one man journalism

Of late a trend has emerged, a growing number of self-styled "journalists" are leveraging the platform to claim themselves as credible news sources. I wont name them but we all know some of them. These one-man, research-led YouTubers, often produce videos that are designed definitely to be eye-catching and seemingly informative.

There is an illusion of expertise and a lack of oversight

One of the biggest issues for me, with these YouTubers is the lack of professional oversight. Unlike traditional journalists, who work under editorial boards and are subject to fact-checking and ethical guidelines, these creators operate solo. This absence of external validation raises serious questions for me about the accuracy and reliability of the content they produce.

While many YouTubers claim to conduct their own research, my question remains, do they actually perform sufficient, unbiased, and rigorous research before publishing their work?

The absence of fact checking and accountability

I often get recommendations to watch videos of some XYZ guy, and after watching the video I am always in a dilemma - can I trust this guy.

I bet my money with the traditional news outlets. They have a robust editorial processes, fact-checking departments, and legal standards to ensure that the information they disseminate is accurate and fair.

The danger of blindly following YouTubers as "Journalists"

Perhaps the most troubling aspect of the rise of these one-person, research-led YouTubers is the degree to which viewers are blindly following them. These creators appear confident and present their ideas in a polished manner, as a result many accept their claims as truth, without critically engaging with the content.

This is further compounded by algorithms that prioritise content that generates the most engagement. As a result, viewers may find themselves in echo chambers trying to validate their confirmation bias.

The need for critical thinking

The popularity of such content indicates the lack of critical thinking skills in us. Today, when information is readily accessible, it is essential for us all to evaluate the sources and quality of the information. I have no objections of anyone following XYZ, but question his content, do your own research and think critical before you believe him.