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WEST PALM BEACH, FL – There’s a power that comes with publishing that most people will never fully understand – unless they’ve had the experience of pushing the button and watching their words go live, not just on a website, but across a syndicated global news network. It’s a level of reach that turns an article into influence, a headline into a public perception, and a thought into a movement. I’ve experienced that firsthand. And I believe it’s time we start talking more seriously about the responsibility that must accompany such power.
Fifteen to twenty years ago, when I first stepped into the world of “news” publishing, not just publishing, but specifically “news publishing” I learned quickly that the ability to “go live” with a story meant more than just uploading content to a blog or website. Especially when that story becomes syndicated through Google News – the gold standard of information distribution, or even other large syndication platforms such as NewsBreak. Being included in Google News and more recently NewsBreak is nothing like posting on social media or hoping your article is found or ranks well one day. It’s an immediate pipeline to a global audience, with a reach comparable to that of The New York Times. That’s not hyperbole – it’s the modern reality of digital journalism.
I’ve run respected digital media properties, and I’ve owned domain names that sit at the forefront of news syndication and digital visibility where a message can travel across the globe literally in seconds. When you control the platform and have the credibility to be part of a news ecosystem such as that, you are — in that moment – a gatekeeper of public information. With one click, your story is out there, shaping what millions of people might read, believe, and share. That’s a tremendous privilege. It’s also a tremendous risk and tremendous responsibility.
This is why I believe it’s time for a serious national conversation about accountability in media. I am a strong supporter of the First Amendment. I believe in freedom of speech and, above all, the freedom of the press. These are foundational principles that must never be taken lightly or weakened. But freedom does not mean immunity from responsibility. When a journalist or media outlet knowingly publishes false information – with intent to deceive, distort, or manipulate – there should be meaningful consequences. Not just civil, but potentially criminal, if the harm is substantial and the deception intentional.
We hold businesses and individuals accountable for fraud, defamation, and misrepresentation. Why should the media – arguably the most powerful influencer of public thought – be any different when clearly acting in bad faith? The goal is not online censorship. The goal is ethical integrity.
Inclusion in platforms like Google News or news apps should come with more than algorithmic approval – it should come with a higher standard of truthfulness, a commitment to accuracy, and safeguards against the willful dissemination of disinformation. If we fail to recognize the magnitude of media power in the digital age, we risk letting the loudest voice become the most trusted one – even when it doesn’t deserve it.
A final point that deserves attention – particularly in the context of how narratives are shaped – is the structure of congressional hearings. These hearings don’t just play out in Washington; they often set the tone for the national news cycle. Clips from heated exchanges, soundbites from pointed questions, and carefully framed accusations frequently become headline news – sometimes without context or verification. Yet, while witnesses are sworn in and required to tell the truth under penalty of perjury, the members of Congress asking the questions are under no such obligation. They are not required to speak truthfully, and can present misleading premises, partisan narratives, or outright falsehoods that they are fully aware are false with no consequence. The result is a dangerous imbalance where the spectacle of the hearing can shape public perception – even when the foundation of that spectacle is not rooted in fact. If congressional hearings are going to continue to influence what the public sees and believes, then those asking the questions must be held to the same standard of truth as those answering them.
As someone who has lived on both sides of the publishing equation – as a publisher and a reader – I understand that the trust placed in us is not automatic. It must be earned, upheld, and protected. Not just by ethical standards, but by enforceable ones when the line is knowingly crossed.
In the end, being “master of my domain” is more than owning a web property – it’s understanding the weight of influence that comes with it. And that’s something we all need to take more seriously.
With great power comes great responsibility. The more power you possess, the greater your duty to use it wisely, justly, and with humility.
About The Author: John Colascione is Chief Executive Officer of SEARCHEN NETWORKS®. He specializes in Website Monetization, is a Google AdWords Certified Professional, authored a how-to book called ”Mastering Your Website‘, and is a key player in several online businesses.
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