Journalism & News: From Fact-Checking to Attention-Seeking?

Journalism & News: From Fact-Checking to Attention-Seeking?

Author: Gareth King September 20, 2025 Duration: 48:22

It promised unlimited reach, direct engagement, and a more informed world. But has the internet instead devalued expertise, creating a ‘clicks and outrage’ economy where speed reigns over accuracy?

To help us get the full story, we’re joined by John DeDakis, an award-winning novelist, writing coach, public speaker, and former CNN Senior Copy Editor.

⁠https://johndedakis.com/⁠

⁠https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B002BM6WM0⁠

⁠https://www.instagram.com/dedakisjohn/⁠

⁠https://www.facebook.com/john.dedakis⁠

⁠https://bsky.app/profile/johndedakis.bsky.social

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 the show, let us know what else to look into at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.ruinedbytheinternet.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or support us at ⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/rbtishow⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, John DeDakis, a former CNN editor and current writing coach, discusses the profound changes in journalism brought about by the internet. He highlights the challenges of maintaining trust in news, the impact of AI and misinformation, and the importance of media literacy.

We also explore the need for public broadcasting and the role of citizen journalism in shaping the media landscape. DeDakis concludes with a hopeful outlook for the future of journalism, stressing the importance of curiosity and discernment in the pursuit of truth.

00:00 The Journey of a Journalist

02:16 The Impact of the Internet on Journalism

03:52 Skepticism and Trust in Digital News

06:25 Challenges for Editors in the Digital Age

08:48 The Shift Towards Clickbait and Investigative Journalism

11:35 The Rise of Citizen Journalism

13:55 The Role of AI in Journalism

16:37 The Future of Content Creation

19:14 The Ethics of AI and Journalism

21:19 Substack and the Future of Individual Journalism

24:08 The Evolution of Journalism in the Digital Age

30:15 The Importance of Media Literacy and Education

37:08 The Role of Public Broadcasting in Journalism

42:50 Hope for the Future of Journalism

45:18 Curiosity as a Key Skill for Writers


It’s a question that nags at anyone who’s ever felt a pang of nostalgia or a wave of digital fatigue: are we better or worse off because of our constant connection? Hosted by Gareth King, Ruined By The Internet? digs into that uneasy feeling, moving beyond simple headlines to explore how our online world actively moulds society, culture, and the texture of daily life. This isn’t about reviewing apps or gadgets; it’s about treating the digital realm as the pervasive environment it has become. Each episode features thoughtful conversations with leading thinkers and researchers from around the world, dissecting the real evidence behind our shared anxieties and hopes. You’ll hear nuanced discussions that ask whether the casualties we often blame on technology are inevitable, or if we’re simply misdiagnosing deeper societal shifts. This podcast provides a space for considered reflection, offering listeners a clearer lens through which to view their own place in a world that is, for better or worse, thoroughly wired.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 26

Ruined By The Internet? - Uncovering the human cost of our digital world
Podcast Episodes
The Internet: A Corporate Hijacking of Digital Freedom? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:05
The internet was supposed to be where the free exchange of knowledge and ideas happened. Instead, it’s become a place increasingly controlled by a few companies, leading to the regular suppression of inconvenient or unpo…
Truly Disappearing: Powering Our Own Perpetual Surveillance? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:56
The internet has given us unprecedented connection, but thanks to relentless data retention and constant tracking of our every digital move, is it now virtually impossible to shed our old identity and start a new life un…
Social Interaction: The Digital Erasure of Presence? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:25
With its constant presence and insatiable demand for attention, has the internet invaded our offline spaces, diminishing our ability to be truly present, and eroding the quality of our in-person experiences?To help us un…
Music: An Algorithmic Burial of Human Artists? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:12
It promised to empower artists and give listeners infinite choice. But has the internet turned music into a disposable commodity, replaced human curation with algorithms, and made it impossible for most artists to earn a…
Gambling: Optimised for Frictionless Financial Mayhem? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:22
It promised to modernise an age-old activity, bringing new convenience to a quick thrill. But has the internet instead delivered a predatory, 24/7 addiction machine that exploits our psychology with algorithms, leading t…
The Human Identity: Authenticity or Algorithmic Performance? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:24
It promised a world of self-expression and connection. But has the internet instead encouraged us to create performative versions of ourselves; curated by algorithms and validated by likes?To help us find the reality, we…
Human Resources: The Era of Digital Reductionism? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:01
It promised to make things more efficient, objective, and data-driven, but has the internet instead turned a human-centric discipline into an automated, impersonal system with new ethical and privacy concerns?To help us…
Video Games: From Finished Art to Perpetual Product? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:21
Through predatory monetisation, rushed development, and profits over player enjoyment, has the joy and escapism of video games been lost?To give us a walkthrough, we’re joined by Steve Wright, owner and Editor-in-Chief o…
Broadcast Television: The Digital Dismantling of an Entire Industry? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:46
By replacing linear, scheduled programming with huge libraries of on-demand content, have the business models and power structures of traditional tv been toppled for good?To help us see the full picture, we’re joined by…
The Job Hunt: Built to Harvest Data, not People? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:33
It was once a very human-centric process. But for so many of us, has the internet transformed looking for work into an automated, opaque, and intensely competitive digital gauntlet?To help us unpack what’s going on, we’r…