Hacking has become a very present help in times of need to the journalists of today. But is it really helping the news to be more relevant or is it worsening the problem in the journalism industry?
It is one major part of a journalist's job to assure the delivery of fresh, accurate and reliable news report, whether it may be on television in print or in online publications. The rule is always to cite the source.
But because the competition between journalist's news impact is very high, the uniqueness of the story is what matters the most. That is why some news researchers would resort to hacking as one of their sources.
Hacking, a process wherein confidential data are taken without permission from the owner has been rocking the news industry for years now. Hackers are not bound by the rules and journalists ethics because their identities are hidden that is why they operate beyond what a usual journalist would do without the worry of consequences, The Columbia Journalism Review reported.
Through their self-given freedom, hackers are able to provide information on certain news beyond what are already being aired, enticing journalists to use their unique resources.
Hacking, however, puts the name and the reputation of a journalist at risk. Hackers may have a unique information, but the reliability of their information can be half truth or under-represented.
A recent hacking incident on Bernie Sanders happened when a hacker accessed the emails owned by the presidential candidate asking DNC chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz and vice chair Tulsi Gabbard to resign.
The hacking was believed to be done by his political opponents but was identified to be done by hackers supported by the Russian government.
This type of hacking is alarming as it signals a foreign influence trying to invade the US presidential elections.
Kathleen Culver, director for Journalism Ethics at the University of Wisconsin Center reminds journalists to be cautious of their sources and think about the motivations of the source, The News Ok reported.
Watch this video for more on how hackers do their hacking business.
