Be Sherlock Holmes because Forensic Journalism is Rising in India

Daily, reporters are given problems to solve that may be easy, complicated or too baffling to figure out. Earlier, journalists usually relayed stories based on what they observed or heard. However, because of today’s overwhelming cases of fake news and deepfakes, journalists must do more than just present the facts. In order to be a good journalist, you must be a detective and look beyond the surface, like a true Sherlock Holmes, and that’s the essence of forensic journalism.

What is Forensic Journalism?

Suppose a jigsaw puzzle is given to you, but half of the pieces are gone and many are painted the wrong colour. While assembling the information for a story, forensic journalists look for additional pieces, confirm their accuracy and even try to determine who was involved in any deceit involved. Basically, they depend on science, tech and sharp investigation skills to reveal the answers to what is happening.

The tools used by Forensic Journalist

Like Sherlock Holmes had his magnifying glass and pipe, forensic journalists use various tools to do their work:

• Digital Forensics: They search for digital marks, sometimes seeing where a popular picture or video came from.
• Audio-Video Analysis: They monitor for any unusual activity, checking that the information is true.
• Legal Know-How: Because they understand media laws and ethics, their findings are accepted by the court if required.
• Fact-Checking: They check and confirm all the information, so nothing is assumed to be true.

Why is Forensic Journalism on the Rise in India?

There is a growth in the digital world in India along with more fake news. All the time, news and rumors, factual or not, circulate widely on social networks. This makes it difficult for regular people to distinguish between real and fake information. Here, forensic journalism plays the role of a truth serum for the media. Forensic science helps to identify what truly happened, keeps innocent people safe from traps and assists police in faster crime solving. 

For example, when such a video is shared widely, a forensic journalist does not simply pass it on. They examine the video’s information, listen for any changes in the audio and verify the place and time. It is only after all the facts are checked that they release their report for publishing.

Advice for Turning into a Newsroom Sherlock

If solving puzzles excites you and you wish to really influence people, forensic journalism could be the job for you. The National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) and some private universities like JECRC now have courses that bridge the gap between journalism and forensic science. They prepare you to detect misleading news, check source credibility and make use of advanced tech for checking information.

There Is A Promising Future for Those Aspiring to Be Detectives

The calling of forensic journalism is as important as its responsibilities. It means being honest in a world with thousands of lies spreading in seconds. Since the demand for skilled forensic journalists is growing, you now have a great opportunity to use your detective skills and enter the newsroom.

If you’re feeling ready to play detective in journalism, now is the time. Fantastic mysteries are around us; will you be the one to solve them? If yes, contact us for career counselling or simply take GMCET to start your career.