Srinagar, Aug. 9 -- The latest example came again from social media, where one content creator rushed to laud another, a Facebooker celebrated online as a sort of public savior, and anointed him a journalist.

His reasoning reeks of ignorance: The man had "stood out" in covering the recent rotten meat scandal, his voice booming in viral videos.

What this bromance conveniently skipped over was the fact that the first reports, investigations, and follow-ups came from trained reporters working in regulated newsrooms.

These journalists have degrees, editors, and a professional code. They did not need to shout into a phone camera to prove they were doing their jobs. They verified facts, consulted experts, and published their work. Then they ...