Imagine a morning when the world has come to a halt. There are no newspapers, no TV broadcasts, no radio signals, and only internet is on. People's restless eyes search for reliable information. In this void, would you still trust social media alone?
In Bangladesh, the distinction is becoming impossible to ignore: social media, despite its reach and speed, cannot replace traditional media.
Social media platforms have rapidly become a dominant force in communication. Yet their rise has not displaced newspapers, radio, or television - institutions that have long served the public by delivering verified information under pressure and intense scrutiny.
Unlike traditional media, social platforms often circulate information without rigorous verification. Misinformation, half-truths, and rumours flourish, sometimes escalating into public panic or posing threats to national security.
The internet shutdown during the mass protests of July and August 2024 exposed this weakness. As social media platforms went dark, traditional news outlets kept working. Despite censorship and restrictions, newspapers and broadcasters continued to publish reliable updates, underscoring their essential role in public life.
This moment revealed a fundamental truth: without internet access, social media collapse. Traditional media, grounded in credibility and accountability, endure.
Social media are now a vital part of the media ecosystem. However, without maintaining standards of accuracy, ethics, and responsibility, those cannot claim the authority or trust that traditional journalism commands.
This experience exposed a crucial truth: without internet, social media vanish - but traditional media stand firm.
Today, social media are even used for nasty and highly destructive purposes. They can be abused due to their lack of accountability like established institutions. But without a commitment to accuracy, credibility and ethics, they cannot and will not replace real journalism.
In the end, old is indeed gold. When truth matters most, we turn not to trending hashtags, but to trusted headlines.
Fiad Nowshad Yeamin
Student
Department of Media, Communication and Journalism,
Canadian University of Bangladesh
nowshadyeamin415@gmail.com
