The intersection between power and information: an analysis of the strategic value of journalism and professional qualification

Abstract

This article analyzes the strategic role of journalism in contemporary society, considering its historical development, its relationship with power structures, and its function within the information society. Based on a technical-scientific approach, it discusses how journalism has become established as a fundamental social institution for mediating the relationship between the State and society, influencing the formation of public opinion and the construction of social reality, drawing on theories such as agenda-setting and framing. The study also examines current challenges, including the credibility crisis, the spread of disinformation, and the precarization of working conditions, highlighting the importance of verification-based practices such as fact-checking and data journalism, as well as the impact of digital technologies such as artificial intelligence and big data. Furthermore, it emphasizes the training of new journalists as a strategic imperative, advocating for a multidisciplinary education that integrates theoretical foundations, technical skills, and ethical principles, as well as stronger coordination between academia and the labor market. Finally, the article reaffirms the relationship between journalism, democracy, and citizenship, concluding that professional qualification is essential to ensure the quality of information and the strengthening of democratic institutions.