Virtual Ethical in the World of Journalism?

photo from: google images search 

As technology evolves, everything it touches moves does the same. Among which surround it, is Journalism, specifically, Digital Journalism. In the past five years, the world has seen huge leaps in virtual and augmented reality. While they excited the public with how they have transformed the gaming experience, it also sparked fear and curiosity with how much bad can be linked to it. Cases of fabricated videos of leaders doing speeches and celebrity faces being stuck to porn actors are just some of the examples of Deepfake, a kind of morphing of physical appearances on pixelized output with the use of artificial intelligence. And this exactly why this kind of technology threats Journalism on the web. Fake news is now harder and harder to correct, let alone, spot. Stories can now be made rather than observed or covered. 

However, this doesn't spell the end for the cross over of digital and journalistic endeavours. In fact, I think technology has helped Journalism bloom even more, rather than kill it. Although others may see Journalism as a "dying craft", I think the world of digital has expanded its definition and and its roles. Now, being a Journalist doesn't merely translate to a writer, but it might also ask for video footage, video editing, and more. As Robert Hernandez said in this TEDxKC talk, Storytelling has now become experiential-- storyliving. Thanks to LIVE videos and ARs, people get to not just tell stories but actually show it, allowing for an improved experience for its readers/viewers. With this, emotions are heightened and stories are more real and raw. 

I guess it really is up to us to navigate our way in defining what technology is and what it can do for us. If one can use it for good, the world of Journalism can flourish-- curating better stories, expanding audiences, and more. However, just like anything, when used outside of moderation and with bad intentions, this can cause more harm than good. What do we decide?