Economic journalism vital for trust in digital age
Soledad Núñez, Deputy Governor of the Bank of Spain, emphasized the critical role of economic journalism in fostering public trust. Speaking at the APIE awards ceremony, Núñez highlighted the need for clear communication amidst technological changes and misinformation.
Institutions as pillars of trust
Deputy Governor Soledad Núñez congratulated the award winners and APIE for their initiative, highlighting the high standard of economic journalism.
She defined institutions as a sum of consistent procedures and behaviors that endure over time, requiring shared principles, defined objectives, and societal utility.
Núñez stressed that in a democracy, citizens must perceive institutions as serving them, essential for freedom and prosperity.
She underscored the importance of reinforcing credibility in a time of generalized crisis of confidence, urging institutions to listen and respond to public concerns.
Núñez noted the common ground between institutions like the Bank of Spain and economic journalism: both work with economics, a fundamental yet often technical and difficult subject for citizens to understand.
This shared challenge necessitates increasingly clear communication.
Navigating the digital information storm
Núñez explained that technological advancements have added new layers of complexity to communication.
Social media and Artificial Intelligence have accelerated information cycles, introduced new formats, and transformed the media ecosystem.
This transformation, she warned, has also opened the door to malicious agents seeking to confuse and disinform on sensitive financial matters.
Furthermore, the emergence of complex topics like digital currencies has heightened public interest, making clear explanations from reliable sources more crucial than ever.
Núñez asserted that technology's acceleration of these changes only amplifies the importance of human journalists in discerning truth from falsehood and significance from triviality.
Rigour is the antidote
In an era of algorithmic amplification of extremes, rigorous and well-researched journalism is an indispensable bulwark against confusion.
Núñez's call for institutions to be more open and transparent is a timely recognition of their shared responsibility with the media.
Ultimately, fostering public trust in complex economic realities demands a concerted effort from both sides of the news.