The internet promised unlimited reach, direct engagement, and a more informed world. But has it instead devalued expertise - creating a clicks and outrage economy where speed reigns over accuracy, and trust in journalism has never been lower?
We're joined by John DeDakis - award-winning novelist, writing coach, public speaker, and former CNN Senior Copy Editor - who spent his career at the sharp end of broadcast journalism and understands better than most what the internet did to the craft, the industry, and the public's ability to tell truth from noise.
Welcome to Ruined By The Internet? - the show where we examine how technology is shaping modern life - whether we want it to or not.
Follow or subscribe to never miss the next investigation - new episodes regularly.
Visit us: https://www.ruinedbytheinternet.com/
Help us investigate ourselves: https://www.ruinedbytheinternet.com/survey/
Support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/rbtishow
In this episode we investigate how the internet transformed journalism from a trusted institution into a clicks-driven economy, examine the rise of citizen journalism and what it costs when everyone is a reporter, explore AI's role in accelerating both the misinformation crisis and potential solutions, and ask whether media literacy is enough to save an informed society - or whether the damage is already done.
00:00 - John's journey through journalism and what it taught him
02:16 - How the internet fundamentally changed what journalism is
03:52 - Scepticism, trust, and why digital news is so hard to believe
06:25 - The challenges facing editors in a speed-over-accuracy culture
08:48 - The shift toward clickbait and what happened to investigative journalism
11:35 - The rise of citizen journalism: democratisation or dangerous free-for-all?
13:55 - The role of AI in journalism: tool, threat, or both?
16:37 - The future of content creation in a world of infinite noise
19:14 - The ethics of AI in journalism: where are the lines?
21:19 - Substack and the future of individual journalism: salvation or fragmentation?
24:08 - How journalism has evolved in the digital age - for better and worse
30:15 - Media literacy and education: is it enough to save us?
37:08 - The role of public broadcasting in a fractured media landscape
42:50 - Is there genuine hope for the future of journalism?
45:18 - Curiosity as the most important skill a writer - or reader - can have
Guest links - John DeDakis
Website: https://johndedakis.com/
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B002BM6WM0
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dedakisjohn/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/john.dedakis
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/johndedakis.bsky.social
