Watan Perspective: Journalism's Freedom Is Not About Its Print or Digital Form

The question of whether the era of print journalism is coming to an end, and the inevitability of transitioning to digital editions as a means of keeping pace with the rapid transformations in the media landscape—particularly given the dominance of technology and its platforms over the largest share of reading channels—is frequently raised.

This question about the demise of print journalism was one of the topics discussed during my participation in an event hosted last week by the American University of Kuwait (AUK) on economic journalism. My response was grounded in two main points. The first relates to a historical overview showing that no new medium has ever completely eliminated an older one: television did not end the era of radio, cinema did not eradicate what came before it, and internet applications have not replaced cinema or satellite channels. Rather, each new development in the media landscape restructures the balance of power and redistributes audience shares. This is especially true given the ability of media institutions, particularly journalistic ones, to sustain their presence by seamlessly linking print editions with dynamic digital versions that leverage social media platforms to enhance their sustainability.

The second point of my answer is more important to me. I emphasized that the value of journalism lies not in its print or digital format, its presentation style, or even the quality of its design, but in its freedom to maintain high credibility without resorting to deception, flattery, or falsifying numbers and facts. Journalism holds value, objectivity, and trustworthiness when it ensures that news serves the reader and opinions belong to their authors, and when it does not hesitate to investigate important and sensitive issues connected to the concerns of the vulnerable and those without advocates, even if doing so in the public interest causes offense to an executive official or displeasure among ministers.

Unfortunately, some believe that media and journalism are merely about form, image, design, and colors. Their concerns are limited to the pressures of print distribution and the shift to digital. This narrow perspective is reinforced by vague, broadly interpretable laws that constitute a minefield for journalists seeking credibility and truth, leaving them unaware of when these legal traps might explode or how far their repercussions may spread.