Some readers wondered whether my reading of the crisis in the news media is about journalism or about the news industry. Though the fortunes of the news industry have a bearing on journalism, there is, indeed, a difference between looking at issues that govern journalism and the factors that contribute to the financial stress of the media industry. Over the last few years, I have been discussing the impact of digitalisation on journalism. The pandemic has accelerated the process of digital transformation of the news media. Therefore, these issues need close scrutiny. One of the defining elements of analog journalism was the way two crucial functions of journalism — bearing witness and making sense — complemented each other and helped people make informed choices. When I talk about the strength of analog, I am neither romanticising the past nor am I a Luddite. Most importantly, I do not believe in nostalgia. Many scholars have established ―how rose-coloured glasses always leads to an unfair distortion — looking back on the best of the past while comparing it to the worst of the present.‖ Hence, when I talk about the digital information news environment, I am talking about how there needs to be a conducive atmosphere for credible information to resonate with the people. Literature on misinformation, disinformation and malinformation reveals a new distinction in the minds of the citizens. Editors and journalists have to contend with a new breed of sceptics. These are the people who trust social media forwards more than evidence-based, data-driven journalism. Their confirmation bias flows from encrypted social media platforms that are full of conspiracy theories.
[Excerpt from an Article by A.S. Panneerselvan, The Hindu, dated August 10, 2020]

Which of the following conveys the main idea expressed in the passage?

The correct answer is: Social media journalism distorts the truth.

Step-by-Step Explanation and Logical Reasoning:

1. Analyze the Context of the Passage:
The author discusses the transition from analog journalism to digital information environments and highlights the key challenges facing modern journalism. Specifically, the text points out that in the current digital landscape, editors and journalists must contend with a "new breed of sceptics" who place trust in social media forwards over evidence-based, data-driven journalism.

2. Evaluate the Impact of Social Media:
The passage emphasizes that these social media platforms are encrypted and filled with conspiracy theories, leading to confirmation bias among readers. This strongly supports the idea that unverified information circulated as journalism on social media distorts truth and objective reality.

3. Evaluate the Given Options:
- Option 1: "Those who subscribe to newspapers are sceptics." — Incorrect. The passage states that the sceptics are people who trust social media forwards more than evidence-based journalism, not traditional newspaper subscribers.
- Option 2: "Those who subscribe to newspapers and news channels often contribute in distortion of the truth." — Incorrect. The passage identifies encrypted social media platforms, not subscribers of traditional newspapers or news channels, as the main drivers of misinformation and conspiracy theories.
- Option 3: "Social media journalism distorts the truth." — Correct. This directly summarizes the author's primary concern regarding how confirmation bias and conspiracy theories spread on digital/social media platforms, thereby distorting credible information.
- Option 4: "All of the above." — Incorrect, since Options 1 and 2 are untrue.

Thus, the main idea of the passage is accurately captured by the statement that Social media journalism distorts the truth.