‘Tweet’ is the New Print
Much has changed over time in the way news is delivered. Instead of picking up a newspaper to catch up on the previous day’s events, audiences are turning to social media, and they are turning quickly.
Many rely on social media for breaking news. Journalists have adapted to the mobile-first format of news delivery by creating a presence online and releasing the latest updates on their profiles.
For example, sports journalist Josina Anderson uses her platforms to share breaking news in sports, from trades to contract details.
Anderson keeps her Twitter updates concise, easy for the readers digest and often responds to comments, despite having almost 180,000 followers.
This keeps her audience coming back for more quick and accurate information on sports.
With such easy access to several social platforms, journalists are no longer the only producers of newsworthy content. Audiences can now chime in with their own tweets, posts, and stories to inform their communities. As a result, news can reach more people in less time.
But journalists still play a vital role by verifying and fact-checking, as content shared to social media by audiences may not always be completely accurate.
The shift from traditional forms of news to a digital-only format has allowed audiences to become more active. They can engage in two-way communication with the journalist, and have a voice in the topics covered in stories.
Reporters have began working with the audience to ensure they share relevant and interesting news, as the consumers have become gatekeepers to an extent.
To keep up, journalists increasingly utilize social media sites by posting news on these platforms first, and encouraging engagement from their followers.
Journalists will continue to adapt to these changes, as the end goal is sharing valuable information with as many as possible.
