers dictate your editorial decisions.
Expose Conflicts: Report on media ownership and its potential influence on coverage.
Seek Funding Transparently: If supported by grants or donations, disclose them to your audience.
Skeptic’s Rule: Every dollar of funding comes with strings—cut them before they strangle you.
8. Focus on Solutions, Not Just Problems
Modern journalism often amplifies outrage without providing a path forward. Be different.
Highlight Successes: Showcase effective policies, community projects, and individual triumphs.
Encourage Action: Provide readers with tools and resources to get involved in the issues you cover.
Avoid Doomscrolling Narratives: Balance hard-hitting investigations with stories that inspire hope and progress.
Skeptic’s Rule: Cynicism is easy. Constructive reporting is harder—and more valuable.
9. Constantly Educate Yourself
The media landscape changes rapidly. Stay ahead of the curve.
Learn New Skills: From coding to multimedia production, expand your toolkit to adapt to modern reporting needs.
Study Ethics: Revisit the core principles of journalism to navigate new ethical dilemmas posed by technology and societal shifts.
Network with Peers: Share experiences and strategies with other journalists to strengthen your craft.
Skeptic’s Rule: The moment you think you know it all, you’ve fallen behind.
10. Hold Yourself Accountable
A journalist’s credibility is their greatest asset. Protect it fiercely.
Correct Mistakes: When errors occur, acknowledge and fix them immediately.
Invite Critique: Encourage feedback from peers and readers to improve your work.
Stay True to the Mission: Your loyalty is to the truth and your audience—not to clicks, sponsors, or agendas.
Local Level
The Berkshire Eagle
A daily newspaper published in Pittsfield, covering all of Berkshire County. More info
- Greta Jochem: Reporter covering North Adams and contributing to investigations.
- Profile
- Amanda C. Burke: Reporter at The Berkshire Eagle.
- Daniel Jin: Reporter covering the Massachusetts Legislature and government for readers in the western part of the state.
- Profile
Spectrum News 1
Provides coverage in the Berkshire County area.
- Breanna Steele: Multimedia journalist for Spectrum News 1, Massachusetts, in the Berkshire County Bureau.
- Profile
- Matt Ristaino: Pittsfield Bureau Reporter for Spectrum News 1.
- Profile
iBerkshires.com
An online news outlet covering Berkshire County. More info
The Berkshire Argus
A publication edited by Bill Shein, a Berkshires-based journalist and writer.
These individuals and organizations contribute to the local journalism landscape in Pittsfield and Berkshire County.