ABSTRACT
The starting point is the assertion, graphically illustrated by the hostile reaction to journalists from crowds gathered outside the burnt-out shell of the Grenfell Tower, that today’s media have lost touch with local communities. But, what can journalism do to re-engage with people and regain trust? In this chapter, Jon Snow examines the possibilities for the future and considers whether the explosion of digital media has failed to fill the void that has been created by the collapse of the local newspaper industry. Arguing that social media has not fulfilled its promises of reconnecting communities, he maintains that media can no longer remain ignorant of the lives of others, that the news industry must widen its intake of new recruits to reflect better the people it reports on and open its doors to the unconventional, the different, and the diverse. Snow also argues that it is time for the media to be far bolder in calling out the blatant lies that characterised the US and EU referendum campaigns and work to foster media literacy across all sections of society. The chapter concludes with some personal reflections on the challenges facing journalism.
